North Sheffield work to replant conifer plantations aims to benefit wildlife

Conifer plantations in north Sheffield are being cleared and replanted with tree species in a plan to create a “richer and more resilient woodland landscape”.
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Working with Yorkshire Water and Sheffield and Rotherham Wildlife Trust, Sheffield Council is coordinating a four-year programme of forestry work to remove or modify conifer plantations which are uneconomic, replanting them with broadleaf tree species which are aimed to benefit wildlife.

In some areas, conifers will be retained and broadleaf species planted in a buffer around them.

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The first phase of planting and fencing work is already under way in the Morehall area of the Ewden Valley.

Sheffield conifer plantations being cleared in order to be replanted with broadleaf speciesSheffield conifer plantations being cleared in order to be replanted with broadleaf species
Sheffield conifer plantations being cleared in order to be replanted with broadleaf species

Phase two targets the Agden and Dale Dike area above Bradfield, including Dow House Plantation, Eleven Acre Plantation and Agden House Wood. Work is scheduled to start in the next two weeks, says the council.

At Agden House Wood a technique called sky-lining allows trees to be taken out on overhead wires with less damage to the woodland floor.

Dave Aspinall, the council’s countryside service manager, said: “Our woodlands play an extremely important role in Sheffield’s and surrounding areas’ landscape and wildlife.

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“It’s essential that we maintain our woodlands and forests so that they continue to thrive and this includes replacement and restoration with resilient species of trees that can withstand new threats from pests and diseases.

“We carefully plan works to make sure the right techniques are used so that we keep people safe and enhance our forests and minimise the impact on wildlife.”