An ancient Welsh woodland planted extensively with conifers during the last century has become predominantly native broadleaf for the first time in around 100 years, following two decades of restoration by Coed Cadw, the Woodland Trust in Wales.
Coed Cadw acquired 353 hectares (873 acres) of Wentwood, between Newport and Chepstow, in 2006. Twenty years on, broadleaf trees now account for an estimated 54% of the canopy across the Trust-owned site, compared with around 43% conifer, excluding paths and tracks.
The milestone represents a significant step in the recovery of one of Wales’s most important woodland landscapes. Wentwood forms part of the largest block of ancient woodland in Wales: a forest stretching across more than 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) and a surviving fragment of the continuous woodland that once extended from the River Usk to the Wye.
Much of Wentwood’s remaining broadleaved woodland was felled during the world wars, and by the 1960s, all the land now owned by Coed Cadw had been planted with conifers. Since acquiring the site, the charity has gradually thinned conifer plantations and supported the return of native woodland, while restoring ancient woodland, heathland and wood pasture habitats.
The work has combined the careful removal and thinning of conifers with natural regeneration and active planting, including techniques such as direct seeding and drench planting.
Approximately 148 hectares are now covered by site native broadleaved woodland, in addition to the roughly 44 hectares of broadleaf woodland that was already present when Coed Cadw took over management. There are approximately 151 hectares of conifer woodland, and the remainder is tracks, paths and forest roads.
Rob Davies, Site Manager for South East Wales at Coed Cadw, said: “Native broadleaf woodlands support a much greater variety of species, so this milestone means Wentwood is well on the way to becoming a more diverse and special place for woodland plants and animals. Our focus now is on ongoing management in the form of thinning and felling of both the remaining conifer and the broadleaf woodland to ensure this trend continues.”
The restoration is intended to create a healthier and more resilient woodland, with a richer range of native habitats for wildlife. More than 70 bird species and 23 butterfly species have been recorded at Wentwood, which also supports hazel dormice, bats, adders, otter, southern wood ants and woodland plants including bluebells, wood anemones and honeysuckle.
Recent pine marten sightings have provided a striking reminder of the variety of wildlife using the woodland. The species is among those visitors may be fortunate enough to encounter signs of at Wentwood, alongside goshawks, nightjar, common lizard, wood warblers, and native roe deer.
Prior to active management by Coed Cadw, natural regeneration of native broadleaf species was poor because of a combination of high deer numbers and dense conifer shade. Now both these factors are being well managed the forest is regenerating well, with an increase in ground flora diversity in many areas.
Rob Davies continued: “Woodland species require a diversity of woodland habitats and forests that have a mix of tree species and ages; without the active restoration of ancient woodland, the well documented declines in these species would continue. What’s more, woodland canopies with a good variety of tree species are needed to ensure that our forests are resistant to the increasing threats of tree disease, wildfire and drought – linked in part, to our changing climate. The restoration work at Wentwood will ensure that it continues to be a haven for wildlife for generations to come.”
Wentwood has a history stretching back thousands of years. Bronze Age funerary barrows remain on its ridge tops, while the woodland is mentioned in the 12th-century Book of Llandaff. It later provided timber and charcoal for local industry and was once part of the hunting grounds of Chepstow Castle.
Today, its extensive network of roads, tracks, footpaths and bridleways makes it a popular destination for walking, cycling, horse riding and orienteering. The 77km (48-mile) Usk Valley Walk also passes through the forest.
Wentwood is also part of the National Forest for Wales and is free for everyone to visit.
