Managing the trees

Although some trees can look healthy they can often hide problems. To detect issues at an early stage, the rangers undertake regular tree health surveys. This helps to determine their health and whether any action needs to be taken. 

Felling and thinning

It may seem extreme to fell what looks like a healthy tree or branch. The decision is based on a number of factors including visitor safety, woodland structure enhancement and habitat improvement.

In some cases we need to thin small areas where there has been extensive squirrel damage causing the trees to become weak or where there is fungal disease. 

Tree surgery

Some of the larger trees are climbed and worked on by specialist tree surgeons. They're able to reduce the crown of the tree by removing the worst affected branches. This reduces the need for the whole tree to be cut down.

When the trees come back into leaf in the spring, it's diffcult to spot the work that's taken place over the winter.