PAWS Seminar

A seminar held in Alford by the Woodland Trust Scotland, Scottish Native Woods and the Forestry Commission drew forest managers and owners from across the region to share strategies for managing and restoring Planted Ancient Woodland Sites or ‘PAWS’.

PAWS are ancient woods that were formerly semi-natural but have been replanted with exotic conifers, with drastic impacts on biodiversity. Delegates heard that often, relatively minor interventions may be all that is needed to conserve and enhance surviving ancient woodland remnants – such as veteran trees or specialist plants.

During a site visit to Castle Forbes estate, debate focussed on balancing economic issues with a move towards more natural woodland conditions. A significant factor was the recent change in the UK Woodland Assurance Standard, which now calls for all PAWS to be under restoration management. This new requirement underlines the urgency of the situation: most PAWS will reach economic maturity in the next 10 years; if they are felled and replanted again with non-native conifers there is little hope that their fragile ancient woodland communities will survive.

Priscilla Gordon-Duff, chair of Grampian Forestry Forum, summed up the day by describing the seminar as an excellent starting point, but pointed out that there was a need for further action and awareness raising. She undertook to apply her new knowledge in her own woodlands, and to put the management of PAWS on the agenda for consideration by Grampian Regional Forestry Forum.

Notes for Editors

‘Managing PAWS: A gradual process rather than a quick fix’ was a seminar organised by The Woodland Trust Scotland, Forestry Commission Scotland and Scottish Native Woods on September 26th 2008 at Alford Public Hall, Alford and Blackknap Wood, Castle Forbes Estate, Aberdeenshire.

Another seminar on the same theme is planned for Grantown-on-Spey in spring 2009.

For further details about PAWS restoration and management, please contact
Peter Lowe peterlowe@woodlandtrust.org.uk
or
Carol Roberston carol.robertson@scottishnativewoods.org.uk
or
Gavin Legge gavin.legge@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

The Woodland Trust: The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. It has 300,000 members and supporters. The Trust has four key aims: i) No further loss of ancient woodland; ii) Restoring and improving the biodiversity of woods; iii) Increasing new native woodland; iv) Increasing people’s understanding and enjoyment of woodland.
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres).
In 1984, the Trust acquired its first wood in Scotland. Today the Trust owns 80 sites across Scotland covering 8,500 hectares. Further news can be accessed via www.woodlandtrust.org.uk
Scottish Native Woods is a registered Scottish Charity which exists to rescue, restore and expand Scotland’s native (natural) woodlands.
Forestry Commission Scotland serves as the forestry directorate of the Scottish Government, advising on and implementing forestry policy and managing the national forest estate.