February, and it is time to crack on with the final job for this winter. Alongside the main ride, this year's coppice coup is marked out. The understorey is not dense, the majority of it being tall, many-stemmed hazel trees, last coppiced some 15 years or so ago.
Ramblings from Finemere Wood
Woodland scallop at Finemere Wood. Photo by Charlotte Karmali
The Finemere Wood volunteers tackle the final winter task, and reflect on the many contributions one of the original team
The volunteers making a new coppice coup at Finemere Wood. Photo by Charlotte Karmali
Large areas of Finemere Wood have been coppiced in the past, and this practice is being re-established. Coppiced woodland provides a rich variety of habitats and is hugely beneficial to wildlife. A newly cut coup will be flooded with light and those species adapted to open woodland will flourish here; as the canopy closes over, the wildlife moves on to a more recently coppiced area.
In this coup we must be more gentle, we must think carefully before we cut, for here brown long-eared bats are roosting. And so, oak trees that have been identified as important for them must be given a wide berth.
Brown long-eared bat. Photo by Tom Marshall
Field maple is also left standing. Not common in Finemere, the rugged cracked bark of this species is superb for forming potential roost features as it matures.
The volunteers, unfazed by the immense task ahead, each pick a hazel tree and gradually saw off its limbs one by one. The result is a coppiced “stool” which will provide homes for many invertebrates and small mammals.
Two of the Finemere Wood volunteers. Photo by Charlotte Karmali
But one of our volunteers is missing. Dick, a founder member of the group, has had to step away from active duty. He is a genuine, immensely likeable man of integrity, who is greatly respected by all his fellow volunteers. It doesn’t feel right in the wood without him.
I asked the woodland workers to share with me some thoughts and memories of Dick: thoughtful, dry sense of humour, good company; friendly and welcoming; gentle, calming, and unassuming.
Dick, one of the original Finemere Wood volunteers. Photo by Charlotte Karmali
Dick is an incredibly generous person with an enormous breadth of knowledge that he's very happy to impart, his civil engineering background gave him practical skills and knowledge which were hugely helpful in Finemere.
Dick always has something interesting to share and there are many fond memories of lively debates under the canopy of towering oak trees, be it concerning politicians, the state of the planet or HS2. Never afraid to speak his mind, Dick is committed and passionate about the causes he supports.
Working alongside Dick, was enjoyed by all. For me, he is extra special. From day one, in the autumn of 2013, when the Finemere volunteer work party was established, Dick has been there.
Wise, supportive, good humoured, and reliable, he has spent many a long day raking cut grass, stoking bonfires, and hacking back scrub. He has been fundamental in creating our strong, vibrant, and cohesive workforce. So thank you, Dick, for all those hours of labour, the contribution you have made to this wood, and all who work here, is truly invaluable.
More than 1,700 volunteers help us towards our vision of more nature everywhere, on our nature reserves, at our visitor and education centres, in our offices and more.