Forestry Tree Felling The Estate woodlands extend to some 2,400 acres falling within the area of the former Rockingham Forest and consist mainly of hardwoods arranged predominantly in 4 major blocks. About 600 acres of plantation have been established on reinstated, ironstone, opencast-worked land. Much of the remainder is on the Draft Register as Ancient or Semi-Natural Woodland, with 110 acres designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
The Woods Department labour force includes a Head Forester and 3 foresters. Three local contractors are also employed. Some timber is sold standing. Annual timber production is about 2,000 cubic metres, with the various markets being soft - and hard - wood sawlogs, veneers, fencing materials, firewood, woodchips. The production is currently encompassing management of coppices in rotation to produce material that can be used on the Estate as Thatching spars, other material will be turned to charcoal. The estate sawmill is used to convert logs for a variety of end-products, some of which are utilised on the estate.
A hundred acres of Farm Woodland were planted in 1989-91, mainly on the disused Grafton airfield. The woodland is designed to break up the otherwise prairie-like expanse of the former airfield site. During recent years, over 20 acres of Christmas tree plantations have been established. These are now in production providing a range of "exotic' species, in addition to the more traditional Norway Spruce. Over 2000 Christmas trees are harvested each year. The Estate plants many hectares of woodland every year. Planting takes place on agricultural land, woodland - which has been felled, or land reclaimed after iron ore mining.
	Two types of tree are planted - broadleaf and conifer. Broadleaf (or deciduous) trees such as oak, ash or beech grow more slowly than conifer, such as pine or spruce. Conifers reach economic maturity in 40-60 years, broadleaves can take 60-160 years.
A mixture of both trees is planted initially, but the conifer crop is extracted, together with some broadleaves, over a period of years, leaving a final crop of broadleaved-hardwoods, which has a higher timber value. Small trees (transplants) are usually planted. These are grown from seed in the Forestry Nursery. When planted, the transplants are between 30 and 60 cm high.   SOME TREES FOUND AT BOUGHTON PARK:
OAK LIME BEECH YEW HOLLY HAWTHORN ROWAN	BLACK WALNUT HORSE CHESTNUT POPLAR CRICKET BAT WILLOW ASH SYCAMORE
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