Practical techniques for surveying and monitoring squirrels

Practical surveying and monitoring techniques are essential for anyone involved in studying or managing squirrel populations in forests and woodland in Britain. Survey methods can be used to establish the presence of squirrels in a particular area and, if used systematically, can detect significant changes in the distribution or abundance of populations and species over […]

Managing the Pine Weevil on Lowland Pine

The pine weevil Hylobius abietis is a common cause of mortality in young conifers used to restock forest sites after clearfelling. This Practice Note looks at minimising the use of insecticides for the control of pine weevils by adopting an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach.

Managing Brash on Conifer Clearfell Sites

This Practice Note gives guidance on the range of available options for brash management, and the possible consequences of each option.

Establishment and management of short rotation coppice

This Practice Note reviews existing knowledge and gives guidance on site selection and preparation, plantation design, planting, weed control, crop management, pest management and yield for short rotation coppice plantations of willow and poplar grown as sources of renewable energy. Comprehensive references are included should readers require more information. Applicants to DEFRA’s Energy Crop Scheme […]

Handling and storing acorns & chestnuts and sycamore fruits

The fruits of oaks, chestnuts and sycamore are extremely perishable. They are shed at a high moisture content and, unlike most fruits and seeds, are killed by very little drying. They are also frequently infected with fungi which thrive in the moist conditions necessary to avoid dehydration damage. The best advice is to nursery sow […]

Nant-yr-Hwch long-term forest design plan: an example of good practice from the private sector

[Due to the large size of this document, a PDF file is not available]

Managing deer in the countryside

This Note provides information on: identifying whether there are deer present and of which species; deciding whether deer are causing damage; the ways in which deer problems can be prevented and knowing where to go for more advice.

Using local stock for planting native trees and shrubs

This Note describes a system intended to facilitate the identification of, and trade in, locally sourced stock for the planting of native species of trees and shrubs in Britain.

Recommendations for fallow, roe and muntjac deer fencing: new proposals for temporary and reusable fencing

This Practice Note presents the recommendations resulting from research work into reducing the cost of deer fencing without compromising on efficiency.

Nearest neighbour method for quantifying wildlife damage to trees in woodland

This Practice Note discusses in detail the nearest neighbour method and its use as a decision-making tool for wildlife management.

The prevention of rabbit damage to trees in woodland

Rabbits have increased considerably in numbers in the British countryside. This Note gives a brief description of the problems associated with rabbits and summarises the control methods available.

The prevention of mammal damage to trees in woodland

This note is designed to help woodland managers diagnose mammal damage, to evaluate its severity, to consider management options and to determine the appropriate action to take. Suggested sources of more detailed information on damage control operations are included.