Traditional Woodland Management Boosts Wildlife at Historic Sutton Hoo Site

Historic woodland management methods have been implemented to address climate change and enhance biodiversity at a significant Anglo-Saxon archaeological location. Following the introduction of coppicing and thinning practices at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk, the site has experienced a rise in wildlife and wildflowers, notably including the endangered Nightingale songbird. Sutton Hoo is believed to be the burial site of King Raedwald, who governed East Anglia during the 7th Century. The trust managing the site stated that the reuse of felled timber contributed to a reduction in its carbon footprint. Coppicing is defined as the practice of cutting trees near their base, which encourages the growth of new shoots from the resulting stump, or ‘stool’. Thinning entails removing approximately 30% of trees from a woodland area over a decade to promote regeneration and improve light penetration. Additionally, the site is repurposing the timber that has been felled. Jonathan Plews, the area ranger at Sutton Hoo, commented: “On first glance, coppicing does look quite severe, but by removing the canopy for a few years, we can allow increased light levels and warmth into the ground. This increases germination rates in the soil and encourages saplings, wildflowers and other specialist species, such as bramble, to come through.” The reinstatement of these traditional methods forms part of a broader shift from the site’s existing plantation-style woodland towards a more indigenous woodland ecosystem. Plantation woodland is typically cultivated as a crop to satisfy specific timber demands, while native woodland develops organically over time, fostering a wider diversity of species, ages, structural elements, and light conditions. Since the commencement of active woodland management, the location has observed a rise in the nightingale population. In 2024, four pairs were documented at Sutton Hoo. This species has experienced a 90% decline in its population over the past five decades, with approximately 5,500 breeding males remaining. It is currently categorized among the UK’s most endangered avian species, appearing on the RSPB’s red list. Within one year of coppicing being reintroduced, the ranger team has also noted an increase in other forms of wildlife and wildflowers within the woodland. The timber that has been felled is being utilized to construct gates, fencing, signage, and benches across the estate, as well as to produce marketable gifts. Matt Wilson, countryside manager for the National Trust’s Suffolk & Essex portfolio, stated that these techniques enable them to “support vital habitats for wildlife and increase biodiversity, but also look at how we can better and more sustainably manage our sites in response to climate change”. For updates on Suffolk news, follow BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.