Lushill Farm stands in picturesque North Wiltshire as an arable farm with limited tree cover.
This has been the focus of a significant afforestation effort led by Jonathan Ayers of Ayers Forestry Limited.
The project was to establish small well-designed woodland blocks to enhance the local landscape amenity, to aid biodiversity recovery, and to improve shoot and timber production. This was an ambitious tree-planting project undertaken by woodland management and consultancy firm, Ayers Forestry Limited, to create a new woodland that will provide diversity of habitat as part of a move towards more biodiverse and ecologically rich farmland.
A diverse species mix of native and non-native broadleaves and conifers were planted to improve forest resilience to pests, diseases, and climate change. Despite the challenges posed by heavy winter rains that temporarily flooded several planting sites, the project progressed as planned, with all planting completed before spring.
Ayers Forestry Limited turned to leading landscape supplier Green-tech to source the materials they needed to support and protect a total of 22,950 trees, which included:
- Broadleaves: 14,700 in 1.5m Tubex tree shelters with 32mm stakes
- Conifers: 8,100 in 1.5m fine mesh guards with 32mm stakes
- Shrubs: 150 in 60cm shrub shelters with 90cm stakes
Tubex standard tree shelters are designed to protect young trees from wildlife while creating a microclimate that promotes healthy growth. The use of the 1.5m high option was necessitated by the presence of fallow deer in the area to ensure that the young trees are protected from browsing.
Paired with the Tubex tree shelters, the 32mm Softwood Stakes provide the necessary support for the young trees, whilst the 90cm Softwood Stakes provide support for the shrubs. The 1.5m Fine Mesh Guards were used for the conifers to protect them from deer while allowing for adequate airflow.
Jonathan Ayers of Ayers Forestry Limited expressed satisfaction with the collaboration and the products supplied by Green-tech. “Initial signs indicate a high survival rate of the planted trees, reflecting the success of the project. We are very happy with the service and products provided by Green-tech; they were helpful and efficient.”
The Lushill Farm woodland project exemplifies a successful partnership between Ayers Forestry Limited and Green-tech, showcasing the impact of quality materials and how to achieve ecological and economic goals in rural tree planting projects. The diverse species mix and protective measures implemented promise a resilient and thriving woodland that will benefit the environment and the local community for years to come.
