Forestry

Examples of Forestry Projects:

Muckley Corner -

This project involves a combination of landscape improvements, including woodland creation and management, as well as heathland restoration. The Forest of Mercia has been involved with the physical improvements to the Common and has supported the development of a new Friends Group for Muckley Corner. This project is an excellent example of how the Forest of Mercia works in partnership with other groups and organisations, as Lichfield District Council, Wall Parish Council and the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust are all partners in this project, alongside the newly formed Muckley Corner Friends Group.

 

             

 

"The support given has been much appreciated by us and the local community. The benefit we have felt from the Forest of Mercia team is the hands-on practical support offered, coupled with the technical advice we have accessed. We are making headway with the Muckley Corner Common project and we would not be achieving this without the Forest of Mercia team." John Crowe - Chair of Wall Parish Council

Laburnum Avenue -

Barry and Chris have worked on this site improving public access and clearing the waterway which runs through it for wildlife and habitat benefits through felling and strimming work. They have generally worked towards enhancing the area for the local communities to use and enjoy. Earlier this year, before work could even start the Forestry team collected a total of 35 refuse bags full of rubbish from the site. Those on the Forest of Mercia Education Inclusion Project have also contributed to work undertaken on this site, through making improvements to the pathways on site. Work continues on this site for the benefit of the environment and for the people who live in the local area.

            

 

For a really up to date picture of Forestry projects and site work please see the quarterly report below

 Forestry Report May 2011

Tree Wardens

Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council has recently established a new Tree Warden Programme which the Forest of Mercia project has been supporting.  We assist the Urban Tree Officer every other Tuesday to deliver practical and theoretical activities based around the establishment and maintenance of trees in public places.   These sessions have attracted keen interest from Walsall residents who want to have an input in establishing a good tree cover to benefit from the environmental benefits that trees provide.

Forestry Activities

Chris and Barry, the Forest of Mercia Foresters, have been hard at work on a number of sites throughout the area.  This has included spot spraying at Clayhanger and Muckley Corner Common, strimming on the Timberland Trail, Wimblebury Mound, Brownshore Pools and Sevens Road, and site surverys at Reedswood Park, Kingwood Lakeside and Barnfield Sandbeds, along with heathland management at Gentleshaw Common.

The Forestry Team has also taken on responsibility for the ongoing maintenance of the Washery Pool/The Swag near Burntwood on behalf of Staffordshire County Council.  This work involves monthly site inspections to ensure the site is safe, undertaking regular risk assessments and, of course, carrying out all of the practical maintenance required.