Woodlands in Radnorshire

Radnorshire is home to a wide variety of woodland habitat. The majority of the vice-county is coniferous, but broadleaved woodland can be found throughout, as well as some strong examples of declining and rarer Wet and Ancient woodlands, and Temperate (also known as Celtic or Atlantic) rainforest in the west of the county.

Our woodlands are key to addressing climate change; Trees are efficient at ameliorating air pollution and mitigating carbon by removing it from the atmosphere. Woodlands also sequester carbon, storing it in their leaves, and transfer it into the soil when the trees rot or are cut down. Trees near water bodies act as natural flood defences, and the cover reduces the amount of water that enters our watercourse.

Britain remains one of the least-wooded countries in Europe. Just 13% of our land has tree coverage, and the tiny area of surviving woodland (2% coverage), is still under threat. Although Wales fares better than England, with 15% compared to 10% total woodland cover and around 3% ancient semi-natural woodland cover, the story is still the same; woodland species continue their long-term decline. 53% of woodland species are in decline - birds, butterflies, and fungi all depend on woodlands, and there simply isn’t the habitat available for them to thrive.

What are we doing to help?

We are campaigning for Radnorshire to increase its tree cover (individual trees outside woodland and woodlands) by at least 50% by 2030, achieved through planting trees as hedgerows, as in-field trees,  in our towns and villages, new woodlands, wood pastures and in our towns and villages. All of this must be done through the principle of "right tree, right place"; planting trees in suitable areas, such as species-poor grasslands, woodland fringes, as wide and diverse hedgerows, and most importantly, where they won't disrupt habitats such as species-rich grasslands and wetlands. Woodland design and future management should be considered prior to new woodland establishment, where possible promoting and protecting existing saplings and encouraging new natural regeneration.

Radnorshire Wildlife Trust manages many reserves that contain woodland; the Withybeds is an island of wet willow woodland that sits alongside the River Lugg, Pentrosfa Mire houses similar habitat, and homes a rare lichen species discovered on willow twigs. Bailey Einon and Cwm Byddog are both fantastic examples of ancient woodland. Cwm Byddog, is managed to help the nationally rare hazel dormouse thrive, and is home to one of the two trees in Wales with the Oak Polypore fungus. Bailey Einon is currently closed due to ash dieback; a fungal disease that is affecting ash trees on a national basis. It is expected that 80% of the UK’s ash population will die due to this. Up to thirty-five mature trees at Bailey Einon are likely to drop branches and eventually fall on the footpath, so we have decided allow the trees to fall naturally over time, which will provide wildlife with an important dead wood habitat.