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The reversion of Chalkney Wood to site native species
SIMON LEATHERDALE
Forestry Commission
Abstract
Chalkney Wood S.S.S.I, in Essex is a Forestry Commission was planted with
large ancient woodland site. 34% of it has non-site native species between 1959 and
remained ancient semi-natural wood under 1964. This paper explains the policy now
the ownership of Essex County Council, in effect of reverting this latter portion of
The remaining 66%, owned by the the wood to site native species.
Introduction
Chalkney Wood lies on the south side of the Colne Valley and to the east of Earls Colne. In
excess of 200 acres (75ha) it ranks amongst the largest extant ancient woodland sites in the
county. The southern part (25ha) is owned and managed by Essex County Council and is
classed as Ancient Semi-natural Woodland (ASNW), having never been replanted with alien
species to any great extent The northern area (49ha) is owned by the Forestry Commission and
managed by its executive agency, Forest Enterprise.
Past Management
The Commission bought the freehold in l956 from Mr. Walther of Chalkney Mill and in line
with the then current policy cleared the 'scrub' (all quality timber had been felled prior to
acquisition) and proceeded to plant conifers plus some beech, sweet chestnut and poplar.
Of the 49ha acquired all but 2.5ha were cleared and planted. Fortunately a scattering of mostly
small-leaved lime and hornbeam standards were left to form 'dapple shade' in order to protect
the infant crop with the intention of killing them later and allowing them to disintegrate
standing. Regrowth of native 'weed' species was repeatedly sprayed (via knapsack sprayers)
with 2-4-5-T and 2,4D Brushwood killer. By 1985 the site was considered to have slipped
below the standard criteria to justify it as an S.S.S.I, and it was consequently denotified by the
Nature Conservancy Council.
At this point several apparently unrelated events conspired to redirect the management of the wood.
First, (chronologically but not necessarily in order of merit) Dr. Rackham convinced the
Commission that all was not lost and that there were signs of regeneration of native species, so
sympathetic management might pay dividends. He also made clear the importance of the wood
both historically and ecologically.
Second, the conifer crops were approaching a saleable size so a roadway suitable for large
articulated lorries was constructed along existing rides to the heart of Chalkney to enable cost
effective extraction of thinnings. This entailed felling out a 25m wide swath along the ride and
bringing in stone to surface it; 3 lime stools and 9 early purple orchid were successfully
translocated in the process.
Finally, in October 1987 and January 1990 gales struck and started the process of
deconiferisation.
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 16 (1999)