Woodland Management of Hilsea Lines

Over the next few months we will be carrying out woodland management on Hilsea Lines.

The object of this process is:

1.    To develop the biodiversity of the site.

·         Opening up the canopy allows more light to reach the ground flora. This will allow a diversity of species, which require a certain amount of light to grow, rather than the predominance of the present ground covering Ivy.

White Letter Hairstreak

·         Reduction in the density of the more invasive species of trees will allow for the more important species. Especially the Elm which is the food plant for the rare White Letter Hairstreak butterfly.

·         Some of the felled timber will be left on the ground as habitat piles for insects, fungi and small mammals. As these logs rot down they will become home for the Stag beetle larvae.

2.    Increase the safety and wellbeing for visitors to the site.

·           A reduction in the tree density will reduce the competition for light so that trees will not grow long and spindly which can make them susceptible to wind.

·           Opening up of sight lines within the woodland will give it a lighter more welcoming appearance for visitors.