Caring for our forests and woodlands

Trees are vital to people, wildlife and the environment. Trees help to slow the flow of water, play a vital role in flood prevention and improve water quality. Root systems allow water to penetrate deep into the soil helping to prevent runoff, filtering water and stabilising banksides to prevent erosion. Rainfall onto leaf canopies is slower than on bare ground, again slowing the flow. South West Lakes Trust manages orchards, broadleaf woodlands and conifer, all of which have a value, environmentally, socially and economically. 

Woodlands need management to remain healthy. Humans have altered habitats to such an extent that in the absence of a natural, balanced ecosystem we need to do much of the management ourselves.

A variety of species and age classes is essential for resilience against pests and disease, effective habitat functioning and to provide habitat for wildlife. When a woodland is planted all at the same time there is no diversity in age class. This can be overcome through selectively thinning the trees to allow light to get to the woodland floor.

Also, veteranisation, prematurely ageing, of some trees encourages standing and fallen deadwood, vital for many species such as invertebrates and fungi. You will often see trees on the ground in our woods and may wonder why we haven’t cleared it up. Woods shouldn’t be tidy places and this fallen deadwood is just as important as the standing trees.  

There are many pests and diseases which trees can be affected by and there are occasions when the felling of trees is necessary to help prevent their spread. Statutory Plant Health Notices (SPHN) can be issued by Forestry Commission or Animal and Plant Health Agency when a notifiable pest or disease is identified. The landowner has a legal obligation to adhere to the Notice which usually means felling the affected trees. When this happens, we work to ensure the woodland can recover, often involving new tree planting or natural regeneration.  

Fallen deadwood at Burrator Reservoir on Dartmoor

Young trees planted in October 2025

Venford Forest

South West Lakes Trust has moved to continuous cover forestry, and we carry out selective felling of trees to manage the woods and limit the amount of bare ground. Replanting trees on our commercial forestry sites, such as Burrator and Roadford, is an important part of the UK forestry industry to help maintain supplies of timber. Several thousand mixed conifer species are currently growing and we harvest the trees as a crop when they reach rotation, the point at which the trees have reached optimum height and quality.

Some sites are transitioning to mixed native broadleaf to enable us to diversify our forestry work and look to alternative income streams. Replanting of mixed native broadleaf has taken place at Slew Woods, Crowdy Reservoir and Venford Reservoir. We are exploring diversification opportunities such as coppicing, rural crafts, forestry courses and traditional skills training. 

How does South West Lakes Trust select sites for new tree planting?

Sites for new tree planting are carefully selected ensuring the areas to be planted will be enhanced with the addition of trees, and able to support species present or likely to expand into the area. It is vital we are not planting on sensitive sites or where there is a risk of having negative impacts on species and habitats. We value our stakeholders for their knowledge and advice as we work together to make the most appropriate decisions for each site.  

Trees afford aesthetic value to our visitors. Hedge creation on two of our campsites, Roadford and Stithians, provide screening round pitches and additional connective habitat and food resources for birds, small mammals and invertebrates. Once established these new hedges will provide added interest for visitors further engaging them in the landscape and wildlife on the sites. 

Woodlands and trees deliver benefits to wildlife, providing additional habitat and food sources, as well as helping to sequester carbon, offsetting our carbon emissions. They provide us with multiple environmental benefits on the sites we manage. Societal benefits range from increased engagement with the natural world through volunteering and engagement activities. Water quality is improved, helping South West Water to provide clean drinking water and vital income for the charity can be realised through forward thinking and diverse planting schemes to take advantage of the wide range of opportunities offered by the countryside skills sector. We love trees! 

March 2026