[quote=Tobyh;216870]Muldonach,
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My interest would not really be commercial - it would be leisure mainly for the family / friends etc. I would not be looking to make money from the timber. My investment comment was really thinking long term and resale value I didn't think was likely to go down if sold in the future.
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Ok well understood, if you are looking for an amenity purchase then obviously things to focus on will be biodiversity in terms of both tree species and type and hopefully some variation in ground type eg a mix of wet and dry which willl help with pond establishment if practicable. It is unlikely that resale value will decline unless some major event like a big windblow occurs. It is not so much a question of making money as avoiding something that is going to be a constant, unbudgeted drain on your finances.
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It really would be mainly for wildlife. I am quite ignorant on this subject as I've only just started looking into it but didn't think that would mean too much maintenance would be needed. I am fooling myself?
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You are probably correct in that too much management should not be required, however almost certainly some will since things do not stay still. If you want an amenity wood then I would say that the most important thing is to make sure it is convenient to you and family, to state the obvious you will get much more enjoyment out of something that is 10 minutes walk away than something which is 1 hours drive.
Next thing is to make sure you can get into it when you want to - is vehicle access possible all year round? On the other hand if it is too easy are you liable to fly tipping - we have one parcel which borders a road and you would not believe what we find on the roadside. It really winds me up since there is a council refuse site a few miles away and almost anything can be disposed of for free. In this respect you need to be aware that once dumped the refuse becomes your responsibility.
Look at the condition of stock fencing around your prospective purchase, it is important to exclude farm stock since cattle and sheep will rapidly denude any understory. Most boundary fences are on a shared maintenance basis, if you find that animals presently have free access then talk to the neighbours and suss out their attitudes before you buy.
Check for any existing wayleaves for utilities such as power, gas, water or sewage lines and make sure you understand rights and responsibilities on both sides - you will not be happy if you sow a wild flower mix for butterflies and someone arrives with a tractor powered swipe to clear the ground over a pipeline and prevent tree establishment.
Look at how much public access is involved, you will be liable for third party damage caused by e.g. trees falling over a fence or roadway. If the council gets involved in clearing your trees off a highway then expect to pay through the nose - they
will charge like a wounded bull!
Drains will normally require cleaning on a 3-5 year cycle, ponds on a longer cycle depending upon depth and construction.
As for prescriptive management it really depends what you want to see and how easily you want to see it, in forestry terms light = life and if you want real variety you need to create a mixture of light and shade on the forest floor and may have to face controlling invasive species such as bracken or some of the exotic imports.
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Badgers - I assume you mean if there are Setts on site then as they are protected it will make changing anything close almost impossible?
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Yes that is correct - bear in mind that it is illegal to disturb
Badgers in any way, if you are sharing a small wood with them they will make poor if interesting neighbours.
None of the above is intended to put you off by the way, we thoroughly enjoy being in and working in the woodland we own and manage - even with the black and white toerags. You should however be sure that you know what your objectives are and be realistic as to the amount of work and downside risk and costs that may be involved.
Oh - unless you are already suitably trained please don't pick up a chainsaw and head for the woods - it really does not take a big tree to kill you!
I should also post a health warning - it gets seriously addictive and I really look forward to the spring when the bluebells are up and the woodpeckers are working.
If there are any other specific questions please don't hesitate to post - if I cannot answer I should be able to steer you towards a source of info.
As an indication of what can be done have a look at "Will's Shoot Revisited" By Will Garfitt. Most people who visit here will probably not be entirely happy about the focus on fieldsports but it is a good illustration of what can be done with some very unprepossessing scrub.
One thing in your favour if you are looking for amenity is that the less valuable the wood the better it may suit you.
Cheers
mac
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