Dorn Valley Woodlands
Large-scale woodland design and creation: delivering natural capital
Over a quarter of a million trees were planted across nine woodlands in partnership with the Blenheim Estate and Morgan Sindall Group. The woodlands were carefully positioned to improve the water quality of the River Dorn by filtering pollutants and reducing sediment run-off from agricultural fields in the most optimal areas. This in turn aims to reduce siltation of Blenheim lakes. Extensive site checks included assessing current land use and class, slope, current and historic flood risk maps, designations and protections, and archaeological and heritage restrictions through geophysical surveys and LIDAR. 27 suitable tree species were selected based on soil sampling and climatic predictions to create a resilience, biodiverse patchwork of woodlands. Carbon and timber values were
calculated, resulting in these woodlands providing a profitable investment, along with a legacy for the estate, it’s visitors, and local communities
Dorn Valley before woodland creation, with arable fields running into the river basin
Aerial view of the new planting, sequestering 20,000 tonnes of CO2 over its lifetime
Map with post-planting aerial drone overlay to provide actual conifer and broadleaf areas.
Overview map with 9km of new permissive paths within the woodland scheme.
Surveys including: LIDAR, Soil Moisture Monitoring, Geophysical Survey
Dorn Valley Woodlands
Large-scale woodland design and creation: delivering natural capital
Over a quarter of a million trees were planted across nine woodlands in partnership with the Blenheim Estate and Morgan Sindall Group. The woodlands were carefully positioned to improve the water quality of the River Dorn by filtering pollutants and reducing sediment run-off from agricultural fields in the most optimal areas. This in turn aims to reduce siltation of Blenheim lakes. Extensive site checks included assessing current land use and class, slope, current and historic flood risk maps, designations and protections, and archaeological and heritage restrictions through geophysical surveys and LIDAR. 27 suitable tree species were selected based on soil sampling and climatic predictions to create a resilience, biodiverse patchwork of woodlands. Carbon and timber values were
calculated, resulting in these woodlands providing a profitable investment, along with a legacy for the estate, it’s visitors, and local communities
Dorn Valley before woodland creation, with arable fields running into the river basin
Aerial view of the new planting, sequestering 20,000 tonnes of CO2 over its lifetime
Map with post-planting aerial drone overlay to provide actual conifer and broadleaf areas.
Overview map with 9km of new permissive paths within the woodland scheme.
Surveys including: LIDAR, Soil Moisture Monitoring, Geophysical Survey
