Create the ride to be initially an average of at least 2.5 times the height of the trees (wider at scallops and narrower at pinch points). A long-term aim should be to allow some natural regeneration to occur (e.g. retain a ride as wide as 2 time the height of the trees, allowing the remainder to grow over; e.g. create an extra scallop which is allowed to grow over), to give an indication of how well the seed bank has survived in the woodland Scallops and pinch points should be features of the ride, to reduce windthrow and maximise the light and warmth reaching the ride (see Fig. 1). Creating a sinuous, rather than straight, ride will also help reduce windthrow. Manage between three and four vegetation ‘zones’along the ride, from short grassland in the centre, through tall herbs and bramble to a thicker understorey scrub layer at the edge of the main woodland (see Fig. 2), increasing diversity, and warmth within the woodland.

To let in as much light and warmth as possible, to encourage a range of woodland flora and other wildlife, the width of the glade should be at least twice that of the height of the trees. Manage between three and four vegetation ‘zones’around the glade, from short grassland in the centre, through tall herbs and bramble to a thicker understorey scrub layer at the edge of the main woodland, increasing diversity, and warmth within the woodland

Create wider, more sinuous rides with occasional scallops, through Corsican pine. [See detail under (1.)]

Create a glade as wide as 2 times the height of canopy trees to let in more light and warmth to the pond for aquatic plants, dragonflies, butterflies, grass-snakes and other animals.

This would allow light and warmth in to currently the darkest area of the woodland, enhancing the ground flora and providing habitat for a range of wildlife including butter-flies and birds.

A long term possibility could be to create a series of glades, allowing natural regeneration to gradually take over each, ultimately replacing the pines with a more native broadleaf community.

Alternatively consider some removal and replacement of pines through planting native broadleaves, if natural regeneration is poor or too slow

Consider reintroducing a 7-15 year coppice rotation to the sweet chestnut. Coupes should be around 0.5 acres minimum size to ensure they are able to regenerate and are not shaded out by the remaining canopy