Ranger's notebook - Plantations
Ranger's notebook. Section 5. Plantations
- Forests of
conifers, planted on heath, or where the old woodland had been cut down.
- Older plantations can look out-of-place and unnatural - straight edges, trees all one age and type. Now, a mixture of types and ages of tree are grown - nicer to look at and better habitats for wildlife.
- Evergreen conifer forests shade out the sun - too dark for green plants to grow. But fungus do well - they don't need light - look out for fly agaric, boletus, jews ear fungus and puffballs.
- Trees regularly cut down for timber - Heath plants grow well in the cleared areas.
- Nightjars(summertime) and crossbills (winter time) find the food they want in the plantations.
- Paths, tracks and grassy rides through the forests. Great for Walkers, horse riders, cyclists, so humans can enjoy the forest.
- Good cover for deer,
badgers,
foxes, rabbits and grey squirrels.
This is where birds of prey, e.g.
buzzards, build their nests.
