Woodlands

by acting as responsible custodians of the countryside
by supporting an environmentally healthy and connected landscape
by understanding and reducing our negative contributions to climate change

Clinton Devon Estates’ 1,900 hectares of sustainable, managed, high quality multi-purpose woodlands deliver bio-diversity, recreational and landscape benefits alongside the production of timber.

Managed woodlands occupy 1,800 hectares, accounting for 17% of the Estate area in East and North Devon, comprising a rich mixture of both commercial conifers and native broadleaved species, which provide a wide range of habitats for many plants and animal species.

The Estates’ farmland and parkland holdings support significant numbers of mature broadleaf trees, many of which are veteran / ancient.

what we do and why

In recent years Clinton Devon Estates’ commitment to forest management has resulted in a level of woodland cover almost twice the national average – an achievement that has won international acclaim from the Forest Stewardship Council®.

Our Forests produce Forest Stewardship Council certified timber (FSC®- C018469), certification status under the Tilhill group scheme certification number SA-FM/COC-004552 G018.  Timber from the Douglas fir, spruce and larch is sold to manufacturers, sawmills and wood processing industries in the local, regional, national and international markets.

Woodchip from the Estates is used to create biomass fuel locally – saving hundreds of road miles in carbon emissions.

In East Devon, 90% of our woodlands have public access routes, offering many recreational benefits.

*Certificate number: FSC-C018469

 

deer management

Native roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and red deer (Cervus elaphus), and non-native species including sika (Cervus nippon), fallow (Dama dama) and Reeves’ muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi), have catastrophic consequences on the regeneration of native broadleaf woodland through their grazing activity when their populations remain unchecked by natural predators.

The responsible management of wild deer is an integral part of the overall management of the Estate’s woodlands, ensuring the welfare of deer stocks and protection of our Forest Stewardship CouncilTM certified woodland.

Estate policy on deer management is impact based, with numbers of roe deer only reduced sufficiently to allow woodland regeneration, whilst maintaining healthy deer populations.

clinton venison

Culled deer are processed into venison products made on Clinton Devon Estates.

Clinton Venison is produced from wild deer and is expertly and locally butchered in house to provide high quality, great tasting meat. It is supplied in a variety of cuts including fillet steaks, haunch roasting joints and casserole meat, sausages and burgers, all low in cholesterol and high in omega fatty acids and iron.

Watch our video:

estate to plate video

Interested in trying it for yourself? Please contact our Wildlife Ranger for the latest prices and availability. Local delivery available.

Tom Garner
email tom garner