Courses in Continuous Cover Forest Management

Irregular Silviculture In The Lowlands: Transformation In Practice Course

Marking is a difficult skill to learn, particularly within an unfamiliar discipline such as Irregular Silviculture.

These Courses provide an in-depth introduction to the theory and practical application of irregular silviculture in coniferous and broadleaved stands with the emphasis on lowland forests.

The Courses incorporate a marking exercise in which the trainees, in groups of two, undertake the marking decision process for themselves within a 1 ha stand under transformation and interact with two experienced practitioners. On the completion of the marking exercise, the trees selected for removal by each group are inputted into a spreadsheet which provides a detailed summary of the silvicultural and economic consequences of the each marking. These data can be compared between the groups and with the marking of the local manager.

The two-day course incorporates site visits in irregular coniferous and broadleaved stands and looks in detail at the silviculture of transformation and the monitoring of stand structure and performance. Course contents also include the economics of transformation and the relationship between Irregular Silviculture and biodiversity.

The Courses are based on the Stourhead (Western) Estate in Stourton, near Mere, and the Rushmore and Cranborne Estates on the Wiltshire/Dorset border. The Courses are designed for 14-16 trainees and will be led by Andy Poore and David Pengelly, both leading exponents of Continuous Cover Forest Management.