Protecting trees from mammal damage

The risk of damage to trees from larger animals is arguably growing, adding to the wider challenges of successful tree management, but landscapers can take practical steps to mitigate it.

Forestry Commission, the non-ministerial government department which looks to increase the value of woodlands to society and the environment, has published wide-ranging technical guidance on the issue.

The guidance provides tips on how to identify mammal damage to trees and understand the impact of this damage and details practical ways to protect trees, including:

• managing mammal populations
• physical barriers and deterrents
• woodland management techniques to improve tree resilience

It also provides information on 23 mammal species which can affect trees and biodiversity in England, covering their positive and negative impacts and specific tree protection measures for each.