Woodland Regeneration Scheme
WOODLAND REGENERATION SCHEME
Gin Pit Village Residents Association
in partnership with
redroseforest
&
Wigan Metro
Woodland Regeneration Project
In partnership with Wigan Metro and in consultation with Redrose Forest Gin Pit Village Residents Association are undertaking a Woodland Regeneration Project. In the long term we aim to revitalise the existing woodland areas that fall within the boundary of the Village Green to ensure their long term future. The aim is to make the woodland self sustaining.
The project will also help the Gin Pit Village Residents Association to reduce their environmental footprint by planting native British trees and native woodland
flowers. In the process we are providing wildlife habitat for many years, passing on to future generations a fascinating and highly valuable ecological heritage
This is a massive undertaking as the woodland areas are in significant need of management. In the 1970s as part of a land reclamation project the woodland areas we have today were planted. Pioneer Trees including White Poplar and White Willow were planted. These trees grow quickly and have a life span of around thirty years. They are coming to the end of their life. The woodlands were neglected for many years until they were included in the Village Green and The Gin Pit Village Residents Association were given licence to manage them.
The association has been clearing dead and wind thrown trees for some time. We are now ready to embark on the generation of the Woodland.
We have consulted with Redrose Forest who have provided us with a detailed report and plan of action to revitalise the woodland. This will require the thinning out of some existing trees to open up the woodland canopy to allow new planting an natural regeneration to take place.
All trees planted will be native British trees. All flowers planted will be native woodland plants. As well as taking in CO2 they will also provide sustainable habitat for wildlife and enhance the biodiversity of the natural landscape.
How will planting a tree help the environment?
We can sequester (absorb) the atmospheric carbon as part of the process of photosynthesis of trees and plants, which enables them to grow. Through this process, carbon dioxide is converted into stored carbon, and this is why trees are sometimes referred to as ‘carbon sinks’.
By taking this carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, trees clean the air, and offset our polluting lifestyles.
Each tree planted ‘offsets’ your environmental impact by ‘breathing’ in about 730 kg CO2 emissions over its lifetime of 100 years.
It is estimated that the average person needs to save about 7,000 kg of CO2 per year. So planting just 10 trees each year is one strategy for achieving this.
These woodlands will improve our local environment and provide habitats for our local wildlife.
Only native British broad-leaved trees, and woodland flowers are planted in the area, ensuring they are in keeping with the local surroundings. Trees & Plants help the environment in so many ways it would take forever to list them all but here are some vital reasons…
1. Trees take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and store it in their woody tissues – 50% of a trees dry weight is carbon. This process, called sequestration, is very slow initially but accelerates as the tree matures. Globally, forests currently absorb between 1/5 and 1/4 of all human emissions of CO2 .This is clearly a very important factor in the struggle to combat global warming as CO2 is the major greenhouse gas. Planting trees on its own will not solve the problem of global warming – but it does help.
2. Trees support a vast array of other plant and animal species. Up to 500 different kinds of animals may depend on one oak tree for their survival! Humans have been very adept at making other species extinct. Planting a tree helps to reduce this process.
3. Trees produce oxygen which is kind of useful. Try holding your breath for a few minutes and you’ll realise why!
4. Trees work like giant green air-filters, constantly purifying our atmosphere, taking out particulate matter and other pollutants.
Where will the trees be planted?
Your tree/s will be planted in low-profile surroundings. With the help of our tree planting partners and their local environmental knowledge, these native broad-leaved trees and woodland plants will be found homes where they are most needed; supplementing hedgerows, woodlands and nature reserves; surrounding Gin Pit Village, Astley
Would they be planted anyway?
There is a UK quota for tree planting which the government are committed to meet. All trees planted through our Woodland Regeneration will be in addition to any national quota, so you can be sure that any tree you are funding would not have been planted without your support.
How much carbon dioxide does a tree absorb?
It is estimated that one broad leaf tree will absorb approximately 730kg of carbon dioxide during its full life-time (approximately 100 years). Enough to offset a short haul flight to most European destinations for one person
Not all trees and flowers planted will survive (there’s natural die-back and necessary thinning for proper woodland management).
Tree Species In the British Isles
There are thousands of different tree species, hybrids, cultivars and varieties in the UK. However, according to some sources there are only 33 that are UK natives.
‘Native’ trees are defined as those that were able to migrate from mainland Europe without the aid of man. The period in which this refers to is after the ice age (9-10,000 years ago) and before the land connection with the continent was eroded, approximately 5,000 years ago. Those species listed below are classified as native.
Native species
- Alder (Alnus spp) – General, Common, Grey
- Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)
- Aspen (Populus tremula)
- Beech(Fagus sylvatica)
- Birch (Betula spp) – Silver, Downy
- Box (Buxus sempervirens)
- Cherries (Prunus spp) – Bird, Wild/Gean
- Crab Apple (Malus sylvestris)
- Elder
- Elm (Ulmus spp) – Wych
- Gorse (Ulex europeaus)
- Hawthorn (Crataegus spp) – Common, Midland
- Hazel (Corylus avellana)
- Holly (Ilex aquifolium)
- Hornbeam (arpinus betulus)
- Juniper (Juniperus communis)
- Lime (Tilia spp) – Large Leaved, Small Leaved
- Maple (Acer spp) – Field, Norway, Japanese, Silver
- Oak (Quercus spp) – English, Sessile, Turkey, Holm
- Pine (Pinus spp) – Scots, Corsican
- Poplar (Populus spp) – Lombardy, White, Black, Aspen
- Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)
- Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo)
- Whitebeam (Sorbus aria)
- Wild Service Tree (Sorbus torminalis)
- Willows (Salix spp) – Goat, Bay, Crack, White, Weeping
- Yew (Taxus baccata)
Of these species the following either already appear in our woodland areas and hedgerows or will be introduced as part of our Woodland Regeneration Programme.
Many are available under our Dedicate a tree Scheme (See “Village Shop”)
Alder
The Common Alder (Alnus glutinosa) is a native deciduous tree of Britain which produces spectacular catkin displays in the early spring. It is a lowland species that loves to grow nears rivers and streams and in damp woodlands.
According to ancient belief, evil lurked in the Common Alder. It was feared because its wood appears to bleed when cut. This caused superstition as it suggested the tree was the embodiment of a malign spirit.
The wood is yellow when seasoned, durable in winter and as it is easy to work, it is often used for clog making, shoe soles, charcoal for gun powder and broom handles. Dyes can be derived from the bark and fruit.
Ash
The Common Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) is a native tree to Britain and is found in the wild in moist woods, riverbanks and mixed broadleaved woodlands where it can reach heights of 135ft.
The pale, pliable and sturdy timber is used for a variety of things including tool handles, furniture, pegs, oars, hockey sticks, charcoal, tennis rackets and skis.
There was once a great deal of superstition attached to Ash trees; burning Ash wood was thought to remove evil spirits from dwellings, and sick children would be cured if passed through the cleft of an Ash tree. Scandinavians believed that the Ash was sacred and that Yggdrasil, the Tree of the World, was a giant Ash and that the tips of his crown resided in heaven and that his roots sought out the pits of hell.
The Weeping Ash (F. excelsior ‘Pendula’) is a very attractive form, the branches of which sweep nearly down to the ground.
Blackthorn
The Blackthorn or Sloe (Prunus spinosa) is a native, deciduous shrub or small tree of Britain that has virtually black, thorny branches. This formidable barrier of thorns can be used to protect plants or other property from humans and animals. In spring, it suddenly produces conspicuous white flowers prior to leaf burst and the birds nest in its protective shelter. During late summer, the birds quickly eat the berries, or sloe. Commonly used as hedging, wind breaks or barriers, this thorny shrub can grow to 16ft. It prefers chalky soil in a sunny position but is hardy and can cope with a number of environments. The sloe can be used to make preserves or sloe gin.
As the blossoms often appear in March during the period of cold east winds, a cold spring was traditionally known as a ‘blackthorn winter’.
Dog Rose
The Dog Rose (Rosa canina) is a native rose often found in hedge banks and downs. It is a medium sized shrub with very prickly stems and white or pink scented flowers. It also produces bright red, egged-shaped fruits.
Hawthorn
The Hawthorn, May or Quickthorn (Crataegus monogyna) is a native, deciduous shrub or small tree of Britain and is most notable as a hedgerow species. Hawthorns provide ideal wildlife habitats for birds and a number of insects, and act as stock-proof barriers due to their thorns and dense growth habit as hedges.
The Hawthorn is fast growing and sturdy. Grown as a tree it can often be found on woodland edges or rides and in the open countryside, reaching heights of up to 35ft. They produce attractive white flowers in the spring and red berries in the autumn.
During the 16th and 18th centuries, land enclosures prompted the planting of thousands of hedges to surround estates. Unfortunately, a lot of these are now being destroyed due to mechanised farming. The spikes, which form formidable barriers can now replace barbed wire or electric fences.
Early Christians associated the Hawthorn with Joseph of Arimathea. He was the owner of the tomb in which Jesus was placed after the Crucifixion and later he was supposed to have planted his hawthorn staff into the ground at Glastonbury. This thorn apparently flushed new growth and was labelled a ‘Holy Thorn’.
Pagan and medieval rites used the Hawthorn to symbolise the coming of summer, probably because of the early blossoms it produces. In some areas, it is believed that the destruction of a Hawthorn brings about doom and to have blossoms inside a dwelling invites disaster.
Holly
The Holly (Ilex aquifolium) is an evergreen, native tree or shrub to Britain and is found in most environments, including harsh ones, although it does not do well in wet soils. The red berries produced in autumn are a great source of food for birds and provide a view of colourful, seasonal interest.
It was at one time superstition that to cut down Holly would be unlucky and because of this, many Hollies still survive today and can be found growing within maintained hedgerows they are ideal for the creation of dense, formidable hedges.
The wood is strong, heavy and white and has been used for carving and woodcuts.
Maples
The native Maple of Britain is the Field Maple (Acer campestre) and although it is most notably used in hedgerows it can grow to heights of 60ft or more and provides a wildlife-rich understorey in some woodlands. One of the oldest recorded trees dates from around 1700, although old specimens are not often found.
Oak
There are two deciduous native Oak trees to the British Isles; the Pedunculate or English Oak (Quercus robur) and the Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea). However, there are 37 species listed as being hardy to the climate of Britain. Oaks are a very important tree in Britain for their timber, their wildlife habitats, their extensive life spans and their grace and beauty.
Quercus robur The Pedunculate or English Oak supports more species of wildlife than any other tree in Britain (following the demise of the English Elm). It can reach to 45 metres with a ragged crown but more normally its leading shoot is eaten, forcing out side branches to form a large spreading dome up to 20 metres in height. The twisted furrowed bark is greyish in colour. The leaves grow on very short stalks and have deep lobes, the pair nearest the base point backwards. The seeds are called acorns and form on long stalks in small clusters. They form an important winter food source for jays and squirrels.
It is a commonly planted tree in parks and woodlands where many giant veterans have survived to live almost 1000 years. Druids in Celtic Britain thought of the Oak as a sacred tree and the mistletoe that was more common then was gathered and used in secret rites. It is a very sturdy tree and is used in construction, panelling and furniture and the acorns are still sometimes used as animal fodder today.
Pines
The Pines are a large and diverse group of evergreen conifers with over eighty species in the northern hemisphere and across the equator to Java.
The Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) is the only native to Britain, however, there are a large number of other species commonly planted as garden, park and forest trees, many of which grow to a similarly large size. Pines are important wildlife trees, particularly in the north, where they provide some of the last outposts for the endangered red squirrel in the UK.
The Scots Pine is distinctive because of its ornamental, bright orange bark in the upper crown and pale greenish-brown needles. It grows rapidly and can reach heights of around 115ft. It rarely exceeds a life span of 250 years except in exposed areas, where its growth is stunted and thereby slowed.
The native Scots Pine woodlands are now a rarity, as the timber they produce is of a high quality and in great demand. The timber is used for buildings, ships’ masts, charcoal, flaming torches, chipboard, boxes, fencing, telegraph poles and furniture and the tree has also proved a good source of turpentine, resin and tar.
Poplars
There are a number of species of Poplar that grow in Britain and the majority of these deciduous trees take up vast amounts of water to assist in their rapid growth rates.
The White Poplar (Populus alba) is notable for the white, felty undersides of its foliage and the whispering they cause in the breeze. In Greek legend this tree was originally black. Apparently, Hercules wore a garland from the White Poplar in a battle with Cerberus, the guardian of the underworld and his sweat bleached the garland white. This tree can reach heights of around 110ft, it suckers freely and tolerates pollution and salt, so it flourishes on road sides and near the sea.
We have too many Poplar trees in our Woodland and these will be thinned as part of our Regeneration Programme
Rowan
The Rowan or Mountain Ash (Sorbus aucuparia) is a deciduous native to all parts of the British Isles. It is generally a small tree rarely exceeding 50ft and often inhabiting harsh environments such as moorland and heath, although it is by no means restricted to these areas. It is distinctive in autumn due to its large clusters of red berries and is often planted in arboretums, streets and gardens.
From ancient times this tree has been associated with witchcraft and the name is thought to mean ‘charm’, from the Norse word runa. It apparently wards off witches and was often planted in churches and outside of dwellings. Sprays of Rowan leaves were traditionally hung over doors on May Day to thwart evil and wells dressed with Rowans also kept witches away.
The alternative name of ‘Mountain Ash’ reflects the altitudes in which this tree grows, although its compact form makes it ideal for many planting sites. It is also very hardy and its branches can withstand frosts more than most trees.
The berries can be made into a jelly, which is a favourite accompaniment to game dishes and were also made into a drink to prevent scurvy, as they are rich in vitamin C. At one time, they were used as bait to trap thrushes, redwings and fieldfares by bird catchers.
The strong, flexible, yellowish-grey timber was once widely used to make the handles of tools, for small carvings and occasionally in place of Yew for making long-bows.
Whitebeam
The Whitebeam (Sorbus aria) is a native deciduous tree found from the lowlands to the mountains and it thrives on chalk and on limestone. In its natural state is can reach heights of around 80ft although its form is quite upswept, making it ideal as a modern street tree. This is supported further by its ability to withstand high levels of pollution and its high amenity value.
This tree has a variety of ornamental qualities, its silvery leaves opening in spring and persisting through the summer, red berries in the autumn and golden foliage prior to leaf fall.
The timber of the Whitebeam is very tough, heavy and hard and was once used for making the cogs of some early machinery. It can also be used to make handles or spoons and the fruit is often made into a jelly, traditionally eaten with venison.
Willows
There are a large number of Willows that can commonly be found in Britain. Willows are generally thought to be quick growing and love an abundance of water.
The White Willow (Salix alba) is a quick growing, deciduous native tree which frequents damp areas, particularly near river banks and lowlands. This tree can reach heights of around 80ft, although traditionally it was pollarded at head height so that a regular supply of poles was available that was out of reach of grazing animals. The poles were used in fencing and other woven products as well as for firewood. The timber of this tree has been used for flooring, the bottoms of carts and is most famous for the production of cricket bats in the south.
We have too many white willow in our woodland areas and these will be thinned out as part of our Regeneration Project
The most memorable Willows to most people are the Weeping Willows (Salix chrysochoma) which produce large, pendulous ‘umbrellas’ for crowns with branches often sweeping down to the ground.
Yew
The Yew tree (Taxus baccata) is an evergreen native to Britain that is slow growing and long lived and specimens have been found that are over 5,000 years old and up to 80ft tall. These are very commonly found in church yards and although some assume that the Yew was a favourite tree to plant on sacred ground, it is more likely that churches were built near to existing yews. It is thought that this tree was prized as sacred by the pagans and that when their religion was overtaken by the Christians, pagan areas of worship were eradicated and built upon by the newcomers.
However, there are few long-lived trees remaining in Britain today, and this is partly due to the timber being valuable in the Middle Ages for making long bows, as the wood is quite strong (heartwood) and elastic (sapwood). More recently it has been used for cabinetwork and wood sculpture and the dense growth habit forms ideal hedges.
Yews prefer to grow on chalky soils and can tolerate pollution well. They can grow under shade and can themselves form a dense shade so that very little will grow under their canopies.
Some elements of the Yew tree are poisonous, including the bark, needles, shoots and the seed.
