5 tips for managing your woodland this winter

Winter marks the start of tree planting season, the ideal time for planting. This allows roots to establish during the milder winter days, even though the tree's top is dormant. Root growth is essential for the tree's survival, especially if there's a spring drought.

If you're a woodland owner, it can also be the perfect time to get outside and check how your woodland has fared over the growing season. It can be hard to know where to start during these cold months, so we've put together our top 5 tips for managing your woodland this winter.

1. Check on areas of new planting

If you have any areas of new planting, now is the time to 'beat up' any trees which haven't survived the summer. Count your trees and replant any which have died ready for the next growing season.

Newly planted trees are particularly vulnerable for the first 3 years or so, as their roots are not established enough to find water during droughts or prolonged dry spells. You can also take this opportunity to check if there is any one species not thriving on the site and look to replace them with a better-adapted tree species.

Now is also a good time for your trees' annual check-up. The lack of leaves and reduction in ground vegetation can reveal the presence of squirrel nests and bark damage, particularly at the junction of big branches and the main stem. It can also make it easier to spot where deer may be coming and going.

2. Read up on tree pests and diseases

In mature woodland many fungi species will be fruiting. During the cold season, after leaves fall in deciduous woodlands, the brackets and toadstools of various fungi are easier to spot on the stems, crown and around the bases and roots of trees.

Many are harmless or even beneficial, but many others can kill trees and even whole stands if not dealt with. Getting to know the ones that are harmful with a bit of reading up on tree pests and diseases, can be a good way to spend a wet day indoors.

If you are in the East and South East of England, your woodland could be at risk of the eight toothed spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus). Make sure you're up to date with the additional control measures introduced to the Ips typographus demarcated area in October 2024.

Watch our video Ips typographus: beat the beetle on active woodland management to help mitigate the risk of this pest by removing any susceptible material during the winter.

3. Take note of repairs needed to paths and fences

After a summer's compaction along paths and rides, winter rains can reveal areas where water does not drain and attention is needed. If the ground is soft, working on it now could cause damage. Make a note of what's needed and plan for this later in the season while the ground is hard with frost, or during the following spring when access is easier on a drier soil.

The soft ground makes it easier to replace fence posts or the like. However, avoid using heavy machinery or taking too many trips up and down rides to minimise damage.

4. Start any tree work

Winter is a good season for felling, so if you have a felling licence any tree work can start. Felling trees without a licence, where one is required, is an offence. Check if you need one before starting any work.

If you are a firewood producer and you have an area for seasoning and processing, firewood orders are likely to be coming in fast. If you haven't already sold out, firewood can be loaded up ready for sale and any wood for seasoning stacked in the dry. Make sure to follow new regulations, like the Ready to Burn scheme, to ensure your firewood is properly seasoned to reduce air pollution.

It's also cooler, making the hard physical work of felling and coppicing a little easier!

The lack of vegetation makes moving around the wood easier and now birds have finished nesting there's no risk of accidentally disturbing them. However, be aware that other animals may be using the wood to shelter or hibernate. Although all wildlife is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, bats and common dormice are of particular importance in woodland, so great care should be taken not to disturb them if they are present.

5. Practise good biosecurity

As a woodland owner, you want to keep your trees healthy throughout the year. Wet winter weather can increase the risk of tree diseases being spread, as some diseases need water to disperse, and mud on boots and tyres can transfer diseases from place to place.

Practise good biosecurity at all times and make sure your boots and equipment are cleaned before you start any work and before you leave the site. If you have visitors to your woodland, make sure they do the same. It's a great idea to always have a simple biosecurity kit on hand.

Finally, and most importantly, make time to go out and enjoy the stark, quiet beauty of the woods in winter. The cold weather and long nights can make it hard to spend time outdoors but it's important to remember all the health benefits getting out can bring. Woodlands are fantastic for our physical and mental health, and watching your woodland thrive in the coldest season can be incredibly rewarding.