Impact assessments

See the pressure clearly. Plan the next step with confidence.

Hartland’s deer and grey squirrel impact assessments give land managers a practical evidence base for woodland decisions, from baseline condition recording to follow-up monitoring.

Request an assessment

Woodland fieldworker recording habitat condition — Evidence gathered on site helps guide proportionate action.

A clear picture before action.

Wildlife impacts can be easy to underestimate when they build gradually. Our assessments record the condition of trees, regeneration and habitats, helping you understand where browsing and bark damage are affecting woodland resilience, future timber quality and long-term value.

What we assess

Deer and grey squirrel impacts, recorded on the ground.

Deer browsing pressure

We look for browsing on young trees, shrubs and ground flora, alongside the condition and distribution of natural regeneration.

Grey squirrel bark damage

We record bark stripping and ring barking on vulnerable trees, noting the potential for decay, limb loss and reduced tree quality.

Woodland condition

We consider tree species, structure, habitat features and areas of concern to place wildlife pressure in its wider woodland context.

Evidence on the ground

Damage patterns help shape the assessment.

Photographs and field observations help record the extent and distribution of grey squirrel damage alongside woodland condition. This evidence supports a clearer baseline for monitoring change and considering further control where appropriate.

Woodland evidence of grey squirrel damage recorded during an impact assessment — Recording damage in context helps turn observations into practical priorities.

Woodland inspection taking place during a habitat impact assessment — A structured woodland inspection records the evidence needed to guide practical next steps.

Inspection in woodland

A closer look at woodland condition.

Walking the site helps identify the condition of trees, regeneration and habitat, alongside signs of deer or grey squirrel activity. This on-the-ground evidence helps ensure recommendations are proportionate to the woodland and its management objectives.

Exclusion plot showing dense vegetation regrowth inside the fenced enclosure compared with heavily browsed ground outside — An exclusion plot provides direct visual evidence of browsing pressure — the contrast between vegetation inside and outside the fence helps quantify the impact of deer or other herbivores on natural regeneration.

Our approach

Baseline, priorities and monitoring.

Record the baseline

We survey the site and document current damage, regeneration and habitat condition so future change can be measured against a clear starting point.

Identify practical priorities

Findings are translated into proportionate priorities for management, protection and further control, based on the evidence from your woodland.

Monitor outcomes

Follow-up assessment helps show whether pressure is reducing and whether trees, regeneration and habitat are responding over time.

Grant-aligned support

Evidence that can support grant-aligned planning.

Where appropriate, our impact assessments and further control work can be planned in line with the requirements of the England Woodland Creation Offer WS1 and WS3 grant options. Grant rules, eligibility and available funding can change, so we help you understand how assessment evidence may support your wider planning without guaranteeing an award.

Impact assessment enquiry

Discuss an impact assessment for your woodland.

Tell us about your site, the damage you are seeing and the outcomes you want to protect.