Please note that Yew (Taxus baccata) is treated as a broadleaved tree by convention.

Please note that, if the site is dominated by Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) you should use "Other Scot's pine woodland" habitat

80% or more of the woodland canopy will be formed of coniferous trees.

At least two different age classes of trees (young, intermediate and/or old) will be found across the woodland once the habitat has developed. This will be achieved through appropriate species selection and appropriate management for at least 30 years. This recognises that different tree species mature at different ages. For example:

There will be a minimum of two woodland storeys (layers) of trees and shrubs. These will be a canopy layer of taller trees and an understorey of smaller trees or shrubs.

Woodland shall be allowed to regenerate through appropriate management like selective thinning or coppicing (a traditional method of cutting back).

At least five native tree species will occupy more than 80% of the total canopy area.

The management regime will ensure the site remains free from invasive non-native species (INNS), such as rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum spp) and cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) and species listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (as amended).

Steps will be taken to prevent significant damage from wild, domestic and feral animals (i.e. browsing damage).

The management regime will ensure most trees are always in healthy condition due to appropriate best practice management, including disease prevention and removal of obviously diseased trees.

Deadwood (such as standing deadwood, fallen deadwood or dead branches) or small cavities in trees will be allowed to accrue until it can be found in at least 25% of the parcel.

Once deadwood has accrued in over 25% of the parcel, this will be allowed to increase by having a regime that doesn't clear away dead trees and branches that naturally form (unless caused by a disease). Felled trees and brash piles will be left in place. The plan is to ensure that at least 50% of the whole woodland area has deadwood and small cavities in living trees.

The ground vegetation layer will be made up of characteristic, native woodland wildflowers and other plants.

Steps will be taken to ensure that there is no nutrient enrichment or damaged ground such as soil compaction from machinery, trampling, animal poaching or litter. (Signs of nutrient enrichment which will be used to monitor this include dominance of species such as common nettle Urtica dioica, cleavers Galium aparine or thistles Cirsium spp.

Steps will be taken to ensure that there is a diverse woodland ground flora made up of 100% native species, including a range of characteristic ancient woodland ground flora. For example, English bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta, wood anemone Anemone nemorosa, wood sorrel Oxalis acetosella, wild garlic Allium ursinum, dog’s mercury Mercurialis perennis, red campion Silene dioica, hard fern Blechnum spicant and hart’s tongue fern Asplenium scolopendrium.

Steps will be taken to ensure that there are three or more storeys in the woodland, including upper canopy, middle, shrub and ground layer.

Steps will be taken to ensure veteran trees are maintained.