Glossary

 

Forestry

Biodiversity:

Biological diversity is the variety of living things and can be used as a key measure of sustainability.

Any woodland existing or created for the benefit and enjoyment of a local woodland community.

Cone bearing trees, often with needle-like leaves which are kept all winter (with a few exceptions, e.g. larch). Often termed 'softwoods' as the timber produced is not as dense as that from deciduous trees.

A traditional management technique for some deciduous tree (e.g. oak) and shrub (e.g. hazel) species. The wood sprouting from old stumps is harvested at regular intervals when it is still relatively small. Where the stump is cut at head height to prevent cattle and grazing animals eating the new shoots, this is called 'pollarding'.

Trees which shed their leaves annually. These are usually soft, flat leaves that are lost in the autumn. The dense timber produced results in these often being called 'hardwoods'.

Education about the environment with the aim of developing the skills and attitudes to make informed decisions about environmental issues.

An area of woodland, often used to describe large areas with coniferous or deciduous trees or a mixture of both.

A purpose-built vehicle for collecting and extracting felled timber from the forest.

The natural home of a plant or animal.

A wood containing both deciduous and coniferous trees, either intimately mixed or in discrete groups.

A forest managed to deliver a range of economic, environmental, forest and social benefits.

An area of woodland containing trees and other species which are found naturally and which have not been introduced by man. (Woodlands containing these same species can be planted to achieve a similar effect.)

An area of planted woodland, often used to describe areas recently planted predominantely with conifers.

Tropical, evergreen forest with no dry season.

To keep things going indefinitely. Sustaining our environment involves not doing anything which would damage the natural systems that support all life on Earth and of which all species, including humans, are a part.

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The art and science of growing trees.

The product from trees which have been felled; and which has a wide range of uses, e.g. firewood, to make paper, wood-based panels and sawn into planks.

An area of trees, often used to describe small areas of deciduous trees. It can, however, also be used for larger areas and areas planted with conifers.