Tree thinning should shed a bit of light

HOUSES in Forres could be ‘seeing the light’ after Moray Council announced a decision to start felling trees in some local woodlands.

Woodlands near Forres are to be thinned

The conifer trees in the north-east corner of Clunyhill Woods will be cut back over the next two to three weeks.

Consultation has taken place with the Forres Community Woodland Trust and residents of Drumduan Park whose homes will benefit from increased light as a result of the felling.

A Moray Council spokesman said: “The conifers have reached a height and density where it is good practice to carry out thinning.”

All felling will be done by hand and every effort will be made to minimise inconvenience to woodland walkers.

Work is also being carried out over the next two to three weeks to remove beech trees from an area of the Quarrelwood on the outskirts of Elgin.

It is part of an ongoing programme to promote the growth of oak in the woodland, which is popular with walkers.

Similar work carried out three years ago has led to a recovery in the growth of oak trees, which are light sensitive and have become crowded out by beech over the years.

The latest thinning of beech will take place in an area to the north of Brumley Brae and has been approved by the Forestry Commission and Scottish Natural Heritage