We will be temporarily closing Thirds Wood to ensure public safety whilst essential tree works take place.
We will be undertaking essential tree management works within Thirds Wood this November. Paths into the wood, which straddles Jubilee Drive, will be closed from Sunday 5th November for a short period whilst the work is underway.
Visitor access to Thirds Wood for visitors will remain closed until all the work is completed.
A road closure on Jubilee Drive will be in operation from 08:00 on Monday 6th to 16:00 Friday 10th inclusive. The Highways Authority will be advertising a diversion route. This will allow the leaning roadside trees to be removed safely.
The northern half of Gardiner’s Quarry car park will be closed to allow the works to take place. Parking for visitors will still be available in the southern half of the car park and the parking area to the west of Jubilee Drive.
The Work
The work aims to secure the future of this mixed conifer and broadleaf woodland, to keep it open for people, and provide a home for wildlife.
Selective thinning of area known locally as ‘Little Switzerland’ will include the removal of some of dangerous and leaning trees. It will thin younger, dense stands that will benefit from more light. Felling of poor specimens will create space to plant suitable new trees for the future. Around 4% of all trees will be affected.
Jonathan Bills, Conservation Manager, said, ‘We recognise that Thirds Wood is a special place that is very different from anywhere else on the Malvern Hills. We’re using the need to fell dangerous trees as an opportunity to ensure the wood’s future through new planting of Scots Pine and Norway Spruce.”
The scheduled works for Thirds Wood have been put together following detailed planning and public consultation. The Trust will be carrying out the selective felling works in accordance with plans approved by the Forestry Commission and Natural England.
We've put together an information sheet with more detail about the work we're undertaking. Thank you for your patience whilst this work takes place.
