Alder Carr Woodland – W5

Alnus glutinosa – Carex paniculata woodland

Sparse distribution across the county.

Alder Carr. Fringes of swamp or fen.

Impervious drift materials. Fen peats.

Wet and waterlogged organic soils, base rich and moderately eutrophic. Surface water gleys.

Alder, Downy Birch, Grey Willow.

Greater Tussock-sedge, Marsh Horsetail, Tufted Hair Grass, Marsh Marigold, Meadowsweet, Wild Angelica, Common Valerian, Pendulous Sedge and ferns.

In mature stands Alder dominates the canopy with an understorey of Grey Sallow

Timber production is rarely practical or desirable. Low intervention approaches are best.
Maintain the wetness of the site – avoid changes in hydrology through on or off-site drainage.
Exclude livestock unless grazing is long established and known to be beneficial.
Alder & willow regenerate freely on wet ground – planting is not always necessary.
Maintain and increase the numbers of old trees and dead wood.
Avoid damage from the tracking of vehicles or poaching by stock.
Maintain areas of open ground.

New wetland sites. Avoid areas of existing conservation value.

Simple planting mixtures of Alder and Grey Willow with smaller numbers of Birch..

Forestry Commission Forestry Practice Guide 8: Wet Woodlands can be downloaded from Forestry Commissions Publications pages.