1. Background and Purpose 2. Use of the certification standard 3. Structure of the certification standard 4. Procedures for use of the certification standard 5. Interpretation and revision of the certification standard

6.1 Protection of rare species, habitats and natural resources 6.2 Maintenance of biodiversity and ecological functions 6.3 Conservation of semi-natural woodlands and plantations on ancient woodland sites 6.4 Game management

7.1 Consultation 7.2 Woodland access and recreation including traditional and permissive use rights 7.3 Rural economy 7.4 Minimising adverse impacts

8. Forestry workforce

8.1 Health and safety 8.2 Training and continuing development 8.3 Workers’ rights 8.4 Insurance

Glossary of Terms Appendix: References

Key

The following abbreviations have been used throughout the text to highlight sources of additional information. More info.

Managment
Planning

Biodiversity
Action Plan

Forest
Reproductive
Material
Regulations

References

Woodland design: creation, felling and replanting

3.2Location and design
3.2.1	Requirement New woodlands shall be located and designed in ways that will maintain or enhance the visual, cultural and ecological value and character of the wider landscape. Means of verification All woodlands: Management planning documentation Discussions with the owner/manager Maps Field observation. Non-SLIM woodlands: Design plan.	Guidance In particular, new woodlands should contribute to the conservation of neighbouring semi-natural woodland and other habitats. BAP priority habitats and sites for BAP priority species as given in the UK and local Biodiversity Action Plans should be avoided. Where appropriate and possible, use should be made of natural regeneration or planting stock from parental material growing in the local native seed zone (native species) or region of provenance (non-native species).
3.2.2	Requirement New planting shall be designed in such a way as to ensure the creation over time of a diverse woodland. Means of verification All woodlands: Management planning documentation Discussions with the owner/manager Maps Field observation. Non-SLIM woodlands: Design plan.	Guidance A diverse woodland may be achieved through one or more of the following: Use of a diversity of species, clones and provenances Planting mixed stands Variation in site types and growth rates Management designed to avoid the need for felling over a very limited period Phased planting Retention of open ground Design and creation of wind firm edges. The general aim should be to create a woodland that is sufficiently diverse to allow achievement of the felling rates given in section 3.4.2.
3.2.3	Requirement Even-aged woodlands shall be gradually restructured to diversify ages and habitats. Means of verification All woodlands: Management planning documentation Discussions with the owner/manager Maps Field observation. Non-SLIM woodlands: Design plan.	Guidance Restructuring should be planned and implemented in accordance with FC Practice Guide Forest Design Planning – A Guide to Good Practice.
3.2.4	Requirement Where appropriate, contact shall be made with the owners of adjoining woodlands to try to ensure that restructuring of one woodland complements and does not jeopardise the management of adjoining ones. Means of verification Letter or other records of communication with the owners/managers of adjoining woodlands.	Guidance It is recognised that the owners of neighbouring woodlands may not be known, and in such cases the owners/managers should be able to show that they have considered likely impacts on their neighbours.

3.2Location and design

3.2.1

Requirement

New woodlands shall be located and designed in ways that will maintain or enhance the visual, cultural and ecological value and character of the wider landscape.

Means of verification

All woodlands:

Management planning documentation
Discussions with the owner/manager
Maps
Field observation.

Non-SLIM woodlands:

Design plan.

Guidance

In particular, new woodlands should contribute to the conservation of neighbouring semi-natural woodland and other habitats.

BAP priority habitats and sites for BAP priority species as given in the UK and local Biodiversity Action Plans should be avoided.

Where appropriate and possible, use should be made of natural regeneration or planting stock from parental material growing in the local native seed zone (native species) or region of provenance (non-native species).

3.2.2

Requirement

New planting shall be designed in such a way as to ensure the creation over time of a diverse woodland.

Means of verification

All woodlands:

Management planning documentation
Discussions with the owner/manager
Maps
Field observation.

Non-SLIM woodlands:

Design plan.

Guidance

A diverse woodland may be achieved through one or more of the following:

Use of a diversity of species, clones and provenances
Planting mixed stands
Variation in site types and growth rates
Management designed to avoid the need for felling over a very limited period
Phased planting
Retention of open ground
Design and creation of wind firm edges.

The general aim should be to create a woodland that is sufficiently diverse to allow achievement of the felling rates given in section 3.4.2.

3.2.3

Requirement

Even-aged woodlands shall be gradually restructured to diversify ages and habitats.

Means of verification

All woodlands:

Management planning documentation
Discussions with the owner/manager
Maps
Field observation.

Non-SLIM woodlands:

Design plan.

Guidance

Restructuring should be planned and implemented in accordance with FC Practice Guide Forest Design Planning – A Guide to Good Practice.

3.2.4

Requirement

Where appropriate, contact shall be made with the owners of adjoining woodlands to try to ensure that restructuring of one woodland complements and does not jeopardise the management of adjoining ones.

Means of verification

Letter or other records of communication with the owners/managers of adjoining woodlands.

Guidance

It is recognised that the owners of neighbouring woodlands may not be known, and in such cases the owners/managers should be able to show that they have considered likely impacts on their neighbours.