This guide deals with the management of the semi-natural birchwoods of freely-drained soils in upland Britain. They are widely distributed in upland areas of all three countries but are especially common in Scotland, where birch accounts for nearly half of all broadleaved woodland. Birchwoods are typically found on the more acid infertile upland soils, over 250 m elevation.
Birches are dominant in the canopy and other species form a variable proportion according mainly to soil type and management history. On the poorer soils there are few associates: rowan, occasional holly and sessile oak and, locally, Scots pine. On more fertile sites rowan, oaks, aspen, ash, alder, goat willow, gean, bird cherry, hazel, juniper, hawthorn and blackthorn (sloe) can all be found.
