You are in: MoreTrees MoreGood > Advice centre > Guides & tools > Site design

Step 3: Designing your site

The three underpinning factors to keep in mind when designing your site are environmental impact, creation costs and maintenance costs. Planning permission is not required for woodland creation, but an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) may be required for large schemes.

Think about how your site will look both in the short-term and into the future. Straight lines of trees are easier to maintain during the early years but they can look regimented. Trees will thin themselves over time, if left to their own devices, which will develop a more natural pattern. You can aid this process by thinning or restructuring during the maintenance period.

Remember how wide a tree or hedge will grow. When you plant that tiny twig in an open field, it could grow into a 15-metre diameter mature parkland tree, or become a one or two-metre wide hedge. Bear this in mind when planting beside roads, buildings or paths.

Stocking and spacing

Woodland design
Where not to plant

Woodland design

Watch our video on How to Plan a Wood by clicking on the image below (opens in a new window)

call us If you are planting over a hectare of land, our woodland creation are here to help you. Contact us on 0845 293 5689 to talk to us about your project.

In a woodland setting, single species are best planted in groups of perhaps 9 to 21+ trees, blending edges into the next group to emulate natural processes. Try to avoid planting in geometric patterns if you want to create a natural looking woodland. Intimate mixtures can also be difficult to manage.

Scalloped woodland edges look most appropriate in the landscape, and provide important wildlife habitats in their own right.

Woodland flora

Woodland ground flora can be a spectacular sight in springtime. Over time plants will gradually colonise from surrounding hedges or be transported by birds or animals, however many prefer shade and will not flourish before the canopy closes. Wild flowers can be planted as seeds or small bulbs. Daffodils, snowdrops and crocus bulbs, while not native, will provide early spring colour.

Access and recreation

Think through how you want to access and enjoy your wood. Rides, glades and open spaces can be important for wildlife, landscape and recreation. However remember open spaces do require maintenance.

Plan paths through your woodland to make the most of views and other interesting natural features. Blackthorn, holly and hawthorn all provide effective natural barriers to guide walkers, whilst wide paths with long curves help people feel safe by providing sight-lines. Shrubs along paths and edges will give a wood a more diverse and colourful appearance. Avoid wet areas that may require costly drainage or infrastructure.

Planning permission is normally required for the creation of new entrances or management access points if they lead onto public roads or footpaths. Seek advice from your local highways authority.

Maintenance

Design in good access for maintenance vehicles. For large sites consider laying out a network of rides to help you traverse the site easily.

Where not to plant

Trees will grow practically anywhere, but there some places where you shouldn’t plant, or where there are special considerations.

Protected archaeological or historical features could be damaged by growing tree roots. Check first with the County Council and appropriate authorities.
Avoid planting within 5 metres of overhead electric cables, and be aware of underground pipes and cables. You can get information about underground pipes and cables from the utility companies.
Some specialised and established habitats are more valuable to wildlife than new woodland, for example grassland that has never been ploughed, wetland and heathland. If in doubt, seek advice from the local Wildlife Trust or similar organisation.
If you’re planting more than 2 hectares (5 acres) of woodland in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), Natural Scenic Area, or National Park you will need an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Elsewhere, the threshold for an EIA is usually 5 hectares (12.5 acres) but it’s worth checking with the relevant Forestry Authority first.

Think about the location carefully before proceeding to plant trees where they would obscure treasured landscape or local views. Ensure boundaries against roads and highways are properly fenced, and don’t let trees reduce the lines of sight for roads.

You are also responsible for making sure your land is safe for people to visit. Insuring your land in case anyone injures themselves is advisable.

Step 3 - Designing the site

The Woodland Trust is a charity registered in England and Wales (No. 294344) and in Scotland (No. SC038885).
A non-profit making company limited by guarantee. Registered in England No. 1982873.
Registered office: Kempton Way, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 6LL.
The Woodland Trust logo is a registered trademark.
Contact us | FAQs | E-newsletter | Privacy & cookie policy | Accessibility | DDA | Images © protected Woodland Trust