How the Woodland Project can help you

Woodland as a sustainable business

David and Nena Barbour have transformed 70 acres of arable and pig farm into a diversified cluster of woodland businesses. Over several decades they have transformed the land into woodland, with areas set aside for a pond and wildflower meadow. As time goes by, the woodland is growing and starting its long productive cycle. Income generating activities on the land include coppice, specialist tree fruit production, timber and firewood.

The Woodland Project has assisted much of this activity, helping to develop the quality of the woodland as it matures. 

• Read more in the Heath Farm case study document (pdf format, 70 KB)

Woodland business development

• Anne Gow has used OWP resources to help develop her Firewood Direct business as part of Farmer Gow's Activity Farm.
• James Harrison, forestry contractor Jag Timber, has undertaken work for OWP clients and tailored his work to conservation norms promoted by the OWP.
• Alistair Yeomans of the Sylva Foundation has entered into partnership with the OWP to promote 'myForest', Sylva’s major new timber management marketing tool. Myforest puts people in touch with one another using an innovative google-based system and facilitates the process of setting up woodland work.

Community woodland

Colin Carrit is chairman of Sustainable Woodstock. Here he describes the development of the community woodland at Woodstock in 2011:

“…OWP's woodland design, based on a brief from us, has been inspirational. Their plan sets out areas of the woodland for coppicing, areas of high forest and areas of open space for community use, all linked together with meandering paths that provide new views at every turn. Their commitment to the scheme has been outstanding and without it we would have undoubtedly blundered down many blind alleys. The Oxfordshire Woodland Project enabled us to proceed at all stages with insight and confidence.”

• Read a case study of the Woodstock community woodland (pdf format, 59 KB)
• View the sustainable Woodstock site plan (pdf format, 41 KB)

A private woodland planting experience at Elsfield

Andrew and Wendy Wilson did not know what to do with some spare land that came with their house. Here they describe how they were able to plant a woodland.

“We quickly realised that, for a price, a fine team of professionals with added VAT could take matters out of our hands and create a wild woodland paradise of mixed species, with annual maintenance and hedges all thrown in. But the cost quickly put us in our place. With OWP’s help however, we were able to achieve what we wanted.”

The Wilsons were clearly glad of an opportunity to get stuck in to their woodland and to put their stamp on it. Not only could they not afford to pay for contractors, they didn't want something off-the-shelf. But neither were they looking for something bespoke, made for them but not by them. They were looking for an affordable means by which they could create their own woodland according to their values and capabilities and they needed a reliable guide to help them.

“My wife and I, with hired help for only five days, were able to plant 1500 trees and a mixed hedge around our garden in about a month, at a fraction of the cost we faced from the original contractors. But that’s just part of it. I now know every inch of that field. I know where the water gathers, where the wind is fiercest. I know where the moles go, where the deer hide, and where the Ox-eye Daisies and Cowslips are likely to seed. Expensive experts would have denied us all of that.”

For Andrew and Wendy and many others, woodland management is a learning process: no-one else can do it for you, but you do need a guide.

• Read more in the Elsfield case study document (pdf format, 68 KB)

Funding our services

We have in the past provided a free service to woodland custodians in recognition of the important benefits that woodland work offers the local community and future generations. However, in the present financial circumstances, we are now obliged to charge for some services that we provide, while others will remain free of charge. 

The Oxfordshire Woodland Project Manager will be happy to discuss with you the charges that may apply to your particular circumstances and we hope to continue to provide services tailored to individual woodlands and the needs of their owners and communities. There remains considerable scope for obtaining grants from various sources; please ask the Oxfordshire Woodland Project Manager for more information (contact details on the right).  

Case studies and testimonials showing the different kinds of woodland developments that the Oxfordshire Woodland Project (OWP) can assist with.