Skirrid Fawr Woodland Management

Caer Wood is an Ancient semi natural site, this means that there has always been woodland of some type growing here today. In the 1960's much of the wood was planted with the conifer species that you see today.

The wood covering 35 acres was acquired by the National Trust in 1986, since then the Trust has removed a large proportion of the conifers and the conservation value of the wood has improved. The wood holds a large number of tree species including a very old Hornbeam in the centre which is quite unusual for this area.

The National Trust with grant aid support from the Foresty Commission is carrying out thinning work on the conifers. This work will have several benefits -


  • Thinning allows more light to reach the woodland floor. More light germinates dormant seed from the original ground flora.

  • Trees that are compatible and native to the site will be encouraged to naturally regenerate.

  • Large native trees which are valuable as habitat for many species are given room to grow larger.

 

The cost of some of the work can be recovered by selling the felled trees to a local fencing manufacturer.