Methods of Restoring Native Woodlands

Borders Forest Trust restores native woodlands using 2 methods:-

• planting young trees
• encouraging natural regeneration from local tree seed

Planting young trees is the quickest and most successful method of creating new woodlands and establishing the next generation of trees in existing woodlands. Additionally as many of the BFT managed sites contain few or no seed producing trees, planting is the preferred method. Trees are planted from autumn to spring when the trees have lost their leaves and are dormant. They are protected from browsing animals using tree tubes and tree stakes which also prevent them from being blown over. Prior to planting an application of herbicide if often made to remove vegetation which would compete and smother the young trees.

Natural regeneration occurs most frequently where there are abundant mature trees which act as a seed source. In many of the BFT sites as few mature trees are present, the natural process is assisted. Seed is gathered from appropriate local trees and scattering seed on "screefed" soil where the vegetation has been cleared to reveal open soil where seed will hopefully germinate and flourish. Some foresters believe that naturally regenerated trees survive better against browsing that planted trees however regeneration is a slow process establishing trees through this method is.

Livestock is excluded from planted and regeneration areas till trees are considered established when they no longer require maintenance. Herbivore control of browsers such as deer, hare and rabbits is carried out on sites where browsing is a problem to allow the young trees to grow and become established. Establishment can take between 5 and 10 years for planted trees and longer for regeneration depending on soil condition, altitude and climate.