The Native Woodland Trust have recently taken in charge a new site, on the outskirts of Waterford city, in conjunction with Waterford council.
The site is a 7.5 acre site, bounded by the River Suir and the N25; it was created during contruction work for the new City bypass, and was used to store topsoil excavated as part of the road building.
It is elevated from the river, and is covered in early colonising plants and some gorse. There is a line of willow and ash bordering the site, and the will have started to colonise part of the site.
The aim is to recreate a native Irish woodland on the site as close as possible to what would have naturally existed there. To do this effectively it is best to mimic the natural process by which a native woodland would have originally have establish itself. This would follow the following pattern:
1) Pioneer species (probably willow, alder, birch) would become established growing quickly to form a canopy, and a woodland micro-climate which would allow other species to thrive.
2) As the hardy pioneer species grow and the conditions become more favourable, other species such as Oak, Ash, Elm, holly and hazel would come in. The Oak and Ash as longer lived species will over time outlive, and out-compete the pioneer species and become the dominant canopy tree.
3) When the canopy closes over species which are tolerant of lower light conditions such as Holly and Hazel will emerge as an under story species. The existing grass and gorse would die off in the low light conditions and woodland flowers and grasses would take over the ground level.
4) The edge of the woodland will favour smaller light loving species
Naturally this would take several hundred years to fully evolve. While it will still take a life time to develop it can to some extent be speeded up by planting and protecting the juvenile trees to maximise growth.
The site can be found on Google Maps here:
A suggested planting timeline has been developed, subject to availability of local seed:
To find out about palnting a seed gathering events contact us at: kieran.flood@nativewoodlandtrust.ie
2011
Summer: Survey of the site
Fencing of the site to prevent stock ingress and to secure from railway
2012
Setting out of route for the main path through the woodland
Assessment of local woodlands as possible seed banks
Establishing links with local community
Autumn: Collection and preparation of what local seed may be appropriate
Winter hibernation
2013
Spring planting of the seed collected the previous autumn
Summer Care of the seeds and saplings
Completion of paths
Collection of Elm seeds if found in the area
Autumn: Collection of seeds - collection and planting of acorns in conjunction with local schools
2014
Spring Planting of 2012/2013 saplings
Planting of previous autumn's seeds
Summer Care of the 2012 seeds and saplings
Care of the planted saplings
Collection of Elm seeds if found in the area
Autumn: Collection of seed and the preparation of same
Scouting of acorn harvest - collection and planting of acorns in conjunction with local schools
2015
Spring Planting of 2013/2014 saplings
Planting of seeds
Summer Care of the 2013 seeds and saplings
Care of the planted saplings
Collection of Elm seeds if found in the area
Autumn: Scouting of acorn harvest - collection and planting of acorns
2016
Spring Planting of 2014/2015 saplings
Summer Care of the planted saplings
By 2017 the site should be completely planted with pioneer species and some Oak.
Depending on the level of local involvement it may be completed before this date.
After 2017 some of the pioneer species be thinned by ring barking to promote growth of the healthier trees and leave space for the introduction of hazel, holly and more Oak and ash.
From 2022 on when the grass and gorse has died back some woodland floor flowers will naturally start to regenerate.
This can be further aided by the reintroduction of seeds and plants from the old woodlands in the vicinity of Gracedieu.