Wood pasture

Wood pasture in winter in the Wisentgehege Springe game park near Springe, Hanover, Germany.

Wood pasture is a historical European land management system in which open woodland provided shelter and forage for grazing animals, particularly sheep and cattle, as well as woodland products such as timber for construction and fuel, coppiced stems for wattle and charcoal making and pollarded poles. Evidence of old wood pasture management systems can be detected in many of the ancient woodlands of Scotland, such as Rassal Ashwood in Ross-shire,[1][2] and at Glen Finglas in the Trossachs. The Dalkeith Old Wood, belonging to the Duke of Buccleuch, where cattle still graze beneath ancient oak trees to this day is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) [2]

Natural England's Environmental Stewardship scheme, defines Wood Pasture in its Farm Environmental Plan booklet, as a structure of open grown or high forested trees, in a matrix of grazed grassland, heathland and/or woodland floras.

Veteran pollard oak, a sign of ancient wood pasture at Windsor.

See also


Derelict Wood pasture in Aldermaston, Berkshire, UK

Ancient veteran pollard oaks, and a couple of sweet chestnuts, in western Berkshire's Aldermaston Court's derelict wood pasture.

References

  1. ↑ "Wood Pasture: Rassal Ashwood National Nature Reserve". Scottish Natural Heritage.
  2. 1 2 Stiven, Roland; Holl, Kate (2004). Wood Pasture. Perth, UK: Scottish Natural Heritage. ISBN 1853973866.


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