Information on forest operations at Trellech Common

Overview

Update 20/03/23

Forest thinning operations and reinstatement works in Trellech common have now been completed and all footpaths and trails are now open.

Please be aware there is still some timber around the site. Timber stacks can be dangerous so for your safety, please do not climb on them.

Update 23 January 2023

The thinning operations are now complete. However, haulage within the woodland is still live.

Foot paths into the woodland from the Narth via the metal kissing gate have now re-opened for public access, along with all the forest roads.

Please note, the footpaths from the main forest road across to Greenway Lane (routes to Trellech to the south of the wood) however, will remain closed until further notice, until repairs to the crossing points used by the harvesting machinery have been completed.

Please be aware that timber lorries and other machinery may still be present and, if encountered, please exercise caution and ensure that the driver has seen you before proceeding.

Overview 

Forest thinning operations have now started in the southern woodlands at Trellech common, to begin the first steps in helping to restore the forest back to Ancient Woodland.

The woodland is designated as a Plantation on Ancient Woodland Site (PAWS).

Some of the trees within the woodland are also infected with Dothistroma septosporum, a forestry disease more commonly known as Red Band Needle Blight (RBNB) which affects pine.  

The thinning operation will allow us to remove trees that are infected from the woodland to help slow the spread.

What work will take place?

• Areas of young trees within the woodland that have not been thinned previously, will have their initial thin, which will allow better access to crops while promoting stability within the coupe.
• Areas in the woodland where thinning has already occurred will be thinned further to create gaps in the tree canopy. This will help to increase light to the forest floor and increase diversity within the ground vegetation and promote natural regeneration.
• Areas of the woodland that contain stands of pine tree that have been infected with RBNB will have a heavy first thinning to increase air circulation within the tree crowns to help to rejuvenate the trees.

Map showing affected area at Trellech common

Why do we thin trees?

Once an area of trees has matured to a certain size, they begin to compete with one another for nutrients, water, and light.

Thinning the trees out helps to reduce this competition and allows us to remove unhealthy trees and those that are not growing well.

This is one of the most beneficial activities that can be done for a growing forest and is a vital part of the forest cycle.

Find out more about how we look after our forests:  Lifecycle of our Forests and Woodlands  

Woodland access

It is likely that we will have to close off public access to some areas of the woodland while the work takes place. Live harvesting sites are incredibly dangerous, and this is necessary to protect the safety of our staff, our contractors, and visitors to the woodland.

Please adhere to closures and diversion notices when they are in place.

Watch our video about staying safe in our forests