The concept of wood pasture emerged during medieval times in England. It was an integral part of the feudal system, where the ruling nobility and the church owned large tracts of land.
These areas were often managed as wood pastures, providing both timber and forage for animals.
Not all wood pasture or parkland has the same origin. Some started life as medieval hunting grounds or wooded commons, while others are designed landscapes on large estates. However they came into being, they are some of the best places to find ancient and veteran trees.
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What Exactly is Wood Pasture?
Wood Pasture is typically characterised by very big, very old trees growing in open pasture land. Originally it may have been part of a royal forest a wooded common or medieval deer park.
Wood pasture, essentially a land management system combining woodland with grazing areas, has been a fundamental part of the English landscape for centuries.
It originated in a time when the feudal system dominated, with land owned by nobility and the church, who managed these areas for multiple uses. In these pastoral settings, ancient trees, particularly oaks, beeches, and yews, were a common sight. These trees, often centuries old, were not only valuable for their wood but also played a crucial ecological role.
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The practice of pollarding, cutting back tree branches to a height out of the reach of grazing livestock, was widely employed in wood pastures. This technique not only sustained the health and longevity of the trees but also provided fodder for animals and wood for human use.
During the medieval period, wood pastures were an integral part of rural life, providing resources essential for survival and economic activity.
However, with the advent of the Agricultural Revolution in the 18th century, there was a shift towards more intensive land use. The Enclosure Acts, which privatised and divided common lands, led to the significant reduction of wood pastures.
Wood Pasture Full of Pollards
Pollarding, a traditional method of tree management practiced extensively in England, serves several purposes, each integral to both environmental sustainability and practical utility.
The primary goal of pollarding is to control the size of trees, especially in urban or populated areas where large trees might pose risks due to falling branches or interfere with infrastructure like buildings and power lines.
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In historical contexts, particularly in rural settings, pollarding was a sustainable method for harvesting wood from trees without causing their demise. The wood procured through this practice was essential for various needs, including fuel, fencing, and crafting tools, at a time when wood was a crucial resource.
Another significant use of pollarding in the past was fodder production. The new shoots and leaves that sprout following pollarding provided nutritious feed for livestock, particularly in the winter months when other food sources were scarce.
‘Heading’
The method of pollarding is both meticulous and cyclic. Initially conducted when a tree is relatively young, the first cut or ‘heading’ is made at a height of around 6-10 feet from the ground, a strategic choice to ensure new growth remains out of the reach of grazing animals.
After this initial cut, the tree responds by producing new growth from the cut point. This new growth is allowed to mature for a set number of years, 10, 20, 30 years, depending on the species and desired outcome, after which it is cut back to the original point.
Read More: What is Secondary Woodland?
The views of John Evelyn and agricultural writersIn the first edition of Sylva of 1664, Evelyn declared that he was ‘not a great friend’ of pollarding because ‘it makes so many scrags and dwarfes of many Trees which wouldelse be good Timber’
This cycle of regrowth and cutting is an ongoing process that continues throughout the life of the tree. Typically, pollarding is carried out in the late winter or early spring months, a timing that coincides with the tree’s dormant period before the sap rises. This timing is crucial to the health and recovery of the tree.
The frequency of the pollarding cycle varies depending on the tree species and specific management goals.
Head Cut Off
In the following editions of Sylva, Evelyn modified his initial text using the works of contemporary authors. In the edition of 1669, Evelyn adds: ‘The Oak will sufferit self to be made a Pollard, that is, to have its head quite cut off’ (1669: 141) and in 1706‘ and it may be good for Mast, if not too much prun’d, but not for Timber (1706: 208).
Some trees may be pollarded annually, while others may have a longer interval between cuttings. Proper tools, such as pruning saws or secateurs, are essential to ensure clean cuts, which are vital for healthy regrowth and disease prevention.
The angle and position of the cuts are carefully considered to guide new growth and maintain the structural integrity of the tree.
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Effective pollarding requires a deep understanding of tree biology to ensure that cuts stimulate healthy regrowth without damaging the tree. Improper techniques can lead to suboptimal regrowth, increased susceptibility to diseases, or even the tree’s death.
After pollarding, the tree may require additional care, such as protection from pests or diseases that could exploit the fresh cuts, and the surrounding area is often managed to protect the new growth from damage.
A Valuable Resource
Ecologically wood pasture is a valuable resource. Veteran trees are important anyway, but they also provide a home and food for thousands of species, many of which are among the UK’s most rare and threatened.
The naturally occurring deadwood in the trees provides a valuable habitat for specialist fungi, which in turn encourages invertebrates that need deadwood to survive. This leads to rot holes developing which are used by nesting birds, epiphytic plants and roosting bats.
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As trees grow differently in open conditions than closed canopy woodland, the crowns become wider and more complex and as a consequence will usually support more species than woodland trees. As they also often live longer in the open, this means consistent larger volumes of dead wood.
Wood Pasture and Wildlife
Wood pastures hold immense ecological significance, particularly as unique habitats for a wide array of wildlife.
These landscapes, characterised by their blend of open grasslands and scattered trees, often ancient or veteran, create a mosaic of habitats that support diverse biological communities. The ancient trees within wood pastures are particularly valuable for wildlife.
Their age and the traditional management practice of pollarding mean these trees develop features like hollow trunks, large limbs, and cavities that are ideal for a variety of species. These trees become vital nesting, roosting, and foraging sites for birds, bats, and insects, especially those that depend on old wood and tree cavities.
Read More: Ancient Woodland Indicators
The dead wood and decaying matter associated with these old trees also provide a rich habitat for fungi and invertebrates, forming the basis of a complex food web.
The open grassy areas, maintained through grazing, add another layer of habitat diversity. These areas are crucial for ground-nesting birds and support a range of plant species, which in turn attract pollinators and other insects.
Seasonal Variations
The dynamic interaction between the wooded areas and open land in wood pastures allows for the existence of species that require multiple habitats or benefit from the edge effect, where two habitat types meet.
Moreover, wood pastures often include features like ponds or wet areas, which enhance the habitat diversity further, supporting amphibians and aquatic insects. Seasonal variations in these landscapes offer resources for migratory species and transient wildlife populations.
Read More: Forest Law Was Hated by the Medieval Commoner
In today’s context, as natural habitats face increasing pressure from human activities, wood pastures serve as vital refuges for wildlife, offering resources that are becoming scarce in the wider landscape.
Their unique combination of habitat types supports a wide range of wildlife, making them indispensable in efforts to conserve the natural heritage and maintain ecological balance.
Threats To Wood Pasture
Modern-day wood pastures, significant for their ecological and cultural value, are facing an array of threats largely stemming from contemporary environmental and societal changes.
One of the primary challenges is agricultural intensification, which often leads to the conversion of these habitats into more productive agricultural land.
This process typically involves the removal of the ancient and veteran trees that are crucial to the character and ecology of wood pastures.
Read More: A Guide to the Wildflowers of our Ancient Woodlands
Another significant issue is the decline in traditional management practices such as pollarding and controlled grazing. These practices are vital for maintaining the ecological balance of wood pastures, and their absence can lead to overgrown and ecologically impoverished landscapes.
Pollution
Urbanisation and infrastructural development also pose a major threat, leading to the direct loss of these habitats and fragmenting the landscape, thereby hindering the movement and survival of wildlife.
Climate change exacerbates these challenges, with extreme weather events, shifting temperature and precipitation patterns, and an increase in tree diseases and pests, all of which can adversely affect the health of wood pastures.
Pollution, particularly from air and soil contaminants, further threatens these ecosystems by altering soil chemistry and damaging sensitive veteran trees.
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The introduction and spread of invasive species is another concern, as these can outcompete native flora and fauna, leading to a decrease in biodiversity.
Recreational pressures, while highlighting the public’s need for green spaces, can also result in physical damage to these habitats, such as soil compaction and disturbance to wildlife.
Moreover, there’s often a lack of awareness about the significance of wood pastures, leading to insufficient legal protection and conservation efforts. Changes in livestock grazing patterns, whether it’s overgrazing or undergrazing, can also impact the delicate balance of these ecosystems.
