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Wildlife
- Close
- - We protect wildlife in Britain and around the world by bringing our most threatened species back from the brink of extinction. We do this through ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Wild places
- Close
- - Some habitats contain such a richness of life that we need to protect them at all odds. We are working to preserve ancient woodlands, orchards and wood pastures and parklands, as well as the countless species they support.
What we do
- Close
- - Everything we do is based on scientific evidence. We gather this through surveys, which you can take part in, and by awarding research grants to the most inspiring scientists worldwide. This evidence guides our conservation efforts and is shared through our events and publications.
Who we are
- Close
- - People’s Trust for Endangered Species was set up in 1977 to save our wildlife. We are governed by a board of volunteer trustees and our team of staff are passionate about protecting endangered species and places.
Success stories
- Close
- - We strive to bring our most threatened species in the UK and around the world back from the brink of extinction. Our successes come from ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Get involved
- Close
- - There are so many ways you can help save endangered species. Fancy taking part in a survey, joining us on a wildlife event or becoming a regular supporter?
Shop
- Close
- - Support our work in our shop with a range of charity gifts, home-ware, cards and more. 100% of the profits go directly to help wildlife both in the UK an overseas.
Donate
- Close
- - There is nothing natural about the alarming rate at which we are losing animals and their homes. It is absolutely avoidable. We can stop the loss of our wildlife – but we need your support. You can act now by choosing to give to our cause. Thank you.

Home // Key species and habitats // Hazel dormice // Hazel dormouse conservation // Woodland management

Woodland management

common-dog-violet-PTES-hazel-dormouse-conservation

Despite more woodland in England today than 20 years ago, woodland birds, butterflies and plants still decline in neglected, mismanaged or under-managed wood.

Overgrazing by a soaring deer population and nutrient enrichment from atmospheric pollution compound the problem. We need better, as well as, more woodland, if it’s to be protected and enjoyed by future generations. This requires a more informed and more active approach to woodland management.

Woodlands with dormice

It’s illegal to disturb a dormouse resting place, making it theoretically illegal to manage woodlands with dormice. However, dormice live in successional vegetation growth that is only sustained through active management.

In Britain, this anomaly is resolved by allowing management in small or medium-sized woodlands possible without a licence as long as best practice guidelines are followed.

Currently those guidelines are provided in:

PTES’ Managing small woodlands for Dormice
The Dormouse Conservation Handbook
A protocol for undertaking woodland management in England where dormice are present (Forestry Commission)

Woodland management aims

1. When active, dormice are arboreal and prefer not to come to ground

Maintain areas of dense scrubby growth in the wood connected by similar, linear type habitat i.e. areas of coppice could be connected by managed ride sides and/or woodland edge.

Prevent shading of the understory. Allow sprawling lateral branches to develop which provides arboreal routes for the animals to use.

Dormice occur most frequently in boxes in young successional habitat aged between 8 – 20 years. To sustain a dormouse population it is thought that at least 10 ha of this habitat type needs to be maintained within a woodland.

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2. When active, dormice are successional feeders

Maintain an adequate diversity of woody plant species to provide a continuous sequence of flowers and fruits from April to November. Age diversity is important too, in the canopy trees, shrub layer and any coppice that is present.

Woodland management (for small woods up to 10ha) objectives

Undertake any tree, scrub or coppice work between November and March to avoid disturbing nesting dormice. The destruction or disturbance of a breeding nest can seriously affect the local dormouse population.
Keep fire sites, paths and trackways to a minimum to avoid harming hibernating dormice
Fell or coppice in small non-adjacent blocks (no larger than ¼ha depending on woodland size) to ensure a complete dormouse home range is not destroyed. Aim for a complete cycle over about 20 yrs.
Retain arboreal connection between habitats such as coppice blocks to allow dormice to travel throughout the woodland without coming to the ground.
Maintain coppice stool density by layering or planting
Manage deer populations

Other management advice

Take a look at our hedgerow management for dormice pages.

We have been working to save hazel dormice in the UK for over 20 years. Find out about our campaigns and how you can help.

How you can help

Go back to Hazel dormouse conservation

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