The woodland Management Plan outlines short and long term maintenance and enhancement to preserve this public space and increase its bio-diversity. For centuries this 57 hectare (147 acre) woodland provided Sanderstead Parish with timber and wood products, nuts and herbs, clay, flint and chalk. The wood survived while surrounding areas became built on. It is now owned and managed by the London Borough of Croydon.
The ancient management technique of coppicing has been reintroduced to encourage a greater variety of plants, insects and birds. There are areas of the wood which have been coppiced to open up the Wood floor and encourage new growth. Other groups, including The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) come several times a year to work on coppicing in King's Wood.
Newly coppiced panel
The main paths are kept open. Trees like ash, hazel and sweet chestnut can be cut to ground level where they will regrow, providing straight poles for fencing, tool handles and stakes.
We planted Spindle trees in 2004 and 2019, Hornbeam in 2004 and 2015. An attempt was made to plant Norwegian Spruce seedlings from King's Wood seed but sadly these didn't survive. Box trees have been planted and one small specimen is growing. Oak trees were planted some years ago with the supervision of the Croydon Council forester.
A Wild Service tree was planted to celebrate the King's coronation in 2023
Wild Service tree planted to commemorate
King Charles III's coronation
