The Dartington Estate has begun work on a significant woodland management project as part of a long-term plan to revitalise North Woods. Originally planted in the 1940s for commercial forestry, much of the woodland consists of coniferous trees intended for future harvesting. In 2018, the Dartington Trust enlisted the Forestry Commission to develop a 10-year management plan, which is now being implemented.
The plan involves thinning parts of the coniferous woodland to allow selected trees to grow to their full potential and thrive for generations. Some areas will be replanted with broadleaf trees to promote natural succession, ultimately boosting biodiversity. While the initial changes may appear dramatic, the transformation will create a rich habitat for wildlife.
The Trust has partnered with Devon-based Weeks Forestry, a company with three generations of expertise in forestry management, to carry out the work. Starting this month, the team will work from 8am to 6pm over the next three weeks, beginning in the area around Huxham’s Cross, focusing on Western Red Cedar and Douglas Fir trees.
Some disruption to local traffic and increased noise levels are expected, and the Trust apologises for any inconvenience this may cause to residents. The goal of this project is not to harvest the entire woodland but to ensure the North Woods becomes a thriving ecosystem and an area of national importance.
