About the forest plan area

This Forest Plan (FP) summarises proposals by Forestry England for the management of the Birklands. The Birklands FP area is a single wooded block of 587ha and is wholly leasehold, comprising woodlands leased from the Welbeck, Thoresby and Fitzherbert Estates.

Situated in North Nottinghamshire, Birklands lies between the villages of Market Warsop and Edwinstowe, approximately 9km NE of Mansfield centre. The woodland straddles two local authorities: Newark and Sherwood District to the east and Mansfield District to the west.

The Birklands falls within the Sherwood National Character Area (NCA). The elevation is between 60-120m and the landform is relatively flat with gently rolling hills and shallow valleys. The NCA is characterised by woodland (both historic oak/birch wood pasture and more recent pine plantations), large estate parklands, heathland, open arable land and a strong mining heritage. The Birklands is contiguous with woodland in Sherwood Forest Country Park and the Thoresby Estate, sitting within the well-wooded wider landscape including Clumber, Bilhaugh and Sherwood Pines. The woodland is prominent in the local landscape with principal views from the A6075 road to the south (between Mansfield Woodhouse/Edwinstowe) and Netherfield Road to the north (between Meden Vale and Budby).

The principle geology is Permo-Triassic reddish sandstone with nutrient poor, well-drained, sandy and coarse loamy soils. The species composition and forest type are mixed. It consists of conifer plantation with significant mature broadleaved components in the secondary woodland to the north and west, alongside SSSI-designated ancient oak-birch woodland pasture to the south and east. The population of veteran and ancient oaks and standing hulks is internationally important.

Objectives of the plan

The primary management objectives for the Birklands forest plan are to: 

• Maintain and improve the ecological value of the priority habitats, the Trees of Special Interest (TSI) and the open and woodland edge habitats. 
• Sustainably grow commercial timber using species and systems resilient to the impacts of pests, diseases and climate change to maximise yields and prioritise producing quality timber. 
• Conserve the heritage features and maintain public access. 

What we'll do

The current plan outlines the management proposals for the Birklands over the next 50 years. Felling is approved for the 10 year Forest Plan period until 8 October 2034. In addition to the below felling summary, thinning assessments will be made every five years and thinning operations scheduled accordingly. 

A more detailed outline of the forest structure and planned operations can be seen in the full Birklands Forest Plan document, which can be downloaded below.