Staff - Malvern Hills Conservators

Coppice Project at Park Wood
Park Wood is 25 acres of woodland on the western slopes of the Hills. It is an
ancient woodland coppice that has been used for lime extraction and charcoal
production over the past centuries. Some fascinating quarries, derelict lime kilns and
archaeological remains give us the clues to its past uses, but due to the economics
of woodland management it has not been managed for many years.
The multiple stems of the hazel coppice stools are either “over-stood” (too old) or
they are dying off through lack of light. When the woodland was managed intensively
there would be regular canopy breaks created when each area or “Coup” was
cleared for the timber. This provided a great habitat for wildflowers, dormice and
butterflies.
In order to restore this habitat for the wildlife and bring the wood back into
management we have teamed up with local woodland crafts worker Dave Jackson to
restore the ancient coppice rotation. He is even making charcoal in the wood again.
After the Clearance of the first coup last year, woodland flowers like Herb Paris and
Violet Helleborine (a type of orchid) were found along with an abundance of Bluebells
and Ramsons. Dave has also replanted and “layered” the hazel trees in the
traditional way to restore the coppice to what it once was.
Quarry Fencing
As usual we continued with our programme of restoring and replacing the fences
around the quarries on the Hills. We have over 70 quarries that need attending to
and so it is a never-ending job. This year, by working in partnership with the Earth
Heritage Trust, we have secured funding to replace the fencing around Gardiners
Quarry and to fence the Upper Dingle Quarry for the first time. We have also
extended and replaced the fencing around the Wyche Quarry and fenced along the
wall around Earnslaw Quarry for safety reasons.
Sustainable Tree Management
For many years now it has been completely uneconomic to manage our planted
woodland areas. Many sites on the Hills were planted with trees in the past but until
now it has been far too costly to carry out thinning or felling for the benefit of the
plantations. However, with the increase in timber and firewood prices we now have
the opportunity to carry out this work. In fact we have even been offered a price per
standing tonne for plantation thinning.
We are working with local firewood processors and contractors to manage these
areas and provide a sustainable fuel source. Because these areas are managed
sustainably it is also a carbon neutral fuel source.
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