Any of you going down to the woods this since August the 17th will (I hope) have seen the big red fire advice notices. We’ve been lucky so far, but the heat may well continue as although it’s cooler (and we even had a slight shower overnight), there’s been nothing like the rainfall we need to move us out of risk, and as I’m writing this, no certainty of getting it. So please carry on taking precautions against doing anything that might start a blaze, and do contact the emergency services if you do spot smoke or the smallest blaze if you’re out and about wherever the ground is still dry and parched.

Meanwhile, while we have a management plan, we have not had a specific section relating to extreme weather conditions, as recommended by the Forestry Commission in April this year, so we will consult their advice and developing our own. You can read the whole advice by going to: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-respond-to-and-prepare-woodlands-for-extreme-weather

How to respond to and prepare woodlands for extreme weather

Step 1: ensure your safety

When responding to an extreme weather event, safety is paramount. To ensure your safety:

• do not enter the woodland until the weather event has passed or emergency services confirm access is safe
• assess access routes for hazards such as standing dead, windblown, snapped or fallen trees, damaged powerlines, flooded roads and landslips
• consider whether you need specialist support before entering

Step 2: assess the damage

After assessing the woodland and it is confirmed as safe, you can:

• survey the extent of damage to your trees, paths, fences, infrastructure and utilities
• photograph and document affected areas to evidence damage
• identify any immediate hazards and their risks to neighbouring land, roads or utilities

Step 3: report and notify

You should contact:

• your local authority if fallen trees are blocking public rights of way
• relevant utilities if power lines, substations or infrastructure are affected
• your insurance provider

Step 4: prioritise clearance work

To take action to clear the damage caused by an extreme weather event:

• clear access routes and public paths first
• ensure you use skilled, trained chainsaw operators to remove windblown trees as they are more hazardous to work on compared to normal tree felling
• you typically do not need a felling licence if you are removing dangerous trees as a result of extreme weather events. Check when you need to apply for a felling licence
• remove dangerous hanging branches and seek professional help if needed
• stack or process fallen timber safely

Step 5: review your woodland management plan

• update your plan to reflect changes to your woodland’s structure
• consider whether replanting or natural regeneration is more likely to deliver the fastest and most effective restoration of your woodland
• check if you need to amend any existing felling licences or grant agreements

Step 6: seek support and funding

We recommend that you:

• check for grants to support replanting or restoration work
• speak to your local Woodland Officer for further support and expert advice

Enjoy the woods, but take care & stay safe.