Forestry Commission - News - tree-mendous fellas take a bow

Lumberjacks in the North York Moors are gearing up to show how one of the region’s most vibrant woods is being managed with an eye on the future.

Wykeham Forest, near Scarborough, produces 5,000 tonnes of timber annually, and the cycle of felling and planting is being used to sculpt a more natural looking landscape and one which helps protect wildlife like birds and bats.

To show how it's done, the Forestry Commission is staging working forest visits in the 1100-hectare (2600-acre) wood on 30 July and 6 August.

Huge Ł250,000 harvesters will swing into action, felling, stripping and cutting trees in just a few seconds, while people enjoy a grandstand view. But places are limited and you will need to book to take part on 01751 472771.

Recreation Manager, Katie Thorn, said:

”When Wykeham was first planted in the 1920s a forester’s lot was a back-breaking one, relying on muscle, axes and cross-saws. These days a modern harvester can fell 250 tonnes of timber in a day using its computer controlled cutting head, while the operator enjoys cabin comforts like CD player and air conditioning. Seeing these machines in action is pretty awesome and its become one of our most popular events.”

The Forestry Commission produces 100,000 tonnes of timber annually in the North York Moors - 40 per cent of all the wood grown in Yorkshire and the Humber. At Wykeham a new management approach is being piloted called “continuous cover”, where timber is felled selectively through thinning operations, rather than by felling large areas. This preserves tree cover and forest chiefs are keen to assess the impact this has on biodiversity and natural regeneration of tees.

People will be ferried to the harvesting site by mini-bus. Tours take place at 10am and 12.30pm. The cost is Ł5 per person, meeting at Highwood Brow car park, Wykeham Forest. For more information log on to the Forestry Commission’s new website for the region at www.forestry.gov.uk/YorkshireandtheHumber, or call 01751 472771.

Note to editor

North York Moors timber is used for pallets and home interiors, but there’s a growing demand from the wood-fuel market. Regular consignments are being shipped to the big wood chip fuelled power station at Wilton on Teesside. To make up for those felled, 400,000 trees were planted across the Forestry Commission’s 56,000-acres of woodland in the region last year.
The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible in England for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woods and forests and increasing their value to society and the environment. Forestry makes a real contribution to sustainable development, providing social and environmental benefits arising from planting and managing attractive, as well as productive, woodlands. Further information can be found at www.forestry.gov.uk

Media calls to Richard Darn on 0113 341 3178. Mobile 0775 367 0038.

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE FORESTRY COMMISSION BY RICHARD DARN, GNN, TEL: 0113 341 3178