The Park Rangers
What the Rangers are Currently up to
JANUARY 2024 UPDATE
TREES & WOODLANDS
You may have noticed several trees down in the park as a result of the recent storm damage in addition to the ongoing woodland management in the park.
We adhere to the current Woodland Management Plan provided by the Forestry Commission, covering a total of 113.9ha of woodland under management, in conjunction with the current five-year Ecological Management Plan for Bestwood Country Park.
The management plan is based on the Forestry Commission guidelines and provides a licence to thin no more than 30% of the canopy, opening up around natural regeneration and favouring more beneficial tree species, to achieve a diverse structure of habitat, species and ages of trees, appropriate to the scale and context of each area. This encourages new growth and prevents a dominant monoculture, whilst replanting tree/shrub and other understorey species to increase the diversity and resilience of the woodland. We do not envisage our current working compartment being worked again within the next 50 years, other than tree safety works.
Since 2018, we have planted 3305 trees introducing new species such as Spindle (Euonymus europaeus) and Purging Buckthorn (Rhamnus catharticus) to our woodlands, with the addition of many more common native species, with a further 550 plants set to be planted in early 2024.
Visual tree inspections are carried out weekly during foot/vehicle patrols around the site, with particular attention paid to trees next to buildings, footpaths, and other high use areas such as the playground, with findings dealt with promptly under strict health and safety guidelines by in house staff trained in arboriculture and external contractors. The majority of the work undertaken on these trees are those identified as dead, dying or diseased or posing any risk to public safety.
All tree work complies to British Standard BS3998.
As in the rest of the country, we are experiencing Ash Dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus), which will lead to the decline and death of many trees throughout the site, but mainly in larger numbers in plantation at the Mill Lakes and reclamation areas on the edge of the pit tip. We have already removed many trees since 2021 and will continue to monitor canopy declines on a monthly basis and remove where necessary to mitigate Health & Safety in public areas.
We do not block designated footpaths, permissive bridleways, or vehicle tracks, which are kept clear of fallen trees and other obstacles. Badger sets and other mammal hibernacula are never physically disturbed during felling operations, and the woodland management has a key role in providing more safety and protection for wildlife from human disturbance.
PATHS
The recent heavy rainfall and storms have caused further damage to the paths. We have had to install warning signs on some paths, to alert pedestrians to the uneven surfaces and gullies formed on the steepest routes around the site. These will be fixed and re-opened as soon as resources and budget allow.
BINS
All litter and dog waste bins on site are managed and collected on contract by Gedling Borough Council. Please report any overflowing bins directly to Gedling Borough Council – 0115 9013901.
You may have noticed several trees down in the park as a result of the recent storm damage in addition to the ongoing woodland management in the park.
We adhere to the current Woodland Management Plan provided by the Forestry Commission, covering a total of 113.9ha of woodland under management, in conjunction with the current five-year Ecological Management Plan for Bestwood Country Park.
The management plan is based on the Forestry Commission guidelines and provides a licence to thin no more than 30% of the canopy, opening up around natural regeneration and favouring more beneficial tree species, to achieve a diverse structure of habitat, species and ages of trees, appropriate to the scale and context of each area. This encourages new growth and prevents a dominant monoculture, whilst replanting tree/shrub and other understorey species to increase the diversity and resilience of the woodland. We do not envisage our current working compartment being worked again within the next 50 years, other than tree safety works.
Since 2018, we have planted 3305 trees introducing new species such as Spindle (Euonymus europaeus) and Purging Buckthorn (Rhamnus catharticus) to our woodlands, with the addition of many more common native species, with a further 550 plants set to be planted in early 2024.
Visual tree inspections are carried out weekly during foot/vehicle patrols around the site, with particular attention paid to trees next to buildings, footpaths, and other high use areas such as the playground, with findings dealt with promptly under strict health and safety guidelines by in house staff trained in arboriculture and external contractors. The majority of the work undertaken on these trees are those identified as dead, dying or diseased or posing any risk to public safety.
All tree work complies to British Standard BS3998.
As in the rest of the country, we are experiencing Ash Dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus), which will lead to the decline and death of many trees throughout the site, but mainly in larger numbers in plantation at the Mill Lakes and reclamation areas on the edge of the pit tip. We have already removed many trees since 2021 and will continue to monitor canopy declines on a monthly basis and remove where necessary to mitigate Health & Safety in public areas.
We do not block designated footpaths, permissive bridleways, or vehicle tracks, which are kept clear of fallen trees and other obstacles. Badger sets and other mammal hibernacula are never physically disturbed during felling operations, and the woodland management has a key role in providing more safety and protection for wildlife from human disturbance.
PATHS
The recent heavy rainfall and storms have caused further damage to the paths. We have had to install warning signs on some paths, to alert pedestrians to the uneven surfaces and gullies formed on the steepest routes around the site. These will be fixed and re-opened as soon as resources and budget allow.
BINS
All litter and dog waste bins on site are managed and collected on contract by Gedling Borough Council. Please report any overflowing bins directly to Gedling Borough Council – 0115 9013901.
