Thinning of woodland will attract butterflies (From Ledbury Reporter)

Thinning of woodland will attract butterflies

9:30am Sunday 1st April 2012 in News

THINNING of two woodland areas at the southern end of the Malvern Hills will be taking place during the summer.

Eastnor Castle Estate has appointed timber contractors to work in Gullet Wood and Wintercombe Wood over the next six months.

The woods are both designated Sites of Scientific Special Interest and the thinning work was been guided by recommendations from the Forestry Commission and Natural England.

Spokesman Emma Tolley said: “The intention is to open up the woodland canopy to allow more light on to the bare woodland floor, to encourage understorey growth where plants have been shaded out and to create an uneven age structure to increase biodiversity and wildlife habitats.

“It has been some years since there has been much activity in the estate’s woodlands and the proposed thinning of these woods is all part of sustainable woodland management.”

The increased light will provide particular benefits to the drab looper moth and the silver washed fritillary butterfly.

Meanwhile woodland flowers such as wood spurge and dog violets, which are essential food for caterpillars, will also be able to flourish.

Felled timber will either be used in building, furniture and firewood markets in the UK.