Ostler's Plantation

Ostler's Plantation is a woodland on Kirkby Moor, east of Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire, England. It is not a conventional consumer brand or commercial product label, but a named plantation and public countryside site managed within the Forestry England estate. The woodland combines commercial forestry with recreation, nature conservation, and historic landscape interest. The plantation was established in the early nineteenth century by John Parkinson on what had previously been open moorland. Following Parkinson's bankruptcy in 1827, ownership passed to his former agent, William Ostler, whose name became associated with the site. Most of the woodland was acquired by the Forestry Commission in 1938, while the south-western corner was added in 1971. The plantation remains managed as a commercial woodland, with periodic harvesting and associated temporary restrictions in some areas. The whole site is generally open to the public throughout the year. Its recreational uses include walking, horse riding, cycling, organised mountain-biking events, and archery activities. The plantation lies beside the Kirkby Moor Nature Reserve and an area of Lowland Heath, although the adjoining reserves cannot be entered directly from the woodland; visitors must return to Kirkby Lane to reach them. Ostler's Plantation also contains traces of twentieth-century military history. During the Second World War, RAF Woodhall Spa was constructed immediately south of the woodland in 1942. Bomb dumps, aircraft aprons, and related buildings were built partly into the woodland edge. Although many structures have become overgrown or ruinous, their former locations remain visible in the form of tracks and remnants. The site is notable for its wildlife, particularly its population of adders. Other reptiles recorded in or around the woodland include grass snakes, slow worms, and common lizards. Several bat species are also associated with the area, including Natterer's, noctule, common and soprano pipistrelle, brown long-eared, whiskered, Daubenton's, and barbastelle bats. The woodland has additionally become a habitat for the introduced New Zealand plant Acaena novae-zelandiae, commonly known as piri-piri burr. The species is believed to have been brought to the area by New Zealand airmen during the Second World War, and control and removal work has been undertaken. Public safety has periodically attracted attention because of adder bites. In April 2009, a seven-year-old boy was bitten after handling an adder while walking in the woods. He received treatment at Lincoln County Hospital and recovered. The incident prompted renewed local debate about warning signs, snake management, and access to antivenom. Dogs have also reportedly been bitten in the area. Because adders are protected wildlife, the management challenge involves informing visitors and reducing risk without treating the snakes as pests.

Ostler's Plantation occupies woodland on Kirkby Moor, east of Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire. Before the plantation was created, the area was open moorland. John Parkinson planted the woodland in the early nineteenth century, establishing the landscape that later became known by the Ostler name. Parkinson became bankrupt in 1827, after which his former agent, William Ostler, acquired the property. The site's name therefore reflects a change in ownership rather than the identity of its original planter. The plantation entered public forestry administration during the twentieth century. The majority of the woodland was acquired by the Forestry Commission in 1938, and the south-western corner was incorporated in 1971. Forestry England now manages the site. Its continuing role is partly commercial: trees are periodically harvested, and some areas can be subject to temporary restrictions while forestry work is taking place. At the same time, the woodland is maintained as a public access site and is used for informal and organised outdoor activities. The plantation's surroundings acquired major military significance during the Second World War. RAF Woodhall Spa was built directly south of the woodland in 1942. Parts of the airfield's bomb-storage areas, aprons, and associated structures were placed into or along the woodland edge. Many of these installations no longer survive as functioning buildings, but tracks, earthworks, and overgrown ruins still provide evidence of the wartime development. The site is open to the public throughout the year in normal circumstances. Walking, horse riding, and cycling are established uses, while organised mountain-biking and archery events have also taken place. Ostler's Plantation adjoins the Kirkby Moor Nature Reserve and an open area of Lowland Heath. The reserves are not directly accessible from within the plantation, so visitors must return to Kirkby Lane before entering them. Wildlife is an important part of the site's identity. The plantation and nearby heath support adders, a protected native snake that has become particularly associated with the area. Grass snakes, slow worms, and common lizards are also recorded. The bat fauna includes Natterer's, noctule, common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle, brown long-eared, whiskered, Daubenton's, and barbastelle bats. The woodland also has a history of introduced species associated with wartime activity. Acaena novae-zelandiae, known as piri-piri burr, is believed to have been brought to the locality by New Zealand airmen during the Second World War. Because the plant is invasive, management efforts have sought to control and remove it. Adder encounters have generated periodic concern among visitors and local residents. On 18 April 2009, a seven-year-old boy was bitten after handling an adder. He was treated at Lincoln County Hospital and made a full recovery. The event led to renewed debate about whether additional warning signs were needed, how protected adders should be managed, and whether antivenom was sufficiently available. Reports of dogs being bitten have added to these concerns. The site's management therefore involves balancing public access and recreation with commercial forestry, habitat protection, invasive-species control, and visitor safety.

• 2009

  Adder bite highlights visitor-safety issues

  [1]Ostler's Plantationen.wikipedia.org

  A boy was bitten after handling an adder, prompting renewed discussion about warnings, protected-snake management, and treatment availability.

• 1971

  South-western corner added

  [1]Ostler's Plantationen.wikipedia.org

  The south-west corner of the woodland was added to the Forestry Commission holding.

• 1942

  RAF Woodhall Spa built beside the plantation

  [1]Ostler's Plantationen.wikipedia.org

  The wartime airfield was constructed immediately south of the woodland, with bomb dumps, aprons, and related installations built into or beside its edge.

• 1938

  Most of the woodland acquired by the Forestry Commission

  [1]Ostler's Plantationen.wikipedia.org

  The majority of Ostler's Plantation entered Forestry Commission ownership and management.

• 1827

  Ownership passes to William Ostler

  [1]Ostler's Plantationen.wikipedia.org

  After John Parkinson's bankruptcy, his former agent William Ostler became the plantation's owner, giving the site its enduring name.

• Plantation established on former moorland

  [1]Ostler's Plantationen.wikipedia.org

  John Parkinson planted the woodland in the early nineteenth century on an area of open moorland.

A publicly accessible Lincolnshire woodland combining commercial forestry, outdoor recreation, wildlife habitat, and remnants of Second World War infrastructure.

• Maintain dual commercial and public-access useStrategy

  Background

  The woodland remains a commercial plantation while also serving as a year-round public recreation site and wildlife habitat.

  Action taken

  Forestry England manages periodic harvesting alongside public access, recreational activities, and habitat-related management.

  Aftermath

  Some areas may be restricted temporarily during harvesting, but the site continues to support walking, horse riding, cycling, and organised events.

  Source

• Control invasive piri-piri burrStrategy

  Background

  Acaena novae-zelandiae became established in the woodland and is regarded as an invasive species.

  Action taken

  Management efforts have been directed toward controlling and removing the plant.

  Aftermath

  The species remains part of the site's ecological and wartime history, while control work seeks to limit its spread.

  Source

1. 1Ostler's Plantationen.wikipedia.org