Ian Bromley Reflects on Rewarding Project in Greater London

A rewarding project, by Ian Bromley, Euroforest's Area Manager for Kent & Sussex

Ian Bromley, Euroforest’s Area Manager for Kent & Sussex reflects on a rewarding project he completed in a small woodland on the edge of a residential area in Greater London.  

Ian worked closely with the woodland owners throughout the duration of the project, ensuring its much respected features were protected whilst tackling some advanced ash dieback and restructuring the current woodlands condition.

Taking a moment to reflect on the various aspects of this job I realised it’s not always the largest projects or the most productive that can be the most rewarding. Earlier this year I completed a harvesting job in Greater London tackling some advanced ash dieback within a small woodland on the edge of a residential area.  

It was clear to me from the first meeting that the owners valued their woodland greatly but recognised that something needed to be done to rejuvenate the ash areas and restructure the current woodland condition. After meeting and talking through the various objectives and options, I drew up a proposal including regeneration felling of dead/dying ash as well as thinning the remaining woodland; retaining some veteran trees that were of local historical importance and tackling some tree safety issues. The owners were involved in each stage of the process and were satisfied with the working plan and the balance between tackling the dying ash and maintaining the most valuable features of the woodland.

I carried out TPO and Felling Licence applications and after liaison with the local council and Forestry Commission Woodland Officers, work began in February using RAC Forestry. Roundwood timber from the harvesting was graded into biomass and firewood – the former generating energy at Kent Renewable Energy (KRE) and the latter being sold to local firewood merchants in Kent. Following harvesting, ash lop and top was collected and extracted to roadside for on-site chipping and subsequent energy generation at KRE – a great way of clearing the site ready for subsequent restocking and natural regeneration.  

After investigating the state of the ash roots and stumps I found the quality was suitable to be exported as hurley sticks. This is a more involved process involving inspection and measuring of each stump before felling, however it yields a high value product and an increased financial return to the owners enabling them the resources to carry out further projects within the woodland.

Reinstatement of the site by Sovereign Forestry took place within two weeks of works being completed and timber being uplifted leaving the paths cleared for access and the site ready for replanting where necessary. Now I look forward to seeing how the woodland responds to more light and space in the months to come.