Burghley Estate Information Note 

Intended Felling works Cpt 54 Dottrell and Cpt 56 Home Wood commencing mid-August 2024.

Introduction

Both woodlands are classed as Ancient Semi Natural Woods (ASNW). ASNWs are defined in the UK as areas that have been continuously wooded since 1600. As such they are a very precious resource as they contain a relatively undisturbed suite of soil organisms, flora, and fauna.

Both areas of woodland with red hatching on the plan attached have a species composition consisting of at least 80% mature ash.   The remainder of the  species are oak and some field maple with an understorey of hawthorn.

Since approximately 2012 our ash woodlands are being affected by a fungal pathogen Hymenoscyphus fraxineus which causes the disease ‘ash dieback’. It is thought that up to 80% of the UKs ash trees will succumb to this disease.

There is plenty of information to be found on this disease on the following Forest Research page:

https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/fthr/pest-and-disease-resources/ash-dieback-hymenoscyphus-fraxineus/

As the pathogen is taking more hold on the individual trees in both these compartments the trees are showing poor resistance and are starting to die and, in some cases, starting to windthrow.

The western half of Cpt 56 is particularly badly affected :