Native Woodland Planting Consultation

Northumberland National Park Authority New Native Woodland Consultation: Linhope Estate

Northumberland National Park Authority (NNPA) works with land owners and land managers to deliver integrated land management within the National Park. Plans for managing both the existing woodlands and creating new woodlands form part of this work.

NNPA has a target in its current Management Plan to create 150 ha of new native woodland within the National Park over the next three years. The reasons for this being the high biodiversity and landscape value such woodlands have as well as their ability to store carbon and water. Woodland planting and management can also contribute to the local economy through provision of employment, goods and services.

NNPA has also made a commitment to consult local people on any significant proposals for land use change within the National Park. We would therefore welcome feedback on the proposals for approximately 114 ha of new native woodland on Linhope Estate, detailed below and on the accompanying maps.

Comments will be considered by NNPA Officers and Members in making their decision as to whether to endorse the current proposals or request amendments.

Please send any comments, in writing, by 10th September, to:

Mary Gough
Farming and Rural Enterprise Officer
Northumberland National Park Authority
Church House
Rothbury
NE65 7UP

E-mail:mary.gough@nnpa.org.uk

Linhope New Native Woodland Planting Proposals

Map 1 shows the existing woodlands present on Linhope Estate and their composition

Map 2 shows the areas where new native woodlands are proposed to be planted in the next three years

Map 3 shows the existing and proposed woodland on the same map.

Planting within the areas shown will be done in such a way as to create as natural effect as possible. Trees will be planted in scattered clumps with fewer trees at the edges on higher ground to avoid hard geometric lines.

Woody shrubs will be positioned at the edges of the plantings to soften the planting. Species planted will be those associated with upland woodland that occurs naturally in the area: rowan, birch, sessile oak, goat willow, eared willow, aspen, hawthorn, hazel, holly and juniper. A scattering of Scots pine will be included in some of the areas.

Tree and shrub species will be positioned according to soil type and ground conditions with rocky outcrops, boggy areas and archaeological sites left unplanted. Some new stock fences will need to be erected to protect the trees from livestock. No deer fences will be put up. Trees will be protected by using 1.2m tree tubes and shrubs with appropriately sized shrub guards.

Many of the proposed new areas of woodland are extensions of native woodlands that have been planted in the last few years. The proposed new woods would be planted at 715 trees per hectare - a much lower density than the previous woodlands to enhance their value for species such as black grouse. 25% of the area will be planted with woody shrubs and a further 35% left as open ground.