The cutting down of trees in a beautiful area is often a contentious issue. At Dove Stone, many of the old coniferous plantations (mostly Pine and Larch) are well past maintenance and require removing. This has already commenced in some areas including behind Binn Green (see before and after photos below) and will continue also through the plantation that is above Yeoman Hey reservoir in the next few years. This partly commercial operation will not leave an empty landscape but will be replanted with a mix of deciduous trees which will encourage wildlife and eventually enhance the area.
The only original mixed plantation at present is at Chew Piece but even here many of the old trees are not in good condition.
Throughout the area, many bare parts of the valleys and hillsides have been planted with hundreds of whips (tree seedlings) which will no doubt provide much woodland in the future.
Interior of a coniferous plantation. The lower branches of the trees are dead, it’s impenetrable and nothing grows on the ground. Compared with a deciduous plantation which allows plenty of light to shine through and encourages wildlife of many kinds.
There are two formal charity organisations that allow the public to plant trees in commemoration or celebration of a life or special event. Life for a Life (click on 1990s tag) already has two plots well established near Chew Piece plantation but are full for future plantings. They are accepting planting in Chew Piece itself but check first because the area is not suitable for people with mobility issues
The RSPB has also initiated a memorial plantation named as Celebration Wood above the top end of Dove Stone reservoir. Click on TODAY tag and contact RSPB for more details.
This area has since been planted with hundreds of deciduous seedlings
The video shows two machines working together. The cutting machine is guided by the driver using a computer in the cab which can measure the length of logs required. The tree is felled and whatever surplus is removed, then the branches are stripped and finally, the trees cut into regularly sized logs. The other machine picks up the logs and places them on an extraction vehicle which takes the logs to the roadside for loading onto a wagon.
Apologies for the wobbly picture at times – it is only a personal record and was never meant for a website.
