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Click here tGood morning,
I am writing to let you know that we will soon start forestry operations in parts of Otterhead woods.
We expect to start working around 9th July for several weeks, starting on the eastern side of the woodlands first. The public rights of ways will stay open. Work will commence during weekdays 8am to 5pm with no work during the weekend.
I wanted to let you know about what is happening in these parts of the woodland.
We are thinning across a large area of the woodlands. This means removing selective trees for timber products. This gives the remaining trees more light and space to grow to their full potential. It also lets more light onto the forest floor which helps the flora. This is part of our long-term sustainable management of Otterhead. There is more information about this work on our website at https://www.forestryengland.uk/forests-lifecycle
For certain parts of Otterhead, we are legally required to conduct clear-felling because areas of the forest are suffering from Phytophthora Ramorum, a destructive tree disease which is affecting many of the nation’s larch trees. Phytophthora Ramorum is harmless to people and animals, but highly infectious and harmful to trees and some other plant species.
In addition to this, we are hoping to thin our seed orchard to try and increase longevity and re-invigorate seed production.
Some areas will be closed completely whilst operations are on site. Please follow all signs and instructions at all times. These are for your safety, whether or not you can see or hear us working. This will help us to finish working as quickly as possible.
Forestry work is very hazardous. A falling tree can weigh several tonnes and hit the ground at nearly 60mph. If a harvesting machine chainsaw snaps, it can fly through the forest like a bullet.
Before we start any forestry work, we conduct thorough ecological surveys to check for species such as birds, mammals, rodents, invertebrates, flora, and fungi. We consider these findings against complex factors including tree health, how the ground slopes, soil condition, and likely rainfall when planning work that will support our long-term management plan. Our working windows are dictated by site ground conditions too, so most of the Blackdown Hills work is preferred in the summer to minimise soil damage. There is not a single, perfect time of year for forestry work.
Thinning woodland will improve habitat for nesting birds but also wider ecological improvements in terms of biodiversity. We will retain any trees with nests. Presence of schedule one species will be checked prior to commencement and operations stopped if necessary. There is more information about this work on our website at https://www.forestryengland.uk/blog/tree-felling-in-nesting-season
We understand that residents may not be familiar with sustainable forest management, and we are keen to explain how this planned work supports the long-term health and resilience of the forest. Our climate is changing, bringing new threats to our trees, and we need to build resilience within our forests. With this in mind, we are already planning how we will restock the area with a diverse range of tree species that will thrive in the climate conditions we expect in 2050 and beyond.
You can read our full forest plan for Otterford online at https://www.forestryengland.uk/forest-planning/blackdown-hills-forest-plan
I have attached a map to explain where we will be working. In areas highlighted yellow we will be conducting routine thinning to maintain the health and quality of the trees. In areas highlighted pink will be clear-felling exposed unthinned Western Hemlock stands and infected Larch, due to a Statutory Plant Health Notice.
I would be grateful if you would be able to share this information through your news channels or email distributions.
If you have any questions or have queries from local residents, please refer them to westengland@forestryenglanduk.
Kind regards,
Chris.Chris Goode
Community Ranger
East Devon and Blackdown Hills
Forestry Englando edit.
I am writing to let you know that we will soon start forestry operations in parts of Otterhead woods.
We expect to start working around 9th July for several weeks, starting on the eastern side of the woodlands first. The public rights of ways will stay open. Work will commence during weekdays 8am to 5pm with no work during the weekend.
I wanted to let you know about what is happening in these parts of the woodland.
We are thinning across a large area of the woodlands. This means removing selective trees for timber products. This gives the remaining trees more light and space to grow to their full potential. It also lets more light onto the forest floor which helps the flora. This is part of our long-term sustainable management of Otterhead. There is more information about this work on our website at https://www.forestryengland.uk/forests-lifecycle
For certain parts of Otterhead, we are legally required to conduct clear-felling because areas of the forest are suffering from Phytophthora Ramorum, a destructive tree disease which is affecting many of the nation’s larch trees. Phytophthora Ramorum is harmless to people and animals, but highly infectious and harmful to trees and some other plant species.
In addition to this, we are hoping to thin our seed orchard to try and increase longevity and re-invigorate seed production.
Some areas will be closed completely whilst operations are on site. Please follow all signs and instructions at all times. These are for your safety, whether or not you can see or hear us working. This will help us to finish working as quickly as possible.
Forestry work is very hazardous. A falling tree can weigh several tonnes and hit the ground at nearly 60mph. If a harvesting machine chainsaw snaps, it can fly through the forest like a bullet.
Before we start any forestry work, we conduct thorough ecological surveys to check for species such as birds, mammals, rodents, invertebrates, flora, and fungi. We consider these findings against complex factors including tree health, how the ground slopes, soil condition, and likely rainfall when planning work that will support our long-term management plan. Our working windows are dictated by site ground conditions too, so most of the Blackdown Hills work is preferred in the summer to minimise soil damage. There is not a single, perfect time of year for forestry work.
Thinning woodland will improve habitat for nesting birds but also wider ecological improvements in terms of biodiversity. We will retain any trees with nests. Presence of schedule one species will be checked prior to commencement and operations stopped if necessary. There is more information about this work on our website at https://www.forestryengland.uk/blog/tree-felling-in-nesting-season
We understand that residents may not be familiar with sustainable forest management, and we are keen to explain how this planned work supports the long-term health and resilience of the forest. Our climate is changing, bringing new threats to our trees, and we need to build resilience within our forests. With this in mind, we are already planning how we will restock the area with a diverse range of tree species that will thrive in the climate conditions we expect in 2050 and beyond.
You can read our full forest plan for Otterford online at https://www.forestryengland.uk/forest-planning/blackdown-hills-forest-plan
I have attached a map to explain where we will be working. In areas highlighted yellow we will be conducting routine thinning to maintain the health and quality of the trees. In areas highlighted pink will be clear-felling exposed unthinned Western Hemlock stands and infected Larch, due to a Statutory Plant Health Notice.
I would be grateful if you would be able to share this information through your news channels or email distributions.
If you have any questions or have queries from local residents, please refer them to westengland@forestryenglanduk.
Kind regards,
Chris.Chris Goode
Community Ranger
East Devon and Blackdown Hills
Forestry Englando edit.