Following our post in November 2017, thinning works have been carried out over the last 3 months in Sanquhar Woodlands and is near to completion. The thinning of the woodland is finished however, there is some remaining timber to be collected which will conclude any major work for the next few years.
For those who might not be aware of why we carry out these works, thinning brings a number of short-term and long-term benefits to the woodland. Most notably we have removed a large number of non-native species which include Sitka Spruce, Douglas-fir, Western Hemlock and European Larch, which will allow many of our native species, for example Scots Pine, room to grow over the coming years. It also helps to increase the amount of light coming through the canopy to the woodland understorey, field and ground layers, allowing habitat to develop and increase biodiversity over time. This will provide nesting and food opportunities for birds, supply food and micro habitats for butterflies and other invertebrates.
So far, we have secured approximately £19,000 for the timber thinned, which is a substantial boost to the Forres Community Woodland Trust’s funds. It will allow us to complete remedial work and to continue to manage the woodland for a few more years.
Those who have walked in the woods may have noticed unsightly damage in parts of the woodland as a result of the thinning and some have contacted us directly with their concerns. We would like to thank you very much for your feedback and it is really humbling to see how many people cherish and appreciate the Sanquhar Woodlands.
Trees were felled by a harvesting machine and the logs extracted but unfortunately, due to a long period of heavy rain prior to when the contractor was able to start the thinning, it has left the woodland in need of remedial work to tidy up some of the damage created. The mountain bike trails have been damaged in places and there is deep rutting on parts of the walking paths.
Repair works will soon commence on the walking paths and mountain bike trails in addition to work carried out by our monthly volunteer work parties. In regard to ground damage within the woodland, this will restore itself over time and also provide new habitat. We would like to thank our consultant foresters for their professional advice and the contractor for carrying out the work as sensitively as possible given the ground conditions and the equipment used. We would also like to thank you, the community, for adhering to the warning signs during the work period to allow the thinning to be completed safely.
The Forres Community Woodlands Trust is an entirely voluntary organisation with a committed team of volunteers, however we’re always in need of more help to protect and care for the woodland. You can help by joining as a member or helping out on volunteer work parties. For information on our next work party, please see our Facebook page.