A key output of the recently formed Central Dartmoor Landscape Recovery project is a vision for the future of Dartmoor. It is heartening to see the role of trees and woodland recognised and supported in this thorough and detailed publication. So too, an appreciation for the need to look at different types of land use and management practices collaboratively to explore and discuss what is the best choice for a sustainable future for the area.
Moor Trees has been one of a number of organisations and individuals invited to contribute to the development and consultation of this vision. It has been a fascinating experience to be part of – especially to see how the ideas and desires of those involved have been reflected in the resulting document. Inevitably there is always some degree of compromise when approaching a task of this level of scale and ambition, but it is encouraging to see the power of trees and recognition of the need for their greater prevalence in the Dartmoor landscape extolled in this document.
We have always believed in the value of a mosaic of habitats across Dartmoor which is enshrined in our own vision for the future of the Moor by 2050. Habitat connectivity will of course be key as well as making the space for nature to restore itself and regenerate. Our river valleys should become a place for luscious woodlands advancing up the inclines and offering a barrier to slow the flow of water from the upper catchment into the waterways below to reduce the risk of flooding further downstream. We want to create and support habitats which are rich with a variety of species of flora and fauna and provide homes for a range of iconic species currently lost from the Moor or only present in dangerously low numbers.
Experimentation and ambition will be key to achieving these goals. Methods suggested in this publication to achieve a future treescape on Dartmoor are welcomed by Moor Trees such as:
- Experimenting with tree colonisation of clitter such as the recent planting we were involved in near Wistman’s Wood.
- Encouraging the creation of wet woodland and supporting the advancement of the succession of upland tree species on valley slopes, with well managed stocking levels and grazing regimes allowing the natural colonisation of trees where seed sources already exist (or could be introduced) to take advantage of the benefits of wood pasture systems for livestock health and wellbeing.
- Proactively protecting rivers by increasing tree cover such as the recent plot trials at Harford Moor as well as where conditions are ideal to promote the expansion and restoration of temperate rainforests (Atlantic Oak Woodland).
This vision demonstrates how a variety of habitats and density of cover can work across a wide area bringing more areas of scrub, greater integration of trees within the farmed landscape and making the most of locations most suited for denser woodland coverage. The Tree Actions and Ideas outlined on pages 112-13 provide a clear steer of what can be achieved and how an attitude to embrace a greater numbers of trees in the landscape can benefit Dartmoor as a whole.
Moor Trees has already completed its own exercise on priority mapping on Dartmoor to identify those core areas that are viable for woodland expansion to focus our efforts and target partnerships and collaboration especially where there are opportunities to connect existing habitats and form riparian corridors. Furthermore, we support the assertion that management practices should encourage the softening of edges between existing woodland and open land as well as valuing and retaining rowan and hawthorn shrubs where these are already established in grassland and heath. Planned exclusion of livestock is also acknowledged and welcomed by Moor Trees especially to help accelerate natural woodland succession to improve the structure of woodland and the need for specific fencing to protect successional developing woodland. We also acknowledge that grazing can be used sensitively in mature woodland to promote species and structure especially by cattle and ponies.
At Moor Trees we are passionate about native woodland and we are proud to play a significant role in the creation and restoration of these invaluable habitats. We understand the vital role of trees in the landscape and their potential to deliver for nature and restore a safe climate. We specialise in offering advice to landowners on woodland design, funding and management. Alongside our expansive team of volunteers we assist landowners with planting thousands of trees each winter. We are also the premier supplier of Dartmoor provenance trees which makes us a partner of choice for woodland creation locally.
To help us increase our reach and impact and to help improve and speed up the recovery of nature on Dartmoor we have recently appointed Jess Duffy to the team as our new Woodland Officer. If you have any queries about how we can support you or would be interested in exploring partnership opportunities please do not hesitate to get in touch.
To help support us and continue our work breathing more life back into Dartmoor please donate here.
