West of England Woodland Opportunity Study

LUC were commissioned by the Forest of Avon Trust to produce a landscape sensitivity assessment to tree and woodland planting for the West of England region. The assessment forms an extension of a previous study undertaken by LUC for Bath and North East Somerset Council in 2021 and covers both North Somerset and South Gloucestershire local authority areas. This report covers the South Gloucestershire local authority area.

The Landscape Sensitivity Assessment (LSA) to Tree and Woodland Planting provides judgements on the landscape sensitivity of different parts of the South Gloucestershire landscape to future tree and woodland planting. It also provides guidance to help guide new woodland planting in line with the ‘right tree, right place’ principles. This is strategic level assessment and is not indicative of specific, locally targeted woodland creation opportunities.

The existing classification of Landscape Character Types (LCTs) and Landscape Character Areas (LCAs) as set out in the South Gloucestershire Landscape Character Assessment (draft for adoption 2024) form the spatial framework for the landscape sensitivity assessment. A map showing the extent of the study area is provided at 6. Landscape Profiles.

The method for this assessment is described at the 4.3 Method page and the results are presented on the 4.4 Landscape Sensitivity results page. Individual assessment profiles for each LCT are presented at the relevant 6. Landscape Profiles page of this website.

A guidance checklist on good practice principles for new woodland planting in South Gloucestershire is provided at 7. Planting and Best Practice Guidance.

According to data recorded in the National Forest Inventory (NFI) where woodland is defined as areas greater than 0.5 ha (National Forest Inventory (NFI) data published annually by Forest Research maps the extent and location of all woodland over 0.5ha in size), South Gloucestershire has 3027 ha of woodland, equivalent approximately 6% of total landcover in the district. This compares to 8% across the west of England Region and is lower than the national average of 10% across England. Trees outside woodland, including hedgerow and field trees, copses, riparian corridors and scrub also contribute to the wooded character of the landscape, as well as the overall tree cover within a given area. The Forest of Avon Plan states that ‘if individual trees, groups of trees and woodland less than 0.5ha in size are included, and extrapolating from SW survey figures, actual tree cover…across the West of England is estimated to be approximately 30% higher‘.

Trees and woodlands across South Gloucestershire mainly comprise native broadleaf species. Common species include ash, sycamore, beech, English oak, English elm, hazel, field maple, holly, wych elm, yew, common hawthorn, and blackthorn.

The proportion of coniferous woodland cover in the West of England (13%) is significantly lower than the proportion in England (26%). Large coniferous plantations are not a key characteristic of South Gloucestershire, with existing coniferous tree planting largely restricted to designed planting schemes within historic parklands and screening belts around quarry areas.

Current woodland cover in South Gloucestershire is highest in LCT 3: Parkland Vale at almost 12% (calculated from NFI data), comprising a mosaic of broadleaf woodland, ancient woodland and extensive planting associated with Tortworth Court and Eastwood Park historic estates. It also has the highest percentage of ancient woodland in South Gloucestershire, just under 4%. The proportion of ancient woodland is also relatively high in LCT 4: Shallow Ridge (3.8%) and LCT 7: Undulating Ridge (3.1%).

Valley sides, scarp slopes and sloping ground associated with ridges are also typically associated with high woodland coverage. This includes LCT 5: Enclosed Valleys (8.7%) incorporating the Avon Valley and Golden Valley, the LCT 1: Cotswold Plateau and Scarp (8.6%), and LCT 7: Undulating Ridge (8.2%), comprising the Severn and Ridgeway/Tytherington Ridges.

Areas with the lowest woodland cover include LCT 8: Estuary, Shorelines and Levels (1.4%) and LCT 4 Shallow Vale (1.7%). Woodland cover is also relatively low in LCT 6: Broad Valleys, with 4.5% woodland cover. These LCTs also have low ancient woodland cover, all with less than 2% (and less than 1% in LCT 8).

Defined as woodlands that date back to at least 1600 AD, Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland (ASNW) and Planted Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS), are nationally important because of their rich and complex ecology as well as their landscape and cultural value. South Gloucestershire has 930ha of ASNW and PAWS, accounting for around 1.9% of land cover in the district, which is one of the highest in the West of England region, and below the national average of around 2.5%.

Lower Woods near Wickwar (within LCA 5: Wickwar Ridge and Vale) is one of the largest areas of ancient woodland in the South West of England at almost 300 ha, and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI) for its biodiversity value and the range of species it supports. Ancient broadleaved woodland (particularly along the crest of the escarpment) is noted as special quality of the Cotswold National Landscape and contributes to local distinctiveness.

Trees outside woodland (TOW) play an important role in contributing to the canopy cover across South Gloucestershire, particularly in LCTs where woodland cover is low. For example, woodland cover in LCT 6: Broad Valleys is relatively low (4.5%), but TOW account for almost 10% of canopy cover in this LCT. Trees outside woodland also account for a relatively high proportion of tree canopy cover in LCT 5: Enclosed Valleys (9.4%). And LCT 7: Undulating Ridge (8%).

Woodland condition across the region is varied and there are challenges to protecting and managing existing woodlands, as well as establishing new woodland. Fragmentation as a result of urban development or clearance for agricultural use is a significant pressure, and can degrade habitats and damage ecological corridors. Under-management and increased levels of recreational disturbance also present a threat to the integrity and condition of woodland habitats.

Woodland condition and extent will be increasingly affected by climate change (with beech and sycamore coverage expected to decline). Tree health is declining due to pests and diseases, particularly ash dieback (with 85% of ash trees expected to succumb to the disease in the West of England), as well as increased prevalence of Phytopthora spp. and localised occurrences of Dutch Elm disease.

Grazing pressure from domesticated and wild animals presents a threat to existing woodlands as well as the establishment of new woodlands. Ageing field and hedgerow trees are also at risk from disease, lack of management or from the intense flailing of hedges. Traditional orchards have historically been an important feature of the landscape, but many have been lost or removed. This follows a national trend – it is estimated that 90% of traditional orchards have been lost since the 1950s nationwide.