This is how land grows and evolves naturally.
Woodland is the final evolution of growth if a patch of bare ground is left undisturbed for many years. When the long-lived trees of the wood are at maximum height, this is called climax canopy. A new tree can only grow into the canopy if one of the older ones makes way for it.
The sequence from bare ground to woodland happens like this:
Years 1-5
Grasses, annual and perennial weeds seed themselves and begin to establish a matted thatch of ground cover. This ‘build up’ and breakdown of organic matter encourages root growth and soil life underneath the ground, while attracting small creatures, insects and birds above. There is a buildup of diversity and interactivity among the plant and animal world, and this adds to the overall fertility.
Years 3-8
Bushes, brambles and pioneer trees begin to take advantage of the fertility.
Pioneer trees are those that do not require a deeper, fertile soil – they actually thrive on open poorer ground, they are often short lived and their role is to prepare the ground for the longer lived and larger trees which come along later. In England, pioneer trees are birch, alder, hawthorn etc. The brambles, bushes and pioneer trees lay down a nitrogen rich mulch from falling leaves and produce fruits and seeds which encourage more animals and insects to colonise the ground, further adding to the fertility.
Years 5-20
As the ground below becomes richer, fungi and bacteria create conditions suited to the bigger and longer-lived trees. Birds, squirrels and other creatures continue to bring in seeds, nuts, fruits and build their homes there. Species like hawthorns, crab apples, hazels and bigger trees like oak and ash begin to grow.
Ongoing…
The wood grows…. Birch trees live for 60-80 years; oaks and ash trees can live for 3-400 years, sometimes longer if they are coppiced; yew trees can live for thousands of years, no one really knows how long they can live for!
This woodland has evolved from bare earth to be diverse, interactive and complex. It is home to millions of creatures who live their lives under the branches, leaves and ground the trees grow out of and upon. Our evolved woodland is the ultimate in natural efficiency and abundance.
And joined with the locality and climate, this living wood will also evolve a unique aesthetic, ecological and spiritual quality – Mother Nature’s own sense of place.