Slow but steady – and safely - for forest clear up
Forestry and Land Scotland’s (FLS) post-Arwen clear-up work has seen the re-opening of the carpark at Bennachie Visitor Centre but the FLS team in the area is warning that other woodlands will take longer to re-open.
Members of the public are being specifically advised to check the FLS website before visiting because access to Glenn Doll, Tentsmuir and the woodlands around Aberdeen is limited.
Justin Livesey, FLS Area Visitor Services Manager, said;
“Clearing windblow is a dangerous and difficult job and needs to be planned meticulously.
“The satellite imagery that we received from Scottish Forestry has given us a very good understanding of the main areas we need to focus on but we need to obtain more detailed aerial imagery in order to properly plan the clear up work.
“It is a long and slow process – and it needs to be because it carries significant risk. There can be huge tension and forces both in individual trees as well as in jammed stems and root plates that need to be assessed by trained professionals before any clearance work can begin.
“We are therefore asking members of the public to help us by continuing to avoid affected forests. As well as giving our teams the space to work, it will help avoid any accidents and minimise health and safety concerns.”
Felled trees, hanging trees and even trees that are still standing can all be unstable after a major storm. Trees can roll, pivot, slide or fall at the slightest disturbance.
Unstable trees, parts of trees, root plates and stones can suddenly topple, tip over, fall or roll away without any visible reason even days, weeks or months after a storm.
Up-to-date information on FLS forests and access can be found online.
Notes to editors
- Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) manages forests and land owned by Scottish Ministers in a way that supports and enables economically sustainable forestry; conserves and enhances the environment; delivers benefits for people and nature; and supports Scottish Ministers in their stewardship of Scotland's national forests and land.
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Media enquiries to Paul Munro, Media Manager, Forestry and Land Scotland Media Office 07785 527590 or paul.munro@forestryandland.gov.scot