Hello there
I received an e-mail from our local Putnoe focus Team recently. This is one of the articles that was mentioned.
** Putnoe WoodNews has reached us that approximately 50 dead oak trees will be felled inPutnoe Wood during November. This is because of a condition known as “acuteoak decline”. This is to help stop the spread and remove any hazard from thedead trees. All or part of the wood will be closed whilst the work takes place. Other trees and shrubs in the area should recover quickly and there will bere-planting in the future.
I really hope this is not going to represent a problem with the Reserve in the future. I have already mentioned it the Bedford birding Group so I have spread the news around.
There are fantastic species in this one small area of woodland including Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers. Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpeckers. Goldcrests, not to mention Treecreepers and numerous other habitants, This where we saw our Firecrests.
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Hi Blackbird, I do know that the Royal Forestry Society are concerned about oak tree health and a syndrome known as Acute Oak Decline (AOD), which can cause crown weakening and other debitation in the trees, and that they are in contact with Forest Research about the issue - they can be contacted if you need any further advice. You can report areas effected by AOD here.
Hi Lloyd
Thank you for your information, and it given me information on the subject at hand. I can see the importance about issues to do with diseased Trees now.
I have bumped up this thread once more to say I have visited Putnoe Wood Local Nature Reserve today, and it looks a bit of a war zone at the moment. There have been a lot of heavy vehicles in the wood as the tracks are very wide and muddy now. Hopefully the lucious spring growth will help juvenate the wood once more.
I could hear plenty of bird song but not a sound from any members of the Woodpecker family. Usually there are lots of Yaffles but not one. The weather was bright and sunny.
Even though the wood lacked the well loved Woodpeckers - hope that they are not too affected by the recent disturbance...and come back when the weather is improved.
Some pictures in the next post ...
First picture of the path as you walk in from the Putnoe Lane end.
Second picture the same path but further on
Third picture a picture of the main walk through the middle of the Wood
What a shame, Kathy, both for the woodpeckers and the folk who walk in the woods and admire the wildlife. I hope normality is soon restored.
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
Hi Sparrow
Thank you for your thoughtful reply.
I do feel a little sad, for the area and especially the Woodpeckers (GSW's. Green Woodpeckers, the Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers) Nuthatches and Treecreepers as they have made it their home. The woodland suited their nesting requirements to a tee.
I also thought it was wrong to bring large vehicles into the Reserve as it is very closed in with trees, and the tracks have been widened too much. They are very boggy and have no shape now. There are new tracks that where never there before! Not well planned me thinks.
Wonder how long it will take to sort out the aftermath and some more time spent to fix the public access areas.
There has been mention of replanting Trees in the area (I assume they will be Oak Trees) - we will see what happens next.
Hi Kathy,
You don't say who owns the wood. Is it Council owned? If so, a quick visit to the relevant Town or County Hall might be a good idea. There will be plans available to see, which will show what the intentions are, with a timetable of proposed work. You might then have a better idea of what you are up against.
I hope all goes well. The problem with oak trees is they take an awful long time to grow!
It is owned by Bedford Borough Council land surrounding it ie park, and a privately owned golf course alongside the Reserve.
The Council keep the wood open for the public for reason that it is cherished as a Nature Reserve. They do have the reason right in those terms, so it is up to them what they do.
Yes, Oak Trees take forever to grow. Maybe they will get faster growing Broadland/Ancient Trees of some sort. The new Trees are not planted yet so I will watch out for the new saplings.
I found a person to contact so I will have a think what to ask.
It seems that the officer is a specially allocated Officer for Greenspace so he will know what the is doing.
Will have a think here.
Well in someways this is a bit of a swings and roundabouts issue! The national increase in the population of GS woodpeckers has been linked to the widespread outbreaks of dutch elm disease in the UK since the late 60's. This dramatically increased the amount of deadwood stands and so provided good breeding habitat for both GSWs and their common foods.
Sudden Oak Disease affects a huge range of different species and so it is best management practice for the site to remove the affected deadwood to curb the spread as much as possible. As a introduced pathogen it's incredibly difficult to control other than ensuring controlled disposal of affected vegetation. Early on in the year is also the best time to get this kind of work done where necessary - no nesters/natural foods mostly stripped.
Faster growing tree species would perhaps act as a helping hand in the meantime though to sustain the birds which will breed on the site. Certainly ash and birch are fast growing and yield good caterpillar crops fors tits and some finch species. As you say - lets hope that things settle down and flourish in the run up to spring. Let us know if theres anything else which needs clarifying. I'm sure the management side of things are in safe hands with the greenspace officer!
Thank you for your very informative reply about the situation at Putnoe Wood.
I never knew that Dutch Elm disease would have such an effect on the Woodpecker population...only to increase it! I still remember all the contraversy when the Dutch Ealm disease was at its worst all those years ago.
I knew that there a lot of dead trees in Putnoe, and that is probabily due to the fact that they are diseased - did not know why until i hears of the Oak disease. Woodpeckers really do love their dead 'upright' hollow Trees.
It does make sense that the the work was done in December so there is new generation of Tree's and other growth to substain the wealth wildlife once more.
I think another few visits to the Reserve will be on my agenda the next few months and see how things pan out. Love to see what species of trees are planted in the area.
The main thing is that I would love to hear, and see the Woodpeckers once more. They make the place what it is - special and a little piece of heaven.
Unknown said: Well in someways this is a bit of a swings and roundabouts issue! The national increase in the population of GS woodpeckers has been linked to the widespread outbreaks of dutch elm disease in the UK since the late 60's. This dramatically increased the amount of deadwood stands and so provided good breeding habitat for both GSWs and their common foods. Sudden Oak Disease affects a huge range of different species and so it is best management practice for the site to remove the affected deadwood to curb the spread as much as possible. As a introduced pathogen it's incredibly difficult to control other than ensuring controlled disposal of affected vegetation. Early on in the year is also the best time to get this kind of work done where necessary - no nesters/natural foods mostly stripped. Faster growing tree species would perhaps act as a helping hand in the meantime though to sustain the birds which will breed on the site. Certainly ash and birch are fast growing and yield good caterpillar crops fors tits and some finch species. As you say - lets hope that things settle down and flourish in the run up to spring. Let us know if theres anything else which needs clarifying. I'm sure the management side of things are in safe hands with the greenspace officer!
Kathy, I have been following this thread with great interest, so thanks for raising the issue in the first place.
Lloyd, Thank you so much for detailed explanation about dutch elm disease and GSW's. It is so logical now you have explained it all, but something that has never entered my mind at all.