Planned Timber Harvesting Operations

Am Beannaidh (Refer to map for details)
January- March 2021

Operations will involve:
o Removing some areas of trees to enable the forest to regenerate naturally
o Thinning (removal of individual trees) to give the remaining trees room to grow
o Removing some of the non-native tree species

This is part of our approved Long-term Forest Plan to manage the woodland sustainably and will improve the habitat for many species, including ground nesting birds. Some trees and all branches are left to provide deadwood for insects and fungi which in turn will provide food for other wildlife. Removing old trees that are not growing vigorously opens-up space for a new generation of young trees that will absorb more carbon from the atmosphere than their aging parents and which, in another 40 years’ time will start to yield regular supplies of timber when they are thinned out. The trees removed in this period of felling are being sent to sawmills to be turned into fencing and construction wood. Logs that are too bent or have too many branch knots are chipped up to be used as fuelwood for a Speyside whisky distillery. Tree regeneration of this area will be from seed blowing in from the surrounding mature trees; a mixture of birch, alder and Scots pine. Deer and other browsing animals will be kept off the area to let the young trees grow.

The work has been planned with NatureScot, to minimise impact on the wildlife and visitors, particularly as this area lies within a Special Area of Conservation, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is within the Cairngorms National Park.

Work will not usually take place at weekends but will continue in the evening in the sections close to the path to allow these trees to be harvested with minimal disruption to visitors.

At times, it will be necessary for machinery and lorries to cross and operate on or close to the path. If you can use alternative routes during this period it would help us operate more safely. If you feel you have to use a path close to a timber machine, please be patient and do not approach until the driver signals that they have seen you. We take our duty of care to you seriously.

We recognise this will cause disruption for those who enjoy our paths but this will be relatively short term and we thank you for being understanding during this time.

Gordon Cumming, Countryside Manager
rangers@rothie.net