It’s been a busy time at Howes Wood, where our team of volunteers have been hard at work creating a brighter future for red squirrels and native wildlife. Over just two days, a digger carefully cleared away the dense tangle of brash left behind from the felled conifers, an incredible effort that has opened up the woodland floor and allowed light to flood in once more.
Digger Moving Large Pile of Branches Caption: Branch by branch, the old conifer brash is cleared away — one more step towards a healthier, more diverse woodland ecosystem.
Teamwork in action! Volunteers and machinery working together to restore Howes Wood and
create a brighter future for red squirrels.
Our trusty digger making short work of the brash — clearing space for new growth and better
habitats for red squirrels and native wildlife.
This marks an exciting new phase in our woodland restoration. Once the rains arrive and the soil is ready, we’ll begin planting our new coppice. This will be primarily hazel, with a mix of other species such as hawthorn and field maple. These native trees and shrubs will provide food, cover, and nesting opportunities for red squirrels and other woodland wildlife for generations to come.
Importantly, the broadleaf standard trees already standing strong will remain, helping to form the backbone of a rich and diverse woodland habitat.
But that’s not all! Among the buzz of clearing and planning, Steve, one of our newest volunteers has been getting creative. Using a large leftover chunk of wood, he has beautifully carved a mushroom sculpture which stand about 18 to 20 inches high. It is a charming touch of woodland art that fits perfectly into any natural surroundings. It might even join our popular squirrel products for sale in future. In fact, we’re hoping to persuade him to make a few more!
Our talented volunteer carved this beautiful wooden mushroom from a leftover tree trunk — a
perfect symbol of creativity growing from conservation! Could it soon join our popular squirrel sculptures
for sale?
An alternate view of the mushroom carved by our new volunteer; Steve. This was created from a piece of leftover tree trunk — a
perfect symbol of creativity growing from conservation!
We’ve also discovered some artistically shaped pieces of western red cedar, which might soon find new life as part of our conservation fundraising efforts or creative projects – please do drop us an email if you are interested in discussing these.
Nature’s own design! This unique cross-section of cedar shows the beautiful grain patterns
and character of the trees we’re carefully managing at Howes Wood.
The western red cedar revealed some stunning natural shapes once cut — each piece a work
of art in its own right and full of potential for future projects.
Every stage of this work — from clearing to carving — brings us closer to our goal of restoring healthy, thriving habitats for red squirrels and the many other species that share their woodland home.
Every bit of support makes a real difference — whether it’s time, energy, or a small donation. Together, we can keep the Isle of Wight a safe haven for red squirrels.
🐾 Donate here: https://iowredsquirreltrust.co.uk/donate
🌳💚 Thank you to absolutely everyone who’s helping make this transformation possible!