Silviculture of hardwoods in Great Britain

Abstract

Many changes have occurred over the last 70 years: broadleaves no longer exceed conifers in area and coppice has declined markedly. While we see many neglected woods, especially on farms, the depressingly poor quality of much oak which Guillebaud laments is not now viewed so seriously. Today, broadleaves are grown for a wider variety of objectives and not just for fine timber. While excellent stem form remains highly desirable, achieving it is not so critical where amenity, conservation or landscape objectives are uppermost. A major advance since Guillebaud's time is more rapid establishment owing to herbicides and tree shelters though we still plant broadleaves too far apart. Natural regeneration is again being encouraged but we now have to add grey squirrels and muntjac deer causing severe depredations besides the animals Guillebaud listed. Broadleaves have a much more favourable press today because they are favoured for many more uses than simply timber production. This shift is the greatest contrast with 70 years ago and the greatest influence on what silvicultural practices to adopt.