Twenty-four native tree species [Fn1] give shape, texture and character to Toll Wood.
This complex mix of trees supports a rich biodiversity from crown to root. This mix supports complex organic networks, species interdependencies, and competition for resources. Also human exploitation.
Over centuries, larger trees were felled for sale in regular auctions. There is little evidence of coppicing. The rich mix of tree species across Toll Wood confirms that this woodland was not used for commercial forestry. No one species dominates. But, decades of neglect has allowed sycamore to invade and suppress the understorey. The woodland meadow is also suffering from sycamore.
Why has this mixture evolved?
Historically,Toll Wood was referred to as a "sporting wood". Intended as cover for game birds and deer destined for hunting for the table.
Smaller tree branches were often harvested to feed livestock during winter months. This over-wintering fodder came from lopping or coppicing. Drying and storing leafy branches took place in barns or outdoors in ricks. Up to the nineteenth century, the most succulent favourites for feeding livestock were: ash, elm, limes, willows and field maples. Any twigs left over became fire kindling.
On the flip-side, human decisions have led to several serious challenges for our wood:
- Neglect has congested and unbalanced the woodland at all levels;
- Careless tree imports into the UK have introduced many diseases and insects;
- Climate change allows new insects and diseases to get a toe-hold in our woodlands;
- More frequent extremes in weather conditions can quickly weaken and kill trees;
- Intensive agriculture leads to 'wind-drift' of artificial fertilisers, insecticides and herbicides. This can seriously damage the fragile ancient woodland ecosystems. It takes centuries to create the ancient woodland soil biome of today. The last thing vascular plants need is artificial levels of 'crop nutrients' and other harmful chemicals. Farming practices can lead to unbalanced damage to biodiversity and deplete our soil.
The simple truth is that Nature's clock is much slower to adapt than mankind's ability to inflict lasting damage.
It is in our hands to try and support the needs of our rich mix of native trees, shrubs, plants, invertebrates and fungi. Failure on our part will have widespread consequences. Losses in environmental biodiversity undermines invertebrates, birds, mammals, lichen, and fungi. Toll Wood is an engine of biodiversity inside and outside its boundaries.
Today, Toll Wood faces two potentially catastrophic "shocks":
- Dutch Elm Disease (DED) for our three species of elm
- Ash die-back
The Trust will meet these challenges. Succession-planting of new trees will repair any ecological gaps created by future losses through disease or old age. Each year, more tree species are facing new threats and stresses.
Recovery begins with addressing congestion of the canopy. This is stressing the woodland through lack of light and competition for water and nutrients. To do this we have introduced a programme of selective 'halo' thinning. Thinning adds light to the woodland floor plants and helps remaining trees to thrive. Felling and natural losses will usually be left where they fall. Fallen trees may also be used for enrichment features. For example, 'dry hedges' inside the woodland create refuges.
You can explore:-
- Our short-list of native trees suited to conditions in Toll Wood.
- The importance of insect populations and woodland species.
- The 'ecosystem services' that are delivered by mature tree species are enormous. Carbon capture, sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), pollution removal, physical and mental wellbeing.
Points of Interest:- Toll Wood might be seen as an 'accidental' (natural) study in the Miyawaki technique of woodland management. Our large pool of native tree species and its chronic congestion hints at some of the thinking of Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki. Broadly, this approach states that if you tightly plant mixed native species, competition will lead to dominance of those species best suited to local conditions of soil, aspect, rain, predators, disease. The practice accelerates growth rates too. This suggests an option for the southern part of Toll Wood for concentrated planting within the area in readiness to react to ash-dieback (if or when it hits us).
Tree Species found in Toll Wood
- English elm (Ulmus procera) - Biodiversity value
- Smooth-leaved/field elm (U. minor carpinifolia) - Biodiversity value
- Wych elm (U. glabra) - Biodiversity value
- Common Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) - Biodiversity value
- Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) - Biodiversity value
- Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) - Biodiversity value
- Field Maple (Acer campestre) - Biodiversity value
- Spindle (Euonymus europaeus) - Biodiversity value
- Beech (Fagus sylvatica) - Biodiversity value
- Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) - Biodiversity value
- Blackthorn/Sloe (Prunus spinosa) - Biodiversity value
- Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) - Biodiversity value
- Large-leaved lime (Tilia platyphyllos)
- English oak (Quercus robur) - Biodiversity value
- Wild Cherry (Prunus avium) - Biodiversity value
- Holly (Ilex Aquifolium) - Biodiversity value
- Native privet (Ligustrum vulgare) - Biodiversity value
- Hazel (Corylus avellana) - Biodiversity
- Scots Pine - dead - Biodiversity value
- Common Walnut (Juglans regia) - Non-native, in meadow edges
2025 boundary restoration and building diversity in the food reservoir (nectar, pollen, fruit, nuts, drupes)- Yew (Taxus baccata) - biodiversity value
- Silver birch (Betula pendula) - biodiversity value [TCV introduction]
- Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) - biodiversity value [TCV introduction]
- Dog Rose (Rosa canina) - biodiversity value [TCV introduction]
Note: "TCV" - The Conservation Volunteers, "I Dig Trees" initiative
