Waresley & Gransden Woods

Welcome to waresleywood.co.uk, a website dedicated to providing information on all topics relating to the Waresley and Gransden Woods reserves of The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire.

News - 07/01/2025

Following the wintery weather, the paths in the woods are once again muddy and slippery. Visitors should take care, wear sturdy footwear and keep to the middle of paths.

One of the paths in the wood still remains temporarily closed until the ground dries enough for the removal of ruts along it. This closure means that the first section of the re-profiled "main ride" has become a cul de sac, without exit. The second, newly profiled ride section will remain closed for two years to allow the ground to resettle and re-vegetate.

Sunday work parties are running once a fortnight. If you'd like to join us, contact me using the form on the About page. View the Conservation Work web page for more details of the work we carry out.

29/12/2024 - an update from last year's work party session. Today we managed to layer four hazel stools to (hopefully) generate four new hazel trees. During the layering process, a hazel pole is cut, bent and finally buried. The "live" end of the pole should then grow new roots and start growing independantly. When the new tree is established, the bent pole is removed.

29/12/2024 - most of the hazel has now been cut in the coppice section in the glade. A lot of small aspen saplings have been left for later removal and stump poisoning by the Trust. A number of really large hazel stools remain, which I shall clear with the chainsaw. A small number of larger aspen in this area will be felled at the end of January, also by the Trust.

24/12/2024 - hmmm.... December 24th, it must be Christmas Eve and time for a festive web site update. As the card says, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all my cyber visitors.

15/12/2024 - fortunately we had fine, sunny weather for the work party this Sunday. Further hazel was coppiced in the glade side section, which is becoming a much clearer space. Individual hazel poles are being left standing for future layering (growing on as new trees). The aspen trees within this section will be felled towards the end of January 2025.