The High Weald AONB Unit's Woodland Restoration Officer has assisted the owners of 500 acres of woodland near Battle with the drawing up of a 20-year felling schedule for their woodlands. The aim of the schedule is to create a sustainable annual supply of timber that will mainly be used to supply woodchip for heating of a new school at Bexhill.
One of the challenges for the owner is ensuring an even supply of timber annually, despite areas of woodland that are quite different being worked on a 5-year cycle and rotation lengths varying from 20 years to 120 years.
The woodlands are home to important populations of butterflies and the woodland management planned in the 20-year felling schedule is being seen as crucial by butterfly conservation experts to ensuring that the butterfly populations are able to flourish.