The Haddon Estate has some 600 acres of woodland, some of which is rare ancient naturally regenerating forest, but most has been planted over the centuries by the Manners family. Woodland management by its very nature is an extremely long term activity; and the strategy is to use these natural assets both for commercial gain and most importantly to improve the natural habitat.
An ancient oak, many hundreds of years old; just above the remains of the Saxon village of Nether Haddon. Ancient Oak trees provide an incredible habitat for insects and birds. Note the fencing to protect the roots from damage from livestock.
These lovely mature Oaks are in the medieval park surrounding Haddon Hall.
Ancient Trees
The estate has some fine ancient trees, particularly Ash and Oak.
Young Oak Wood
This young oak wood, just above Bowling Green Farm, is probably 30-50 years old. It was thinned in 2008 to take out the “nursery” species, mainly larch and spruce, which were planted amongst the oaks to make them develop long straight trunks. This thinning enables the young oaks to develop into fine trees, and lets light onto the forest floor thereby allowing wild flowers, bushes, and other young trees to get established. Note the log pile in the foreground – these log piles from the otherwise useless thinnings from the softwoods are left on the forest floor to decompose naturally providing habitat for fungi and insects; nesting sites for birds and small mammals; and a natural larder for larger mammals, and birds such as owls.