Hedgerows and 'Miyawaki Woodland' - the most ecological way of creating new woddland habitats to increase biodiversity

Guest Post by Paul Ritchie Sorubus Learning
 
I wanted to share with you some thinking, which is born out of 30 years experience of open space management and 40 years conserving woodlands and ancient trees. Anyone who has attended one of my tree courses knows that I'm fiercely opposed to most tree planting schemes in the UK, such as Surrey County Councils plans e.g. Surrey County Council has set an ambitious target of planting 1.2 million trees in Surrey by 2030. That is one tree for every resident in the county. This is a totally riduculous target because using traditional UK tree planting methodology there just isn't the space for that many mature trees!
 
Experience has shown me that most UK tree planting schemes fail with a disgustingly high failure rate because of a lack of understanding of tree biology and basic ecological knowledge in those planning and planting trees. This is compounded by the fact that often such schemes and forestry projects are delivered on green spaces that feature other biodiversity interest such as species-rich grassland, heath and moorland. Colleagues from my previous role as Head Ranger of Ashtead Common NNR have shown me using readily available mapping tools that it's impossible to plant 1.2 million trees in Surrey using current established methods.
 
So not being one to being one to give up I've done some research and would like to suggest two opportunities to tackle the key issues of a lack of space, tree mortality and lack of natural biodiversity. The first should not be a surprise as many conservation organisations already recommend this for improving biodiversity and amenity value of green spaces... hedge planting, which requires native fruit and nut bearing trees and shrubs to be planted in a double row of planting with about 6-8 trees/shrubs every metre. Please see attached guidance.

​The second may not be familiar to you and is named after the Japanese botanist Dr Akira Miyawaki, the method involves careful soil preparation and densely planting a range of native woodland plants that are beneficial to wildlife on an area usually around the size of a tennis court. This method is one of the most effective tree planting methods and creates biodiverse 'wooded' habitat quickly with trees and shrubs growing much faster with higher survival rates (95% vs 75% in current methods at their best) with higher biodiversity recorded in shorter time spans. Please see my second attachement.

​I strongly believe that the best way forward for local Parish Councils and their communities is to adopt one or both of the above recommended approaches to responding to climate change and impending crash of biodiversity in UK and Surrey. It is a more cost effective approach with enhanced outcomes for wildlife and people, which can help engage local people in their own hedgerow and/or 'Miyawaki Woodland' perhaps renamed Heritage or Coronation Woodland to win over residents, landowners and funders. There are plenty of existing funding streams for hedgerow and woodland planting in UK.
 
Paul is a biologist and nature activist. He is contributing to the Gardening for Biodiversity community project..  His next talk  is on the subject of woodland management.

GARDENING FOR BIODIVERSITY TALK
Thursday 17 October ‘Creating Garden-Scale Woodland Habitats’
Paul Ritchie Betchworth Village Hall 7.30-8.30pm
Earlier this year Paul Ritchie inspired nearly 40 people to have a go at creating new habitats for wildlife in their gardens across the 4Bs. In this talk he will draw upon 30 years of experience in open space management and 40 years conserving woodlands and ancient trees, to suggest ways in which we might create small-scale woodland habitats in our own gardens. The talk will consider 'forest gardening' as a method of making space for nature, growing food and creating a restful haven for people ... a true ARK. To reserve a place please email [email protected].
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This Gardening for Biodiversity Talks are for residents of Buckland, Betchworth, Brockham and Box Hill