Burnham Beeches Management Plan 2020 2030 - City of ...
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DRAFT Burnham Beeches Management Plan 2020 - 2030
DRAFT
Burnham Beeches is a unique nature reserve Burnham Beeches is a precious remnant The City of London Corporation is
and public open space owned and managed of an active wood pasture with ancient committed to managing Burnham Beeches in
by the City of London Corporation. pollarded beech trees, a habitat that was perpetuity to ensure that it remains a special
once commonplace throughout the south place for generations to come.
It is a registered charity (number 232987)
of England but is now restricted to a small
which receives the major part of its funding A team of Rangers, a Conservation Officer
number of places. Situated in an increasingly
from the City. and administration staff, based at Burnham
urbanised landscape, we are working with
Beeches, works with volunteers and
local people at all levels to try to minimise the
contractors to protect and maintain the
deterioration of the habitats and reduce the
important features of Burnham Beeches and
impacts of fragmentation.
Stoke Common for people and wildlife.
Contents
Introduction 4 2.0 The need for management 5.0 Work programme 2020-2030
Facts learnt in the last 10 years 5 2.1 Pollarded trees 20 Work programme 68
Achievements 2010-2020 6 2.2 Grazing 21
2.3 Climate change 22 Background information
1.0 Site description 2.4 Fragmentation, pollution 22 Glossary 80
and other stresses
1.1 Location 7 PSPO map 80
2.5 Visitors 23
1.2 Ownership and access rights 7 Contact details back cover
1.3 Site status 8
3.0 Vision
1.4 Financial situation 8
3.1 Five hundred year vision 24
1.5 Physical features 8
3.2 10 year vision 24
1.6 Cultural information 9
1.7 Access and visitors 11
4.0 Objectives and methodology
1.8 Current use 13
4.1 Objective 1: Biological 26
1.9 Biological features 14
4.2 Objective 2: People 48
4.3 Objective 3: 60
Estate assets and legal issues
3 DRAFT
4 DRAFT INTRODUCTION
Introduction Caring for the Beeches is much more than a The keystone of the 2010-20 management
matter of opening the gates, clearing the plan was the expansion of the conservation
Burnham Beeches was acquired in 1880 litter and mowing the grass. Each member of grazing scheme across the Beeches as
under the City of London’s Open Spaces staff at Burnham Beeches is an expert, part of the wood pasture restoration. The
particularly in wood pasture and veteran tree next 10 years are a bridge between the
Act (1878) which sets out the City’s duty to
management, conservation grazing and substantial heathland, mire and wood
protect and conserve Burnham Beeches for
heathland restoration. They influence, and
public recreation and wildlife conservation pasture restoration of previous plans and
are influenced by, countryside management
‘in perpetuity’. It is further safeguarded by the development of on-going management
practice across the country and Europe.
national and international legislation. practices to maintain these valuable
Each project is meticulously planned and
researched to ensure it provides maximum habitats in good condition. More restoration
Approximately 500,000 visits are made to the is planned, but there will be a shift towards
benefit to the nature reserve and achieves a
Beeches each year. Some people visit the more staff and volunteer time being spent
balance between our visitors and wildlife.
nature reserve several times a week whilst managing the previously restored habitats.
others might come only once in their lifetime. This new management plan aims to
Most visitors consider the Beeches to be a summarise why, when and how Burnham The key issues for the 2020-30 plan are
very special place and there is a strong sense Beeches will be managed over the next 10 focussed on connecting the most important
of it being ‘their’ bit of countryside. Many, years. It builds upon the achievements of habitats within the Beeches to help wildlife
however, are unaware of just how significant previous plans and forms another small step spread across the nature reserve as well as
the Beeches is for wildlife and of the bigger towards the 500 year vision for Burnham into the surrounding areas.
picture i.e. the need to actively manage the Beeches. The plan is also a practical working
reserve in a manner that reflects traditional document to guide the many hundreds This management plan is the result of
practice and takes an holistic view of the of tasks that will take place on the nature extensive consultation with a wide variety
surrounding landscape. reserve over the next decade. of stakeholders including government and
non-government agencies, local authorities,
conservation experts, local groups and site
visitors.
Aspects of the management plan were
presented in a public consultation exercise in
October 2019 attended by over 900 people.
All aspects of the plan received a high level
of support. Our special thanks are extended
to all those who helped to influence and
produce this document.
Things we learnt in the last 10 years
w Several species of lichen, beetles, flies and
moths new to the Beeches have been
found, demonstrating the astonishing
diversity of the nature reserve.
w The Main and Little Commons have some
unexpectedly rare and interesting plants
on them.
w Burnham Beeches was designated a
Nationally Important Fungus Area and
Important Plant Area.
w The nature reserve continues to be a
stronghold for the rare moss, Zygodon
forsteri.
w Burnham Beeches has more visitors per
hectare than other sites of the same
conservation status in the UK.
w Soils in areas with higher visitor pressure
are richer in bacteria and poorer in fungi,
indicating a decline in soil health.
w We have a better understanding of where
our visitors come from and where they
walk on the Beeches.
w DCOs/PSPOs have been highly effective
and have significantly reduced anti-social
behaviour on the reserve.
w Water catchments of the streams that
flow into the Beeches have been clearly
identified and mapped. Burnham Beeches offers a unique mixture of habitats and wildlife. Careful management is needed to meet the needs
of both recreation and conservation.
5 DRAFT INTRODUCTION
6 DRAFT INTRODUCTION
Achievements 2010-20: Achievements 2010-20: Achievements 2010-20:
Habitat restoration and protection Looking after visitors Behind the scenes
Heathland/wood pasture restoration Increasing visitor enjoyment Protecting the Beeches
Work in the previous management plan was Dog Control Orders, subsequently converted A policy to better protect the Beeches from
delivered, with 12ha of the reserve restored to Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs), the impact of development was included in
to more open habitats. This included selected were introduced. These require visitors to pick the Chiltern and South Bucks Local Plan 2036
clearance along the roadsides to restore up all dog faeces and to keep dogs on leads that has been submitted for inspection.
wood pasture, reduce future tree safety issues in certain parts of the nature reserve.
Finance
and allow better access for visitors.
Access for all Income generation increased, offsetting a
Grazing expansion Work by volunteers and contractors on the decrease in central funding from the City of
The area grazed was increased by nearly easy access path and other paths across London. Car park charges were introduced
400%, from 43ha to 165ha (75% of the whole the Beeches reduced erosion and improved at weekends and Bank Holidays.
nature reserve), providing a sustainable, access for all visitors. Promoting our conservation work
environmentally-friendly way to manage
Explaining why the Beeches is so special The paper newsletter was replaced by
the wood pasture of Burnham Beeches.
New interpretation and information boards an e-newsletter, cutting costs and saving
Invisible fences were erected in key locations. resources. Regular updates are now posted
Technological advances enabled us on Twitter and Facebook.
to graze120ha of this additional area Events and public participation
Small and large events were carried out Volunteers
without installing more fencing or cattle grids.
each year, including community picnics. The Volunteers continued to support staff in many
Looking after the old pollards number of school visits has doubled since areas, providing the equivalent of an extra
Approximately 50 trees were cut each year 2015. 3-4 staff members per year.
as well as halo clearance and smaller scale Pound restoration
Increased consultation
works; a new work programme was drawn up Work to Scheduled Monument standards was
The Burnham Beeches and Stoke Common
for the next 10 years. carried out on the historic and protected
Consultation Group played a key role in
many important aspects of site management, animal pound.
Creating a new generation of pollards
providing a way for members of the local Monitoring
Over 1,000 new pollards have now been
community and local interest groups to be Monitoring included dust, hydrology, ground
created and approximately100 existing new
involved with decisions affecting the Beeches. running invertebrates, butterflies, birds,
pollards were cut each year.
vegetation and the impact of grazing.
Green Flag & Green Heritage
Protecting rare species Annual accredition in these prestigious Research
A rare lichen was translocated from a dead national award schemes reflected the high Research was carried out into visitor use, soils,
tree to new host trees nearby. management standards of the nature reserve. tree health, and hydrology.
1.0 Site description Roads open to Habitats and Features
road ancient woodland
ancient pollards
1.1 Location
To
Beaconsfield
road closed to all vehicles
(M40)
blue badge access young woodland
available on request dry heath
Be
ac
easy access gate & cycle grid wet heath/mire
on
1.1.1 Map and major features
sfi
eld
open grassland
Eg
Ro
yp
ad
tL
Paths only for stream
an
e
Barn
Close track swallow hole
main footpath Scheduled Ancient
Monument
ond minor path
mm Facilities
e Ha End
riv
sD easy access path
ke
car park (pay & display
Du
The Moat Cages weekends and public holidays)
McAuli
ffe Driv e Wood fence
rive
Drive
arts D
boardwalk blue badge parking
Egypt
Stew
rive Woods gate Beeches Café
nD
rto
B e eches
Mo ive toilets
e
Crabtree Dr
Driv
s
Heath ke
Du
Dimsdale
information point
ods Drive T he
Wo Avenue
Drive
Ha pr iv
Mye at e road
rs D
rive
shelter
lse
Fleet Wood
Dr
ive
Ingle Glen
1.1.2 Location
The Nile
am
W
alk Burnham Beeches is situated in South
nh
Buckinghamshire in the parish of Burnham,
ne
r
Bu
La
Tower
New Coppice
rk
Wood
Pa
Victory Lord Mayors Drive
Beeches Road
Keepers
adjoining the village of Farnham Common.
Driv
e
Cross Cottage
It covers 220 hectares.
Green Lane
Bedford Drive
ia
tor Main Common
Vic (East Burnham Common)
e
lop
A355
S
h ns (overflow car park)
so
els
1.2 Ownership and access rights
Lane
nd
Me
Green
Kingsway
Upper
Pu
Withy Spring
Pond
mp
The bus bus
Sir
Burnham Beeches NNR is owned by the City
kin
Mire
He
ri ve
Hi
nry
Sevenways D To Slough
ll
s
or
of London which acquired it in several parts
Blackpond Lane
(M4)
Pe
Plain ay The
ek
M
rd
sD
Lo
Heath
from 1880 onwards. The site was purchased
riv
e
Druids Middle
under the Corporation of London (Open
Keepers
Cottage Oak Pond
tlands
Sco
Keepers
Cottages Drive Spaces) Act 1878, therefore the public have
open access to all areas subject to the
ad
Burnham
Ro
Juniper
Beeches
ve
Common ane
Crown Lane
ro
rn L
Office
byelaws. Under the Countryside Rights of Way
G
tho
Haw
(Crow) Act 2000 it is considered to be section
Crowpiece Lane
15 land.
Th
1/ 2 mile
om
Swilly The Pound
pk
Pond
ins
(Scheduled Ancient Monument)
La
ne
7 DRAFT 1 SITE DESCRIPTION
8 DRAFT 1 SITE DESCRIPTION
1.3 Site status 1.4 Financial situation the whole area and deposited stones and
sand ranging from fine silt particles to large
Burnham Beeches was registered as Common The City of London Corporation provides pebbles. The result is patches of almost pure
sand, pure clay and gravels of different sizes
111 in 1967 under the Commons Registration funding for the management of Burnham
all occurring close together. Fine dust blown
Act; there are no Commoners today. It has Beeches largely from its private funds. For
off the glaciers collected in hollows, including
been a Site of Special Scientific Interest1 since the last 10 years there have been increasing
those created by melting ice blocks, and in
1951 and a National Nature Reserve2 since 1993. pressures to make revenue savings and these time this became areas of loess soils.
In 2005 the Beeches was designated as a are likely to continue. The City’s revenue
Special Area of Conservation3, for its beech can now meet only part of the running costs The whole region was then cut through by the
forests on acid soils. The SAC citation acknow- for Burnham Beeches; the nature reserve river Thames, the course of which has moved
ledges the mosses, lichens, insects and other is increasingly reliant on grants, car park south several times from originally being north
invertebrates that depend on the ancient payments and other sources of income. of Burnham Beeches to its current position
trees. The SSSI citation also mentions the heath- to the south. Each move south resulted in a
land and valley mire systems considered The success of much of this management river terrace and these clear ‘steps’ in the
integral to the character of the Beeches. plan depends on the ability to identify and landscape can be seen today. Under the
secure significant external funding to match surface deposits are the old Reading beds,
The boundary of the SSSI and SAC site is not any savings required by the City of London. derived from estuarine sands and gravels and
the same as the City of London boundary. Agri-environment grants help pay for habitat under this is chalk, which comes close to the
Swilly Pond is omitted but a considerable conservation work but the long term future of surface along Burnham Walk/Victoria Drive.
area belonging to the Portman-Burtley Estate these grants is uncertain.
The topography of the Beeches includes two
and the National Trust is included.
New sources of revenue will need to be shallow valleys. One contains the major stream,
1
A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is an area explored in coming years: the passing of a mire and pond system; the other is steeper-sided
of land designated and protected for its habitats new Open Spaces Act (2018) together with and drier with swallow holes along its length.
or species. These are the basic building blocks of increased use of technology may open up The soils are generally thin, free draining and
nature conservation in the UK with other legal nature some new avenues. acidic (pH2.8-7.0). In places the organic
conservation designations based upon them.
layers are thicker, such as in the less disturbed
2
National Nature Reserves (NNR) were established 1.5 Physical features woodland. In various places iron pans have
to protect some of the most important habitats and developed, impeding drainage and allowing
species in the UK and to provide outdoor laboratories the build up of peaty soils.
The Beeches is geologically very complex.
for research.
It is located on the Winter Hill gravel terrace The small quarry near Victory Cross is
3
A Special Area of Conservation (SAC) is a protected and the surface layers are mostly material designated as a Regionally Important
area designated under the Conservation of Habitats carried by melt water from the glaciers of the Geological site and the strata and
and Species Regulations (2017). It has the highest Devensian ice age. These rivers, made up of crossbedding of the sediments can be seen
degree of protection of any nature reserve in the UK. many small shallow channels, flowed across in the quarry face.
1.6 Cultural information Hartley Court moated site and enclosure The Chilterns Hillforts Project hosted by the
is the remnant of a medieval moated Chilterns Conservation Board organised
farmstead. It was probably built between a community excavation of a bank and
1.6.1 Landscape 1250 and 1350 and the ditches and banks are ditch running into Seven Ways Plain that a
Burnham Beeches lies within the landscape easy to see, with the moat holding water at previous archaeological walk-over survey
character area of the Thames Valley, within least in the winter months. had indicated might also date back to the
the Thames Basin. In a more local context, it Bronze/Iron Age. This was clearly once a
was part of the very characteristic landscape Seven Ways Plain univallate (having a substantial feature, over 6.5 m wide and with
of South Bucks, which can be referred to as single bank and ditch) hillfort is a series a height of 1.8m from ditch bottom to bank
‘ancient countryside’ - an interweaving mix of earthworks dating between the Late top. Nothing conclusive was found to help
of commons and small woodlands with small Bronze Age and Early Iron Age (eighth to work out how old the feature is: it may be
irregular fields. Many of the commons and fifth centuries B.C.). It may have been a an Iron Age linear earthwork but it may also
fields of South Bucks were rough heathland permanent or temporary settlement but in be part of the boundary of a medieval deer
and there were many pools and ponds. the more recent past has been damaged by park.
Unusual for the area is the presence of the quarrying and war time activities.
pollarded trees within Burnham Beeches. The Hillforts Project also carried out a LiDAR
(light detecting and ranging) flight over South
1.6.2 Archaeology Bucks and it is hoped that the information
gained will help with our understanding of the
Burnham Beeches is considered to be ancient
wood pasture containing some areas of history and context of Burnham Beeches.
ancient woodland, clearly bounded by wood
banks dating from the 17th century. Most of the
many pits and hollows in the woodland/wood
pasture result from quarrying in the past.
There are three Scheduled Monuments:
East Burnham animal pound is separated from
the Beeches and located on Crown Lane.
It is a small rectangular red brick enclosure
constructed between 1788 and 1796 for the
purpose of impounding unmarked cattle,
sheep and swine found illegally grazing ‘the
commons and waste grounds in the manor’
(of East Burnham). The City of London has
repaired the pound several times in the last Artist’s impression of the pound in Victorian times. Community archaeological ‘dig’ on the bank
few years. and ditch running into Seven Ways Plain.
9 DRAFT 1 SITE DESCRIPTION
10 DRAFT 1 SITE DESCRIPTION
1.6.3 Land use history By the time the City of London acquired
Burnham Beeches in 1880 the need for the
Until the 19th century the Beeches was of
grazing and wood produced from Burnham
great importance locally as a source of wood
Beeches had declined and the land use was
and as grazing for livestock. Rough pasture
changing. Recreation became much more
with a high heathland component probably
important with visitors travelling from London
extended across almost the whole of
to see the famous trees. As the grazing
Burnham Beeches. In the north this was wood
declined, scrub and trees grew up, and the
pasture with abundant pollarded beech
open aspect and easy access was slowly lost.
and oak trees on it, to the south it was more
During the Second World War the site was
open with only scattered bushes of prickly
cordoned off and most was used as Vehicle
shrubs such as juniper and holly. Across the
Reserve Depot No. 2. Prior to the D-Day
whole area the number and density of trees
landings an estimated 10,000 vehicles were
probably varied greatly. In the 17th century
stored within the Beeches and a camp for
two parcels of land were removed from the
the men was built on Seven Ways Plain.
wood pasture and the trees within them
coppiced. The whole area was grazed with Following the War the Beeches again
livestock until the 1930s. become an important area for recreation.
It is now also managed for its high nature
conservation value.
Local people gathered fuel from the Beeches and grazed An early visit by members of the Open Spaces Committee. Photograph of Druids Oak, taken c. 1860.
their livestock under the pollard trees.1.7 Access and visitors 1.7.2 Access provision
Most people come to Burnham Beeches on
1.7.1 Visitor appeal foot or by car. It is a short distance from a bus
stop in Farnham Common village on a route
The Beeches is hugely popular, with visitors between Slough and High Wycombe. The
using it for informal recreation such as walking, nearest railway stations are at Burnham and
dog walking and picnicking, and for children Beaconsfield.
to play and explore. The most recent visitor
survey (2015-16) estimated there were over Under the Open Spaces Act visitors can
551,000 visits per year; over 83% of visits were access the Beeches on foot at all times. The
by adults and over 50% arrived by car and main car park is at the eastern end of Lord
parked in the car parks on Lord Mayor’s Drive. Mayor’s Drive, accessible from Farnham
A 2017 study showed that 75% of visitors live Common. This, and other car parks, are shut
within 5.3km of the Beeches (although visitors at night to reduce antisocial behaviour.
from much further afield were not infrequent). Access within the Beeches is restricted
for most vehicles but the car-free zone is
During the consultation for the management Easy-access paths make it easier for the less mobile
accessible to those with restricted mobility.
plan, 32% of people said the main purpose to enjoy the nature reserve.
A ‘Tramper’ (off-road buggy) is available for
of their visit was to walk a dog. The 2015-6 free loan from the office.
visitor survey estimated that there were over
142,000 dog visits that year. A network of surfaced paths allows easy
walking and use of push chairs and
Other popular activities are cycling, horse wheelchairs in the area around Lord Mayor’s
riding & driving, running and bird watching, Drive and to the ponds and café. There are
all of which are governed by the reserve no public footpaths across the Beeches but
byelaws. Cycling and horse-riding are it is crossed by two long distance paths - the
permitted on the tarmac roads through the Beeches Way and the Shakespeare Way.
reserve, most of which are closed to cars.
More formal use of the Beeches is made
by school groups and by recreation groups “Paths are well kept and managed.”
organising activities such as orienteering and
cross-country running. The wooded landscape “Lovely place for dog walks.”
is popular with film makers; this raises income 2019 consultation response
for the nature reserve but a strict code
Burnham Beeches provides a tranquil safe space for
regulates what the film companies can do. countryside recreation.
11 DRAFT 1 SITE DESCRIPTION12 DRAFT 1 SITE DESCRIPTION
1.7.3 Visitor facilities and Bins for dog faeces are located at major 1.7.4 Education and research
information provision entrances and areas of high use. Public
School and college groups regularly visit the
Spaces Protection Orders (map, p.80)
The café, information point and toilets are Beeches to learn about management and
are in place to ensure that a balance is
located in two attractive buildings near to conservation.
maintained between the desires of dog
the main parking area and Victory Cross;
walkers and those for whom dogs are not Student and other research projects are
these are open every day. Interpretation
so popular. This requires that all dog faeces encouraged and the staff and volunteers
boards at key points around the Beeches
are picked up and that no more than four also carry out long term monitoring for the
provide information about events, current
dogs are walked per person. In addition, benefit of the site and to contribute to
issues and news. A sensory trail featuring
the nature reserve is split into two parts: regional and national programmes.
tactile sculptures inspired by the Beeches is
dogs must be kept on a lead in one part,
installed around the easy access paths.
and may be off-lead (provided they are Examples of these are butterfly transects,
under effective control and put on leads moth trapping, vegetation and lichen
if requested by a ranger) in the other part. recording and dust monitoring. Burnham
These regulations are enforced by the Beeches is a part of the Environmental
Ranger team and Fixed Penalty Notices are Change Biodiversity Surveillance Network,
issued for non-compliance. contributing to a national picture of
ecosystem health and the changes
An e-newsletter provides visitors and others happening to protected sites across Britain.
on the mailing list with regular information
about current news and issues. Literature
available to visitors from the information
point and website includes self-guided trails
and a range of fact sheets covering issues
such as deadwood management, fungi and
cycling at Burnham Beeches.
Rangers run an average of two events each
month to help visitors learn more about
Burnham Beeches. These include gentle
nature rambles, more adventurous walks,
‘meet the Ranger’ sessions and family fun
activities. Events are promoted locally,
via the website and in a booklet that also
includes important background information
The Burnham Beeches eco-café is managed by a
licensee and aims to have a low environmental footprint. about the nature reserve. Volunteers carrying out invertebrate sampling.1.7.5 Other estate features 1.8 Current use
Infrastructure on Burnham Beeches includes
fences to contain the grazing animals and Under the Open Spaces Act the requirement
several shelters for visitors that date back to is for Burnham Beeches to be managed for
the early 20th century, some of which have informal recreation activities and for what we
been updated more recently. now term conservation. Given the popularity
of the site and the number of visitors, care
A range of gates and cattle grids are installed must be taken to ensure that recreation
on internal roads, entrances and main paths, activities remain low key and do not result
largely to manage visitor access. Bollards in damage to the nature reserve, and that
in the car-free zone restrict vehicle access there is minimal conflict between recreation
to easily accessible areas and there are a and conservation.
range of posts, banks, ditches and barriers
to protect the nature reserve from vehicle Obligations of the status of Burnham Beeches
damage. as a SSSI, NNR and SAC, as well as other
legal obligations such as the NERC (Natural
Environment and Rural Communities) Act
require positive management for nature
conservation; this is supported by grant
funding through Countryside Stewardship.
In the past the Beeches was an essential
part of the local economy by providing fuel
and grazing for livestock. Today, the local
economy is boosted as the Beeches attracts
visitors and employs staff.
A water pipe crosses the southern part of the
Beeches and supplies the café area. Services
such as electrical and telephone cables also
run underground in several places and have “Great facilities, café, toilets and
been mapped. fantastic open spaces and woodlands.”
2019 consultation response
Buildings consist of the information point, café
and toilet block on the Main Common, the
office and associated barns, and seven staff
lodges.
13 DRAFT 1 SITE DESCRIPTION14 DRAFT 1 SITE DESCRIPTION
1.9 Biological features Oak woodland
Although beech is the most abundant
1.9.1 Communities and flora woodland type there are also areas of oak.
A National Vegetation classification of the To the north this is mostly sessile oak (Quercus
plant communities of Burnham Beeches was petraea) with an understory of bracken and
carried out in 1997. The consequences of holly; many of the oaks show signs of having
the management over the last 20 years and been coppiced in the past.
the nature of the site is that many of these
plant communities are now intermixed and Along Burnham Walk where the soil is more
it is difficult to draw boundaries between neutral, oak is found with hazel underneath.
them. Future management will undoubtedly There are more spring flowers such as bluebell
increase this trend. The most important and and wood sorrel in this area.
extensive communities are described below.
“I love the autumn leaves. Great place
Beech woodland for walking and being at one with
Within the northern part of Burnham Beeches nature.”
are areas dominated by ancient semi-natural 2019 consultation response
beech woodland on acid soils with holly
and sometimes bramble as a shrub layer.
Under the trees there is little vegetation
Wood pasture
except for wavy hair-grass and mosses but
in clearings heathy plants like heather can Land containing trees that is grazed with domestic animals or deer is referred to as wood
be found. Mini-successions can be seen pasture. The density of trees can be very variable, ranging from dense woodland to open
where trees have fallen over, with birch trees grassland with scattered trees.
an intermediate stage between the open Grazing livestock are the key component in maintaining a varied structure over both large
ground and beech woodland. areas and at the small microhabitat scale. Many studies have shown that low density of
grazing is beneficial to the majority of animals and plants that occur in woodland.
Burnham Beeches is designated a SAC
because of its beech woodland habitat, but In the past much of Burnham Beeches was managed as wood pasture with the land under
the pollarded trees are the key reason for the its trees probably mostly being heathland. Within the wood pasture there were areas
designation. where the trees were regularly pollarded.
Today, we value this habitat for its wildlife and recreational value and are working to
restore it across much of the Beeches.Pollarded trees Wet heath and mire
Pollarding
The ancient trees at Burnham Beeches Where the water level is higher, mostly closer
developed in a wood pasture system which Pollarding is a management system where to the stream, the dry heath communities
combined the grazing of livestock with the trees are repeatedly cut for a product; blend into wet heath and, in the wettest
pollarding. They support an enormous range it can be carried out on almost any broad- areas, into mire.
of plant, animal and fungi species. Although leaved tree species. The branches are
pruned back to a point roughly 2.5m In the intermediate zones cross-leaved heath
most of the pollards in the nature reserve are
above ground level; this allows new (Erica tetralix), rushes (Juncus species) and
beech there are some oak too.
branches to grow out of reach of any sedges (Carex species) are common. In
grazing livestock that was pastured on the
In the Beeches the pollards were cut in the wettest areas the bog moss Sphagnum
ground around the trees.
the winter for wood, probably fuel for forms carpets which are interspersed with
local use. Cutting took place every 15-25 small pools and drier patches of cross-
years in a rough rotation and this repeated leaved heath or purple moor grass (Molinia
Heathland
management allowed the trees to get much caerulea).
older than trees that have not been cut. Much of the land around the pollards, as
well as a major part of the Beeches south of Low levels of grazing help the mire by
As of 2018 there were 299 old beech pollards Lord Mayor’s Drive was historically heathland. creating variations in structure and
and 78 old oak pollards alive (377 in total). Restoration by tree felling over the last 30 preventing it from drying out through the
years has given a flavour of the communities strong growth of purple moor-grass.
of the past.
The heather (Callluna) dominated community
includes bushes such as dwarf gorse (Ulex
minor), broom (Cytisus scoparius) and juniper
(Juniperus communis); grasses and herbs like
common bent (Agrostis capillaris), heath-
grass (Danthonia decumbens), heath bed-
straw (Galium saxatile) and pill sedge (Carex
pilulifera) are found between the bushes.
Grazing by domestic livestock is essential to
keep heathland in good condition and stop it
reverting to woodland again. In the future we
envisage that much of the ground vegetation
in the wood pasture will be heathland, so
the two habitat types will in effect become
inseparable.
15 DRAFT 1 SITE DESCRIPTION16 DRAFT 1 SITE DESCRIPTION
Open water Grassland
There are three ponds within the Beeches. The typical grassland of the Beeches is semi- A varied plant structure benefits wildlife
Two hold water all year round and have a natural acid grassland and small areas of this The management plan frequently
typical pond flora including white and yellow can be found, for example close to the Stag refers to the use of grazing to create
waterlilies (Nymphaea alba and Nuphar Car Park. and maintain a varied vegetative
lutea), bogbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) structure. This means a mixture of
and bulrush (Typha latifolia). The third, Swilly The Main Common and grass verges were
plants of differing heights, density and
Pond, is seasonal and predominantly dry; it is probably seeded in the past and then
species, providing a mixture of fine and
characterised by grasses, including floating mown. Grazing has recently been restored
coarse leaves. It will vary throughout
sweet-grass (Glyceria fluitans). Several small to the Little Common and parts of the Main
Common which should help increase its the seasons and is also dependent on
streams flow through the woodland and the
conservation value over time. Rare plants the grazing pressure.
moat holds water in late winter but has very
few plants in it. seen in this area in the last few years include
Structural variation on a small scale
hoary cinquefoil (Potentilla argentea), sand
allows a wide range of plant species to
spurry (Spergularia rubra), sea mouse-ear
grow, including both those that require
(Cerastium defusum) and lesser cudweed
open, exposed conditions with lots of
(Filago minima).
sunlight and those that prefer some
shade and higher moisture levels.
This variation helps animals too.
Invertebrates have many different
needs, such as open areas to bask
in or tall plants on which to build
webs. Many species need more
than one type of microhabitat in the
course of their life, such as different
places to feed and lay eggs in. Even
vertebrates such as birds and reptiles
need variation in order to thrive. A
habitat with no structural variation,
like a cereal field, may be good for a
small number of species but it will not
support the variety of a naturally varied
Cattle grazing on LIttle Common, alongside the main
habitat.
Hartley Court Moat. entrance to Burnham Beeches.1.9.2 Rare species and wildlife under threat Saproxylic invertebrates Saproxylic fungi
A saproxylic species is one that depends The main agents causing wood decay are
Plants and animals can be given many on dead or decaying wood in order to live. fungi, some of which are rare and threatened.
different designations to identify their Some feed on the wood, others use it as a Burnham Beeches is the joint second most
importance locally, nationally and retreat or hunting surface. important site in Britain, and eleventh in
internationally. The Beeches hosts a very large Europe, for beech wood continuity fungi. It is
number of important species. For example, Old pollards are home to a wide range now considered an ‘Important fungus area’
over 60 RDB (Red Data Book) species have of saproxylic species because they have i.e. the ‘site holds significant populations of
been recorded: these are species that abundant dead and decaying wood in rare fungal species which are of European
fulfil international criteria for being rare, a variety of different moisture and light or UK conservation concern’.
threatened or vulnerable in the UK and is an conditions. Saproxylic species found on
exceptional number for a nature reserve of beech are different to those living on oak Notable species include the ‘tiered tooth’
relatively small size like Burnham Beeches. because of the differences in wood texture (Hericium cirrhatum), the fruiting bodies of
There are also numerous species that are and the way that the fungi decay the wood: which have been found on branches cut
considered rare or special locally. oak tends to have a higher proportion of from old pollards as part of the restoration
beetle species and beech tends to have work, and Fomitopsis pinicola, found on
more flies, but many different invertebrate decaying beech and birch. Brackets of the
groups may be represented. endangered oak polypore (Buglossoporus
quercinus) have been found on a couple of
The best surveyed invertebrate groups in old oak pollards. Fungi feeding on decaying
Anaglyptus mysticus:
the larvae of this uncommon Burnham Beeches are beetles and flies. A wood and leaves on the ground include the
beetle feed for two years good number of the scarcer British saproxylic saffron-drop bonnet (Mycena crocata), a
in deadwood; the adults species are found, almost all associated with
need flowers to feed on, typical beech woodland species.
and favour hawthorn. the pollards or decaying wood.
Characteristic species include the beetles
Quedius microps, Quedius situs and Stenicmus
godarti. The latter has also been found at
Windsor and Epping Forest but is missing
from other potentially suitable sites. The fly
Rainiera calceata, which has a larva that
lives in decaying wood, is only known from
seven places in the UK. The list of fungus gnats
contains more than 250 species, comparable
to the New Forest which is 80 times larger
than Burnham Beeches. Fomitopsis pinicola - red banded polypore.
17 DRAFT 1 SITE DESCRIPTION18 DRAFT 1 SITE DESCRIPTION
Tooth fungi (stipitate hydnoids) Epiphytic lichens Tree hole-using birds and bats
As well as wood decay species, another very Although long known to support the rare The large numbers of holes
important group of fungi are those that are beech-specialist Pyrenula nitida (classified and hollows in the old trees
mycorrhizal on plants: these fungi help the as vulnerable), which had survived on two create perfect homes for
plants take up nutrients and minerals. Many ancient beech trees, the known lichen tree-nesting birds and bats.
are common and abundant but the stipitate interest of the site was until recently relatively
hynoid group are all rare. Five of the possible All three British wood-
limited. Recent visits by specialists added
six species of these have been found in peckers are found on the
Bacidia incompta (classified as vulnerable)
Burnham Beeches in recent years, the other nature reserve as well as many
to the site list and also found significant
has not been seen since 1958. other typical hole-nesting
lichen interest on veteran beech pollards
species. Six bat species have
concentrated on Mendelssohn’s Slope.
Mosses been recorded, some just feeding
Their finds included Pyrenula nitidella and
but others roosting. All bat species and their
Burnham Beeches is one of few British three species classified as vulnerable
roosts are protected by law so it is important
sites that supports Forster’s knot hole moss (Bacidia circumspecta, B. incompta and
to ensure that careful survey work is carried
(Zygodon forsteri). This endangered species P. nitida) which are all qualifying features
out before any tree work.
lives on beech tree roots where they rise for SSSI status. Further survey is likely to find
above the ground and develop a pool of more species of interest. Collectively, this
water, as well as in rain tracks on the trunks. mixture of species indicates a significant relic Invertebrates reliant on grazing
In addition, several species of the bog moss oceanic beech lichen assemblage at the The reintroduction of livestock grazing has
Sphagnum are found in the mire areas. nature reserve. enabled some specialist invertebrates to
thrive. Several species of fly require grazing
animals for their existence, needing dung
or the type of habitat structure that grazers
create. One example is the endangered
Polietes steinii that is associated with
traditional grazing on unimproved pastures
and needs horse dung for the larvae to
develop in.
Many of the specialist saproxylic beetles
and flies also require flowers for pollen or
nectar as adults and the open habitat
created by grazing allows such flowers and
flowering scrub to thrive better than in dense
Zygodon forsteri is only found in two other places Pyrenula nitidella was thought to be extinct in Britain
in Britain. until recently. woodland.Bog plant communities Reptiles and amphibians
Restoration work on the heath and mire has Burnham Beeches has good populations of Biodiversity in crisis
resulted in several plant species re-appearing adders, grass snakes, common lizards and
The UK is one of the most nature-
that had not been seen in the Beeches slow worm. These thrive in the more open
depleted countries in the world.
for many years. These have not been habitats of the southern area. They require
Biodiversity has plummeted due to
re-introduced - they have come from viable good hibernation sites and rough overgrown
the destruction of wildlife and wildlife
seeds in the soil that were only able to grow low vegetation interspersed with warm
habitats by agriculture, roads, housing,
when the conditions changed and became sheltered spots for basking. Interconnected
pollution and climate change. It is more
suitable for them. microhabitats are especially important for
important than ever that we look after
reptiles. It is uncommon for this many of the
Examples include bog pimpernel (Anagalis nature reserves like Burnham Beeches.
UK species of reptile and amphibian to be
tenellum) and oblong leaved sundew found in a single site
(Drosera intermedia). In addition, the w In 1966 there were 40 million more
combination of damp soils and disturbance Toads, frogs and three species of newt birds in the UK than there are today.
from grazing enables some typical south (palmate, smooth and occasional great
w Numbers of the most endangered
Buckinghamshire species to thrive. Carpets crested newts) live in the ponds.
species in the UK have halved
of the bog moss Sphagnum in the mire areas
since the 1970s.
have many tiny animals and plants living
alongside the moss. More obvious examples w One in 10 species in the UK is now
of specialist heathland plants are the junipers, threatened with extinction.
currently growing and regenerating well.
w Moths have declined by 88% and
butterflies by 76% since 1970.
w Approximately one plant species is
lost per county per year and the rate
of loss is accelerating.
w Despite government policies and
actions, 150 out of 250 ‘priority
species’ for nature conservation are
still declining in number.
State of Nature reports (2013 and 2016);
Our Vanishing Flora (2012).
Bog pimpernel has a strong honey-like fragrant smell
and grows on bare wet soil. Reptile and amphibian numbers are declining in the UK.
19 DRAFT 1 SITE DESCRIPTION20 DRAFT 2 THE NEED FOR MANAGEMENT
2.0 The need for management Once the process of pollarding has started
it must be continued. Trees uncut for
In 2018 there were 377 living veteran pollards.
The rate of tree loss has slowed from 1.99%
many years develop very large and heavy to 1.39% per year over the last 30 years but
2.1 The importance of managing the branches and this has happened in Burnham we believe it should, ideally, be below 1.3%
pollarded trees Beeches. The last time the pollards were for the population to be sustainable. Despite
cut for their wood was over 200 years ago; all our careful work, trees continue to be lost
Areas with ancient beech pollards are rare. futhermore, after grazing stopped in the 1930s because some are simply unable to maintain
In Britain there are just two sites with over 100 many new young trees grew up around the sufficient growth to survive.
such trees and those in Burnham Beeches are old ones. This caused the pollard branches to
reach up high for light, in addition to growing Our aim is to keep these old pollards alive as
particularly fine examples. Worldwide, only
larger in girth. long as possible to protect the associated
Romania and the Basque Country have more
plant, animal and fungal communities while
than just a small handful of beech pollards
By the 1980s many of the old pollards were we develop new pollards to be the veterans
and their climates mean that many of the
becoming very unstable and falling over or of future that can provide a suitable habitat.
species associated their pollards are different
falling apart. In addition, there was no new
to those found here.
generation of pollards.
Pollarded beech trees can live for over
In the seventeenth century there were
400 years rather than the more normal 250
an estimated 3,000 pollards in Burnham
or so for this species. Their age and shape
Beeches. By 1990 this had declined to 550
due to cutting creates a unique habitat for
and by 1999 more than eight trees were
many plants, animals and fungi that are
dying each year. Staff at Burnham Beeches
not found on younger trees. Rainwater and A ‘lapsed’ pollard.
began a programme of restoration work and
fungi slowly break down the dead wood, The branches are
developed techniques that are now used now tall and heavy.
creating ideal conditions
internationally. Younger trees grow
for invertebrates; around it because
changes in the Restoring pollards is a new science: grazing has stopped.
bark support techniques have been refined over the last
species of moss 30 years but the learning process continues.
and lichen More trees are now cut from a MEWP
not found on (Mobile Elevated Work Platform) although
younger trees. some still require climbers when they are The weight of these
tall heavy branches
difficult to access. Working on the ancient makes the old tree
trees is slow specialist work requiring skills that vulnerable to wind
are very different to cutting trees in most damage. This is what
A tree pollarded our work tries to
regularly in a grazed system. other situations; it is costly, but essential. prevent.2.2 Importance of grazing Grazing also reduces habitat fragmentation. Species such as juniper grow and regenerate
The reintroduction and subsequent expansion better in these environments, as can already
Grazing was a fundamental force shaping across the nature reserve has connected and been seen. The dappled shady environment
the Beeches for centuries but over a 60 year expanded isolated clearings, reaping benefits with heathy clearings is favoured by a wide
period without grazing it became increasingly for the biodiversity of Burnham Beeches. range of invertebrates and there is a whole
wooded and less biodiverse, with the new habitat for the specialist plants and
Plants are now growing that have not been animals that rely on herbivore dung.
remaining open areas isolated within dense
found here for over 80 years. The seeds
woodland.
were left in the soil and still viable, but they Grazing is a sustainable, cost-effective, low
Grazing was reintroduced in 1992 and is needed the open light conditions and varied pollution way to restore the wood pasture.
critical for ensuring the long term, sustainable ground surface produced by the livestock. As well as supporting nature conservation,
management of the nature reserve. The After clearance, the subsequent pulse of grazing also delivers clear benefits to
range of habitats and species that make ‘weedy’ woodland trees like birch are kept visitors. In addition to being an attraction in
Burnham Beeches unique result from its in check so a diverse mosaic of plant species themselves, the livestock have opened up
historic management as a working wood and structures can be created benefitting the landscape, created better views and
pasture. many invertebrates. Tree regeneration is not improved access.
completely stopped; shrubs, brambles and
Grazing livestock help maintain a more varied dead wood protect some seedlings that are
vegetative structure (p.16) than mowing able to grow into oak and beech trees.
over both large areas and at the small
microhabitat scale.
21 DRAFT 2 THE NEED FOR MANAGEMENT22 DRAFT 2 THE NEED FOR MANAGEMENT
2.3 Climate change 2.4 Fragmentation, pollution We are also working to reduce fragmentation
and other threats within the the Beeches itself. We have closed
Climate change is causing higher the internal roads to traffic and are restoring
temperatures and more extreme weather the wood pasture. Grazing is helping the
Development in the south east is adversely
events. Projections suggest that beech and different habitats to blend into one another,
affecting the Beeches and other local natural
oak trees may decline in health whilst others making it possible for wildlife to move more
areas. Once a rural landscape, it is now largely
such as rowan and whitebeam may fare easily within the nature reserve and into
urban. Increased housing density puts pressure
better. This might result in a more scrubby neighbouring areas.
on water availability and there is more air, light,
and open woodland with lower tree noise and water pollution. More and larger cars Immediate threats to the Beeches
canopies. Heathland communities are add pollution from exhausts and tyres and
predicted to change to a more grass- erode the road verges. Trees are long-lived and apparently robust
dominated community. organisms, but those at Burnham Beeches are
The impact on the Beeches of visitors and the facing multiple stresses that are only likely to
Managing Burnham Beeches in the face of effects of pollution, changes in ground water become worse in future years. The old trees are
these uncertainties presents a challenge. and climate change is already apparent. remarkably fragile and vulnerable to problems
Actions to boost the resilience of the Trees and other key plants at Burnham like compaction and nutrient enrichment.
nature reserve include increasing structural Beeches are under increasing stress, with the
Grey squirrels strip the bark from the trees,
diversity (through grazing), creating older trees being particularly vulnerable.
reducing the leaf area available for food
pollards from a wider range of tree species, production as well as weakening the stem of
Fragmentation
monitoring changes in tree health and younger trees causing them to fall.
vegetation, working to reduce local habitat Fragmentation is a major threat to wildlife
throughout the UK. Housing, roads and High nitrogen levels from pollution adversely
fragmentation and carrying out research
agriculture have reduced the land available impact the mycorrhizal fungi that aid
projects to provide more information.
for wildlife and broken up the remaining tree growth and help protect them from
areas. The populations of plants and animals diseases. The likelihood of damage by
Trees and other natural vegetation provide
trapped on these ‘islands’ are too small to pests and diseases such as Phytophthora is
‘ecosystem services’. They produce oxygen
be resilient to the stresses of climate change, increasing. Climate change is projected to
and absorb pollution and carbon dioxide.
pollution and of general erosion caused by make the area warmer and to increase the
Slow growing, longer lived trees store more incidence of droughts, which are particularly
carbon than younger trees. Open semi-natural the high numbers of people living nearby.
Locally, our aim is to link the remaining small detrimental to beech trees.
habitats are also valuable: heathland and
areas, especially biodiverse ‘hot spots’ such Increases in the local population and higher
acid grassland soils store, on average, more
as Burnham Beeches and other local SSSIs, to car use has led to more visitors to the Beeches.
carbon (87-88 tons of carbon/ha) than maintain viable populations of a broad range
deciduous woodland (70t Cha-1), although Projects undertaken together with South
of native species. It is vital that the City of Bucks District Council and Natural England as
there is less in the vegetation. London works with neighbouring landowners to part of the process of developing the SBDC
try to reverse fragmentation and also to provide Local Plan have helped inform managers
additional recreation areas where possible. about the impact of recreation pressure.This has shown, for example, that the soils in 2.5 Visitor enjoyment and enhancing introducing disease. All dog urine is adding
areas with high visitor numbers have different appreciation of the nature reserve unwanted nutrients to the soil, in effect
fungi to bacteria ratios than those with lower adding fertilizer and favouring plant species
numbers and that some of the trees in these that quickly dominate communities, such as
It is vital that all visitors feel welcome, valued,
areas have declined in health in the last 30 the heathland, that need low nutrient levels.
years. safe and enjoy their visit to Burnham Beeches.
It is also important to encourage visitors to
These effects may be minimised by ensuring
The increased footfall causes soil erosion and help look after the Beeches, either by actively
that dog walkers are aware of the issues and
compaction, negatively impacting the roots volunteering or by making sure they don’t
of the trees by making them less able to take act responsibly. PSPOs are helping too: the
damage the nature reserve.
up water and more unstable. As a result, amount of dog faeces found in the dogs-on-
beech trees, (even relatively young ones) The current level of visits has potential to lead area has reduced by 97%, (equivalent
in the Beeches are declining in condition. cause immense damage if not carefully to several tons less each year).
Acknowledgement that additional houses in managed and one challenge is to help
close proximity of the nature reserve will lead Burnham Beeches is valued for providing a
people understand the cumulative damage
to additional visitors has been accepted and green and tranquil oasis in the midst of busy
caused by the impact of many small actions,
this requires mitigation in the local plan. lives and in contributing to health and well-
such as taking short cuts.
being of local people. Climate change will
Many of these factors are beyond our control make shady places like the Beeches ever
so it is important that we act to reduce those Dog walking is a popular activity and most
dog owners now ensure their pets are well- more important for rest and respite.
stresses that we can influence e.g. measures to
relieve trampling pressure, squirrel control, bio- behaved and kept under effective control.
Increasing numbers of people are likely to
security measures and raising visitor awareness Analysis from the 2015 -16 visitor surveys
be living within easy reach of the nature
of the cumulative effect of their actions. showed that of the 551,000 visits made to
reserve in forthcoming years. The challenge
the Beeches that year, 34% of visits have one
will be to accommodate their need for green
or more dog although less than 10% of the
space and love of Burnham Beeches without
visitors bring a dog with them. This activity has
destroying those aspects that they come to
the potential to interfere with the enjoyment
see.
of other visitors and to harm the reserve itself.
Although the number of incidents has fallen
dramatically since the introduction of PSPOs, “Beautiful place for our daily dog walk.”
rangers still have to deal with incidents of
dogs not being under effective control; a “Ideal for wearing out young children!”
minority have injured wildife. Furthermore,
some owners are still not picking up their “It’s a magic place.”
dog’s faeces: this is causing a build up of 2019 consultation responses
undesirable nutrients and other chemicals
on the nature reserve, and potentially
23 DRAFT 2 THE NEED FOR MANAGEMENT24 DRAFT 3 A VISION FOR BURNHAM BEECHES
3. 0 A vision for Neighbouring fields provide additional land
when grazing numbers on-site need to be
3.2 A 10-year vision
Burnham Beeches reduced. The wood pasture system has a A 500 year vision seems a long way in the
high conservation value and may also be a future but is a single generation for the
sustainable source of fuel and food for the ancient trees. This management plan is a
3.1 Vision of Burnham Beeches in 500 years local community if this does not conflict with another step along the path. We aim to build
the needs of wildlife. on the achievements of previous plans by
Burnham Beeches, conserved and protected completing the majority of restoration work
for ever, will be a first class, sustainable A local community working together and moving conservation management work
public open space and a site of international The local community are proud of the towards a maintenance phase.
conservation importance. Beeches. Visitors work with the City of London The projects detailed in the following section
to care for ‘their’ heritage ensuring that focus on five main areas.
Burnham Beeches, one part of a larger access is managed to ensure that people
w Grazing, as the key to sustainable wood
green landscape can enjoy the reserve without detracting
pasture restoration and management.
from its natural character. The Beeches is a
Burnham Beeches is part of a larger w Ensuring continuity of habitat for the
safe place for informal recreation and there
landscape, linked by a network of wildlife rare and threatened species associated
are opportunities to learn about the past,
areas that encircle London and stretch across with the veteran trees, including pollard
present and planned future of the Beeches in
the country and maintained by organisations management to prolong the life of existing
a variety of different ways.
and communities that safeguard the veteran trees and creating and managing
environment. Harmful pollution is a thing of a new generation of ancient pollards.
the past; all transport systems are sustainable. The future is secured
Quiet roads surround the Beeches, and The Beeches is financially secure, renowned w Working to connect Burnham Beeches to
other local green spaces, so that the local internationally for its work and good practice the wider natural landscape to increase
community can walk, cycle or ride safely. in conservation management. The site adapts the resilience and biodiversity of wildlife in
appropriately to external influences such as the local area.
Outstanding habitats maintained by grazing climate change and continues to contribute w Managing the negative impact of high
to international debate and action on major visitor numbers to reduce stresses on the
Burnham Beeches is an attractive and varied
ecological issues affecting the planet. trees and other components of the nature
landscape, rich in wildlife. It is an intricate
reserve.
mix of open woodland, heathy and grassy
areas and dense woodland. Livestock graze 98% of respondents supported the w Information and interpretation to help
across the nature reserve under pollarded overall long-term vision for Burnham others understand why Burnham Beeches
trees of all ages. Beeches. is such a fragile and special place, and to
2019 consultation response raise the profile of Burnham Beeches as a
world-class nature reserve.You can also read
