Pre-war, an avenue of trees stood on Alscot land that started at Lodge Park and swept across the land as far as Top Park. Using the two remaining oak trees as the starting point, a new avenue of oak trees has been planted across Lodge Park in the first phase to recreate the avenue that was lost to war time needs.

The new avenue is being planted to recognise James Holman-West’s forthcoming 21st birthday. Each of the 42 oak trees, 21 either side, were originally planted on the Estate over 10 years ago in a nursery woodland and have been transported using a mechanical tree spade.

It is hoped that eventually we can continue the avenue with another phase of planting.

Our team are busy planting 465 new trees in a variety of species in our woodlands.

This is to combat the devastation caused by Ash Die-Back, a disease with disastrous results for the landscape and biodiversity.

This method of forestry helps prevent major loss and counteracts the devastating impact on the woodlands and connecting habitats. Without action the disease will spread and we could lose more trees than necessary as well as connecting hedge rows and other trees on surrounding land.

In addition we have planted 1,318 hedging plants of different species in various locations, by way of a positive attempt to rejuvenate existing hedgerows, as well as creating new ones.

New hedgerows follow Natural England’s suggested species to encourage biodiversity and are a mix of 80% hawthorn and the remaining 20% made up of field maple, dog wood, hazel, midland hawthorn, spindle, wild privet, blackthorn and purging buckthorn.

As a leading project of its type, we are pleased to continually welcome Government officials and representatives and members of local and county authorities, to the Alscot Biodiversity Project and our aims for carbon neutrality.

Our latest event took in the site on foot and we, along with our team of expert ecologists, showcased our current flagship project and future development plan to expand Biodiversity land.

We are delighted to launch Leaves for Leases part of our on-going commitment to the environment, climate change and our aim to become carbon zero by 2050. The initiative will see a new tree planted for each new Alscot commercial and residential tenancy, going forward.

This vlog featuring Emma Holman-West, Jon Dearsley and Ben Knight, explores how the Alscot Estate has created one of the first habitat banks in the country. Emma discusses her Estate’s journey to achieving biodiversity net gain.

Savills UK | Creating habitat banks on your land soundbyte

Alscot has recently taken Lake Park back in house, to manage as part of Alscot’s Biodiversity Project.

This means that we are committed to a long term plan, of at least 30 years, to improve the grass and woodland and in turn encourage and enhance plant and animal species and their habitats. In doing so, we are following a long term process-lead approach, set out by leading ecological specialists.

Just under 10 years ago we created a new plantation called Bermondsey Wood, consisting of British Oak, Hornbeam and Silver Birch. Bermondsey Wood is nursery site and today we started to transfer some of the established oak trees from Bermondsey Wood to other locations on the estate.

As well as planting new trees across the Estate, very sadly we occasionally loose old ones too. Trees are often the victim of storms, including an ancient cedar tree that was recently damaged as a result of storm Dennis, and many others are lost to age, fragility and disease.

This old Turkey Oak was identified as over 70% dead and due to its size and exposed location, it was considered highly dangerous and had to be felled. With a tree of this size, felling is a highly skilled, dangerous and expensive job.

On 20th December 2019, the skilled team started work in extremely dark and wet weather conditions, however, this huge tree was felled successfully, professionally and with precision to ensure everyone's safety.