Woodland Management: Firewood, Biodiversity, and Livestock Integration

Winter is the time of year when we focus on woodland management. We are harvesting trees from our woods for firewood. Winter is the best time for this, as trees naturally contain less water—their leaves are gone, and they aren’t drawing in moisture. But cutting trees isn’t just about firewood; it brings many other benefits.

The area we’re currently working in is a relatively young woodland, about 20 years old. When new woodlands are established, they are often overstocked with trees to maximize early growth. As they mature, some trees must be removed to allow others space to thrive. This woodland has reached that stage. By thinning certain trees, we allow more light to reach the lower levels, encouraging a richer diversity of plant and animal life. Younger trees can also begin to grow, improving the overall structure of the woodland.

We’re primarily removing ash trees affected by ash dieback. However, it’s important to leave any that show signs of resistance to the disease, as this improves the chances of long-term resilience.

Until now, this woodland has also housed several beehives. We’re in the process of relocating them to the orchard as we begin using the trees more for livestock. With climate change bringing hotter summers, it’s increasingly important to provide animals with access to shade. Allowing cows, sheep, and pigs into the woodland will accelerate natural processes, creating ecological niches and boosting biodiversity. By clearing small glades where grass can grow, we will establish woodland grazing areas that offer multiple benefits to both livestock and the ecosystem. (For more on the benefits of trees, see our blog: Embracing the Canopy - Wales' Suitable Farm Scheme)

There is an ongoing debate among scientists about the historical makeup of the British landscape—was it more like woodland pasture, closed-canopy forest, or savannah-like grazing land? Regardless of the past, livestock play a key role in woodland ecosystems today. Their presence helps maintain a dynamic cycle of growth, decay, and regeneration in plant communities.

Back in 2022, we planted 6,000 trees across two hectares to create new woodland on the farm. While this government-funded project focused on carbon sequestration (carbon isn’t the most important factor—see our blog: Carbon Negative Meat), our true goal was to develop more diverse habitats like the one we’re working in now. We want to create a mosaic of different landscapes across the farm, each serving distinct functions for wildlife and livestock. This new woodland was also strategically planted along the farm’s northern edge to provide shelter from cold winds—an example of ‘stacking functions,’ a core principle in permaculture that maximizes benefits from a single action.

By managing our woodlands in this way, we’re not just harvesting firewood—we’re shaping a landscape that is diverse, resilient, and productive for both nature and farming.