Our Woodland

Exmoor National Park Authority either owns, or leases, 575 hectares of woodland across the National Park.

Our primary woodland management objective is to improve the diversity, extent and condition of our most important and valued habitats through a long-term, landscape-scale approach to habitat conservation.

Each of our woodlands is subject to a management plan, and these plans set out the vision for how it can best meet our objectives. The tasks that will achieve the overall vision are described in the management plans, and are undertaken either by our own Field Services Team, or by local contractors. 

Timber from larger felling operations is often sold to local timber merchants who convert it and sell on as firewood. Timber from smaller operations such as removing a tree or branch that has become hazardous is often left in the woodland to create important deadwood habitats.

Much of what isn't sold or left is used throughout the National Park in the form of direction signs, gates and stiles. Felled timber is milled at either the historic water powered sawmill at Simonsbath or using a portable bandsaw. It is then seasoned for several years in drying sheds until it is ready for use. The distinctive and durable products are then manufactured in ENPA's workshop in Exford.

It is a unique and sustainable way of ensuring the special character of Exmoor is maintained. View the gallery below to see this process in action. 

The work that we undertake in our woodlands can vary from controlling invasive species, such as Rhododendron ponticum, gap creation and thinning to improve species or structural diversity, to carrying out tree surgery to improve deadwood habitats.

We also carry out continuous surveys to measure the success of our management techniques and to monitor the impact of climate change on Exmoor’s woodlands. This information is then used to assist us with planning future work.