Plans for Watford Whippendell Wood as seen in Star Wars film

In a bid to allow more light into Whippendell Wood in Watford, invasive non-native trees will be removed over the next five years.

Leading on the work will be Watford Borough Council, which maintains the wood, in conjunction with Natural England, Forestry Commission and The Woodland Trust.

Part of the woods dates back to 1672 (Image: Watford Borough Council)

The council said non-native conifers add little benefit to the plants and wildlife in the local area and over the years have stopped native plants from growing and wildlife from flourishing.

Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor said: “Whippendell Woods is a real gem which is enjoyed by thousands of people each year.

“However, there is work to be done to make it a healthy woodland.

“Looking after our environment and making Watford a greener town is so important, so I’m really pleased we are starting these works.”

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Returning the ancient woodland to its natural state will be beneficial for the local area and native trees, such as birch and rowan, will be planted or allowed to grow back naturally over that time, said the council.

Woodland is classed as ancient land  when it has been continuously wooded since 1600.

It accounts for just 2% of our land area in the UK, a loss fuelled by the fashion for planting fast growing conifers in an industrial age. Once destroyed, it can never be replaced.

The Watford Observer has previously reported that 60 percent of the 65-hectare area of Whippendell woods is classed as ancient woodland.

The woods, which have been used as a filming location for Star Wars, Holby City and Silent Witness, also has an avenue of lime trees dating back to 1672, which runs diagonally through the wood.

Volunteers have already been working to restore glades and rides in the woodland, which will benefit a range of species, particularly woodland butterflies. (Image: Pixabay)

Works on the woodlands were first announced in March 2020.

At the time, it was revealed that non-native species, including cherry laurel, snowberry and rhododendron, compete with native species and reduce the diversity of flowers.

Mr Taylor added: “Woodlands need to be managed to ensure they can be enjoyed by future generations.

“The scheme will help us to keep the woods healthy for many more years.”

Whippendell Wood was surveyed in 2018 by the Woodland Trust’s Ancient Woodland Restoration Project. 

It provided vital information which complements the council’s existing management plan on how best to restore the ancient woodland.

The aim is to improve the structural and species diversity of the woodland to support more wildlife, improve access, create better links with the park and wider landscape, and to protect this Site of Special Scientific Interest, which means it is protected by law to conserve its wildlife and geology.

The unique undisturbed soils and ecosystems found in these sites form the UK’s richest land habitat.

Whippendell Woods. Image: Watford Borough Council

It is home to a host of rare, protected and threatened wildlife - 256 species of conservation concern are associated with ancient woodland; species that are slow to react to change, find it difficult to adapt, and are not mobile enough to move to other locations to survive.

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It was only in August 2022 that rare butterflies were spotted back in Whippendell Wood.

An increased number of sightings of purple emperor and white admiral butterflies were reported by nature spotters.

The butterflies declined steadily during the 20th Century and are now restricted to some of the larger woods in southern England.