OAK trees in a nature reserve near Wickwar are to be given a new lease of life.

The oaks, which are located in Lower Woods, one of the largest ancient woodlands in the south-west of England, have been living a cramped existence, hemmed in by non-native Norway spruce.

But now Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, which looks after Lower Woods, is to provide 25 tree titans with more space to expand and develop.

Lower Woods, which covers 300 square kilometres, is a green oasis, and home to a wide diversity of plants and animals, with over 2,500 species - from bats to more than 50 species of birds.

During the 1940s and 1950s, non-native trees were planted in Lower Woods, including a large swathe of Norway spruce.

These spruce trees have grown to dominate a number of native oak trees in the south-east part of the woodland, significantly limiting the biodiversity there.

Many mature oak trees at Lower Woods are now not developing to their full potential due to over-shading from the spruce trees.

A mature oak tree can be home to over 30 bird species such as the spotted flycatcher, over 1,000 insect species including the oak hook-tip moth, and over 700 species of lichen.

However, this requires the oak tree to be in an ideal environment where its boughs can develop and spread out towards the sunlight.

The presence of the over-shading spruce trees is not only affecting the development of these oak titans, but the biodiversity that these suppressed trees are able to support.

A wildlife trust project, part-funded with a £12,000 grant from Ibstock Enovert Trust, has now started to release these mature and veteran oaks from the over-shading of spruce trees gradually over two years.

This will enable the oak tree canopies to expand to their full magnitude and enable the trees to support the many species that could call these special titans home.

Twenty-five of the most suitable mature and veteran oaks in Lower Woods have been selected and the spruce around them will be felled to let in more daylight and remove the competition for water and nutrients.

Senior wildlife and farming manager, Tim Bevan said: “Many visitors to Lower Woods will have experienced the wonders of an ancient mixed deciduous woodland and the huge mix of wildlife it supports.

"The south of the woods is less well known; but it is here that support from the Ibstock Enovert Trust is being used to clear non-native trees; planted to meet the need for soft wood immediately post second world war.

"These plantation trees need to be carefully removed from around the native oaks still remaining so they can flourish once again and be seen in all their glory.”

Angela Haymonds of Ibstock Enovert Trust said: “Lower Woods Nature Reserve is a really special place and the Trustees of Ibstock Enovert Trust were delighted to be able to contribute a third grant to the site to ensure optimal conditions for these mighty oaks to thrive alongside the many species they support.”

The project will also extend the woodland rides in the south of Lower Woods.

These are grassy strips of land between the trees, and this work will improve access and open up areas to increase space and light around the oak trees, as well as benefitting ride-loving species like the white admiral butterfly.

The space provided by the removal of the spruce will also enable light to reach the woodland floor, encouraging plant growth and the natural regeneration of native tree species, which is vital for the future health of these special woodlands.

To volunteer to help this project, contact Donna Cavill on 01452 383333 or email info@gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk