Essential ash dieback felling work starting from 27th Nov 2023 and the presentation, Q&A and feedback form link from the Community Meeting on 6th Sept 2023

Essential felling and removal of ash with large machinery is due to take place in Sims Hill Wood along with other associated work (including tree surgery work to the edge ash trees near Ros Broomhead Close and then mulching the felled areas to prepare the ground for replanting).  It will be starting on 27th November for four to eight weeks. During this time, some of the paths will be closed, see the map and safety signage in the wood.  Please be aware log stacks are dangerous if climbed on or otherwise disturbed.

The marked healthier ash will be retained and monitored.  All other ash in the dark green areas on the map will be felled and the edge trees by RBC will be pollarded. 

The felling is approved by the landowner South Gloucestershire Council and is in accordance with FC Operations Notes 46 and 46b and approved felling licence FL-018-1441-2022.  More replanting of trees and shrubs will take place in 2024.

Follow this link to see the presentation and Q&A from the 2023 community meeting at Stoke Gifford Retirement Village.  This gives information about: 

• The Sims Hill Community Woodland group and the grant funding.
• Tree planting and access and biodiversity improvement work taking place in the wood.
• Ash dieback disease and the necessary tree felling and removal taking place from 27th November 2023.
• The meeting Q&A session.
• Opportunities to get involved.
• Contact details and link to a form to submit feedback or questions and sign up for future updates and to get involved. 

A larger version of the Winter 23 felling map is here.

A link to the local residents letter is here.

Managing Ash Dieback

 

There has been a lot of work going on in the woods lately under an approved woodland management licence. This is a big change and has attracted positive and negative responses. 

The current thinning work is essential to address the ash dieback disease. Trees with dieback are weakened and more likely to blow over or drop branches. This was particularly important in the middle area where several paths converge. We are working to mitigate the effects of the tree removal here by replanting in that area soon. 

The disease spreads quickly through monoculture, even-aged and relatively young stands such as we have at Sims Hill. The thinning aims to remove the worst-affected trees and retain those which are showing a degree of resistance. It allows light in to the understory which will encourage a more diverse ground flora and shrub layer to develop.

The new gaps allow us to diversify the wood by replanting with a mixture of different tree and shrub species. This will improve the woods adaptability and resilience to future climate change impacts. A varied mixture of species also naturally leads to greater diversity of wildlife.  

Where appropriate we will leave small open glades and open areas along the path edges to benefit birds and insects. We will create more deadwood habitat.  

New bird boxes are being installed by a local ornithologist and volunteers. The health of the ash will be monitored this summer and options for future management discussed.