How do you manage your woodlands?
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust has been managing woodlands for over 50 years. Our aim is to manage them so that they can be retained as a wooded site for future generations.
To ensure the future of woodlands they need to produce saplings that will grow on to form the woodland canopy as other trees mature and start to die back. Sensitive management can help this natural process by creating woodland glades by clearing individual trees or small groups of trees. Once the canopy is more open, more light reaches the ground, this in turn encourages tree seedlings to germinate and grow towards the light. These areas are generally of more value to wildlife since there are different ‘layers’ of trees and shrubs within the woodland to provide homes for different animals.
We try to retain as much dead wood as possible to provide homes for insects, bats and birds such as woodpeckers and owls. Sadly, sometimes we may have fell trees when they can be a danger to the public because of damage or disease. We try to do this as little as possible for safety reasons.
We may also plant trees to create new areas of woodland for birds and insects and for people to enjoy the peace and tranquillity. Trees such as will and black poplar in floodplains act as natural flood management, slowing down flash floods and protecting urban areas downstream. Trees above water courses can also cool the temperatures of rivers and streams during heat waves, providing areas for fish to take refuge.
How many trees do you plant each year?
- Over last 5 years: over 25,000 trees
- Average per year: 5,000 though can vary year to year
- Planted in 25/26: 7,500
What type of trees do you plant?
We plant native trees such as oak, holly, hazel, rowan, hawthorn, willow, and black poplar.
What does my donation contribute to?
We spend £25,000 a year on tree maintenance and planting.
We designate your donation towards tree planting. It will help us choose the most appropriate trees for the location, use the most sustainable choice of materials, cover the costs of tools and the staff and volunteers who plant and tend them. It also helps to meet our tree management costs.
Our trustees retain discretion to apply funds where they can achieve the greatest charitable impact, but as you have advised us of the purpose of your donation this will be our priority.
Will the donation value change?
We review the costs of tree planting annually. If there is a substantial uplift, we will increase the value of the donation we ask for.
Can I gift aid my donation?
If you are an individual donating, you can gift aid your donation.
Will I get a specific tree and a plaque?
To keep our woodlands as natural as possible, we do not allocate specific tree/s or display plaques.
Can I place items by a tree/s?
No. For the protection of wildlife and enjoyment of others, we ask that no memorials such as plaques, flowers and cards are left in the woods. Where we come across such items regrettably, they are removed.
Can my tree be used for carbon offsetting?
Our tree planting scheme does not offer the opportunity to offset your carbon footprint. But of course, the trees will help absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen and lock away carbon, combatting climate change.