Forestry: Forest Plan

A Forest Plan is a plan for a forest area, in line with the Forest District policy for the wider area, which sets out how the owners or management guardians of the forest aim to manage the woodland over the next 30+ years.

It provides

• a description of the woods as they are now
• outlines the main points to be considered in caring for the forest
• describes how the forest will develop over time 
• gives information about planned tree felling and replanting in the future

Characteristics of Arlen Hill Forest

Arlen Hill Forest is an important, integral part of a mixed pastoral and wooded valley landscape. Within an attractive rolling mixed landscape the forest occupies a prominent position, dominating the eastern bank of the River Arlen in this location.

The woodland occupies gentle slopes and spans altitudes between 100 to 170 metres with a full range of aspects. Southerly and easterly areas of the woodland are more sheltered with better soils compared to the western half of the forest where the soils are predominantly wetter peaty gleys, and exposure is greater to the prevailing westerly winds.

Conifers in Arlen Hill Forest

This mainly coniferous forest has been substantially restructured within the last plan review after a catastrophic storm in 2005 which caused many of the older coupes to blow over, with much of the damage to stands in the southern part of the forest. As such the age distribution of the forest is relatively young when compared to other sites in the district.

Mixed broadleaf ancient semi-natural woodland in Arlen Hill Forest

The northern area of the forest is comprised of ancient semi natural woodland (ASNW). ASNW sites have been woodland for several centuries with trees forming the canopy having arisen naturally rather than through planting. These are important because the species composition, woodland structure and distribution of trees are more diverse and natural, reflecting the site’s history and ecology.