PEOPLE in West Devon are being invited to nominate their favourite area of woodland for top honours in a county-wide competition. Run by the Devon County Show, the competition is a tribute to the importance of woodlands within the county?s landscape and rural economy. Chief steward of the show?s woodland section, John Hunt said: ?The thrust of this year?s new competition structure is that it recognises the huge diversity of both woodland structure and management objectives across Devon, and now provides an opportunity for woodland owners, organisations and communities to demonstrate the wide range of management skills that are evident throughout the county.? The South West?s climate and land use is particularly conducive to the growing of trees and hedgerows. Defra statistics show that trees cover almost one-tenth of the region?s total land area, which makes up around a fifth of England?s total. The area of woodland in the region has been steadily increasing since 1890, nearly doubling in the last 100 years. Woodlands from just 0.25 of a hectare are eligible for entry in the competition which promotes best practice in woodland management. Application forms are available from Lisa Moore, Devon County Show, telephone 01392 446000, email [email protected]">[email protected] The closing date for applications is Monday, January 16, 2006.
