Penstave Copse – path closure to manage Ash Dieback: Ash Dieback is killing ash trees across Europe. Usually, affected trees are removed along public paths, but the Woodland Trust, which manages Penstave Copse, wants to do things differently, putting trees and wildlife first. Although unfortunately, some ash trees will still have to be removed, they want to close a path, so that trees can be left as deadwood, a unique habitat for fungi, insects, birds and bats and to prevent erosion, they would like to redirect a path away from the river. Penstave’s management plan will be reviewed in July; please email operations@woodlandtrust.org.uk, or call 0330 333 3300 for a summary of the proposed plan or to comment. There will be consultation walks at 10am, 12pm and 2pm on 10 July with assistant site manager Sam Manning, who will explain more about ash dieback (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus), the impact it is having, and how this management work will contribute to the overall ecological resilience of the wood. If you would like to join the walk, which is part of the consultation for the management plan, see: woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/things-to-do/events/consultation-walk-at-penstave-copse/ for details of how to book a place.
