Bel's Wood

Bel’s Wood is currently poor scrubland that has been grazed in the past with cattle and sheep. Deer are present on the land too so new trees may struggle to become established.  Happily it has some mature oaks (about 10 including this one with a 3.5m girth which makes it 150-200 years old according to the Woodland Trust’ ready reckoner. There are younger oaks surrounding this one and across the site.).  Silver birch dominate along the stream and appear to be of similar age and maturity. Hawthorn is well established. There are some enormous holly trees.  Gorse dominates with bracken in between. It is a pleasure to walk around the site in winter with the bracken lying on the ground. The gorse is 3-4m high in places. Deer clearly manage to find ways through. The more I look the more I see that there are trees becoming established in the thick gorse areas. Mostly hawthorn but also some broom. The theory is that gorse and bramble are nature’s barbed wire and allow seedlings to become establ

Purchase complete and so the project starts. But for now I am allowing myself to fall in love with the land and just enjoy it. Here is a brief introduction. Where: Crosthwaite, Cumbria 6 miles west of Kendal - 15minute drive away Size: 7.86 hectares or 11 football pitches. Roughly its 400m x 200m with a height difference of 40m from the minor road to the highest point. Woodland type: It is rough unmanaged land which would be described as either wood pasture or upper oak woodland but is dominated by gorse and bracken with some oaks well established amongst rocky outcrops. There are silver birches along the stream running through the site. The presence of deer and gorse will prevent further trees becoming established and I am yet to spot a conifer on site although the neighbouring land has them. Introducing Scots Pines would tip the balance in favour of red squirrels. These will need protection. Terrain: I am still discovering more areas each time I visit. The stream is a del