Regenerating Existing Woodland at Glyn Arthur Farms Through Management

The land at Glyn Arthur occupies a valley running East to West down from the Hill fort of Moel Arthur, part of the Clwydian Range in Denbighshire. The land extends over the hill to the North, and South into the smaller neighbouring valley of Gales Uchaf, in total around 400 acres. Approximately 30% is unimproved and semi-improved hill and 35% improved grassland, some mowing and some exclusively grazing. Woodland and trees make up close to 15%, but there are also numerous veteran parkland, hedge trees, and key habitat of Wood pasture, plus heath and now rare, unimproved grassland.

There are a number of areas of broadleaf and conifer woods, both fenced and open to grazing, some damp woodland, parkland trees and an impressive number of veteran trees of several different species; Oak, Willow, Larch, Alder and a very old Walnut near Gales Uchaf.

The enclosed stands of trees are varied in species, with stands of Larch, Fir and mixed deciduous. Most have a dense understory of ferns and bramble. The woodland was last felled during the First World War. European Larch was then planted during the 1960s. Bluebells are also found in some areas which are an indicator of ancient woodland.

The project aims to develop a practical management plan for the woodland area which will provide an additional income stream to the farming business. The plan would consider several management options:

• Restoration of native woodland 
• Thinning to free up mature trees being swamped by undergrowth 
• Thinning to favour conifer continuous cover forestry
• Heavy thin and shelterwood to pre-empt possible larch disease
• Clear fell Douglas fir to raise income and change to native woodland 
• Thin to enhance timber quality in alder stands
• Fence to exclude stock to increase ground flora and biodiversity value 
• Management of veteran European larch as raptor nest sites 

The project will also contribute to the Sustainable Land Management outcomes including:

• Resource efficiency
• Resilient ecosystems
• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
• Protected natural landscapes and historic environment
• Clean Air, Reduced GHG emissions, Maximise carbon storage
• Clean Water, Mitigate flood & drought risk