Green-tech Supports Woodland Creation Project in Grimley with Wessex Woodland Management

Background

In November 2024, a significant woodland creation project was undertaken in Grimley, north of Worcester, covering 7.18 hectares. The initiative, led by Wessex Woodland Management, was funded under the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO)—a government grant designed to support landowners in creating new woodlands across England. The objective is to establish a mixed woodland to provide wildlife habitat and enhance the woodland cover locally.

The EWCO scheme provides funding for woodland establishment, with additional payments available for projects that deliver benefits such as carbon capture, biodiversity enhancement, and improved water quality. This project aligns with those objectives, aiming to increase local woodland cover, create wildlife habitats, and support future sustainable timber production.

The Project

Wessex Woodland Management based in Berkshire, specialise in sustainable forestry and woodland management across England and Wales. With a portfolio of over 10,000 hectares of woodland, they provide bespoke woodland solutions for private landowners, estates, and public sector clients. They undertook this woodland creation project on behalf of Landowner Jon Hickton

Products used

The planting density was set at 1,600 stems per hectare, comprising 80% mixed native broadleaves and 20% mixed conifers. To protect the young trees from local deer populations, specifically muntjac and roe deer, the following Tubex shelters were used:

1.2m tree shelters for broadleaves to protect against muntjac and roe deer species
0.6m shrub shelters for conifers to ensure successful establishment
To improve soil conditions, the site was subsoiled at 2.5m intervals before planting to break up compacted ground and encourage deeper root growth.

The woodland has been designed with biodiversity and long-term sustainability in mind. In the short term, it will provide an important habitat for wildlife, while in the medium term, firewood for the owner and in the long term, it is expected to support timber production.

Green-tech involvement

Wessex Woodland Management chose Green-tech as their supplier for this project due to their efficient delivery service and competitive pricing. John Parker of Wessex Woodland Management commented: "Green-tech has always been a reliable supplier for our woodland projects. Their prices are competitive and their ability to organise deliveries efficiently is invaluable to us, and we know we can trust their products to perform in the long term. The Tubex shelters are an excellent choice for this site, given the presence of deer in the area."

Green-tech is the largest distributor of Tubex Tree Shelters which were selected because of their proven effectiveness in tree establishment and protection. The shelters create a micro-climate that improves initial growth, reduces water stress, and shields young trees from browsing animals and herbicide applications. Wessex Woodland Management have firsthand experience of how they will perform in the medium to long term.

The Outcome

John Parker of Wessex Woodland Management adds, “We have used the Tubex shelter for a long time and know how it will perform in the medium to long term. The landowner Jon Hickton has expressed his satisfaction with the planting work and the efficiency of the process. In the medium to long term the objective is to provide some firewood for the owner and in the long term some timber production. I am delighted that this project is set to bring long-term environmental and economic benefits, demonstrating the value of sustainable woodland management.”

This project is a testament to how Wessex Woodland Management Ltd. and Green-tech are working together to enhance woodland landscapes across the UK with high-quality products and expertise.

Client: Landowner Jon Hickton

Contractor: Wessex Woodland Management Ltd

Product Supplied: Tubex tree shelters