I read the article with great interest in your enthusiasm. I’d like to know where this woodland is because I have a 7 acre ancient woodland in Gwynedd, N Wales that I cherish for its biodiversity. My management strategy is to avoid clearance of fallen trees and wild undergrowth to leave nature to look after itself. Since I invested in the woodland, ash dieback came to the country, and my trees are mainly ash, sessile oak, hazel and other native trees. I decided to observe my huge stands of ash with a theory that some might survive, genetically, and keep the woodland characteristics by natural regeneration. This strategy seems to have shown that my “no clearing” method is hopefully successful, and supported by professional ecologists invited to observe the site. The same concern has been used in studying possible encroachment of acute oak decline in the area. My woodland is also recognised for its temperate rainforest features.
I believe that too much human control of natural landscapes, along with climate change and pollution caused by humans, result in irreversible damage.
Brambles and nettles are important wildlife habitats and saturated ground hosts important features such as mosses and connected wildlife.
My woodland has no obvious paths for humans, but a maze of animal tracks and foraging areas. Wind blown trees are left propped against each other or rotting on the ground. I only clear trees and brambles that encroach or threaten danger to a public right of way. I guess that your woodland could well become an even better place if left to develop its own bio diversity, alongside a possible wildlife meadow – something that I would really cherish!

That’s fabulous. I have always wanted to do this but never found the right place, and when I did I didn’t have the money to get it. Now I have got a bit of money, and I’m finding out it might be a bit late in life to do it, but I still look and keep hoping I can find a little place somewhere, where I can carry out my dreams. Good luck with yours