About Bonny’s Wood

Bonny’s Wood is located in Clayton, West Sussex and is classified as an Ancient Semi Natural Woodland (ASNW) with a National Vegetation Classification: NVC 8.

It is home to ancient woodland native species such as oak trees with hazel, field maple, birch and ash coppice, together with a range of native woody shrubs, including hawthorn, wild crab apple, holly and honeysuckle. The ground flora consists of bluebells, wood anemones and many more herb species – indications of the ancient classification. The woodland has received praise for its range of preserved native species.

With approval from the Forestry Commission, a management plan has been drawn up, with the aim to bring the working woodland back to its traditional and historical method of management and sustainable production.

The plan of work includes restoring the derelict coppice-with-standards, improving and maintaining the tracks, clearings and entrance whilst managing and conserving the woodland on a self-financing basis. The long-term aim is to preserve the woodland for future generations whilst developing a sustainable and environmentally beneficial rural business, as has been the case for many years at Bonny’s Wood.

Conservation is key to the woodland progression and is linked with the production of firewood and biomass. Commercial and conservation management can benefit each other, with the re-coppicing works helping to develop new habitat layers throughout the woodland, also creating flyways and habitat corridors for many endangered invertebrates. The management of coppice greatly benefits the eco-system and improves bio-diversity in the woodland, complying with UK Bio-Diversity Action Plan (UK BAP).

All members of the Bonny’s Wood team have a great interest in the ecology of the woodlands, which is used daily throughout all aspects of the business, enabling our team to gain specialist knowledge from working in such a rich and fulfilling environment.

As Bonny’s Wood is a working woodland, there is no public access without the owner’s prior approval.

Our Founder

Matthew Stuart is an ISA Certified Arborist (Certification ID: UI-1298A), the owner of Bonny’s Wood and the founder of Bonny’s Wood Treecare.

Having over twenty years of experience in the tree industry, Matthew provides the business with the expertise, knowledge and practice to excel in any situation.