Forres Community Woodlands Trust contractor to fell timber at Sanquhar woods

A local environmental charity is warning that it is set to cut down mature trees in the popular wood it cares for.

Forres Community Woodlands Trust (FCWT) has permission from Scottish Forestry to fell two small areas of timber in the northeast and northwest areas of Sanquhar woods at Woodend and Mannachie Rise.

FCWT secretary, Gisela Macfarquhar, confirmed the work will maintain a clear border between the forest and neighbouring homes.

She explained: “Western Hemlock and Douglas Fir trees planted by the previous woodland owner for commercial reasons before Sanquhar estate was built are increasingly posing a risk to the properties. Storms uproot or damage trees, and the risk of wildfires is becoming an issue too.”

During storm Amy at the start of the month, a fence in Sanquhar was damaged when the top part of a tree broke off and fell into gardens, trees that fell across paths were removed by FCWT’s contractor, and Birch were blown down in the Newforres Wood.

“We have to be prepared for more unpredictable droughts and stormy weather,” said Gisela. “We must ensure that our neighbours and users of the woods are as safe as we can make it.”

Work will start in early December and last around three weeks. The cleared areas will be replanted with low-growing, broadleaf native trees - such as Rowan, Hazel, Crab Apple and Cherry - to form a safe barrier between the woods and housing whilst providing habitats for wildlife.

Some areas further back from the houses will be replanted with Oak.

“Oak is an iconic British tree which supports more wildlife than any other in this country,” said Gisela. “Abundant wildlife exists in our woods, with large numbers of squirrels, badgers and birds.

“Felling will take place outside the nesting and breeding season and our contractor will take great care to minimise any potential harm. Fortunately, our woods are big enough for any affected wildlife to disperse into other areas.”

Details of the forestry work will be provided before it begins, with diversions put in place, communicated through signage on affected paths.

FCWT’s board of trustees hold monthly meetings to discuss management and maintenance issues. Their AGM is taking place via Microsoft Teams on November 13.

Membership forms can be downloaded from www.forrescommunitywoodlands.org.

“We are always looking for new members,” finished Gisela. “No special skills are required.

“We are also looking for volunteers for our work parties which take place monthly on Saturday mornings. We carry out maintenance like digging up invasive Rhododendrons, planting trees, tidying up paths and maintaining bike jumps and tracks.”

“We keep paths and tracks clear, remove foreign species, plant native ones and look after the wildlife.”

For more information visit https://forrescommunitywoodlands.org/