The harvester will continue to fell larch trees in zone 1 until Monday 14th Feb. It will then move into Zone 2 on Monday 14th or Tuesday 15th February.
The felling operation will be ongoing on Sunday 13th February.
RTS will reset the barriers and signs before the harvester moves into Zone 2.
Please keep an eye on the signs at the entrances to the woods to check which Zone is being worked in.
The Forwarder.
The forwarder will move onto site on Monday 14th Feb and commence moving the felled timber from Zone 1 to the stacking area near the walled garden.
The forwarder, when on site, will utilise the existing track from the Gillies Hill entrance towards the Walled Gardens.
To separate walkers from the machine, a new alternate footpath is to be formed to the South of the existing path. The route of the proposed alternate path is however currently covered in felled larch.
The first job of the forwarder when on site will be to clear the route for the alternate path. In the interim please avoid this area if you can. It is appreciated that this may have caused some inconvenience. Hopefully the alternate route will be available shortly. Signs will be installed once the alternate route is available.
A further update will be provided next Thursday 17th February.
Please avoid the zone where the harvester is operating. Paths in the zone will be closed off. Please follow all guidance and banksmen instructions to ensure your safety.
DO NOT APPROACH THE MACHINES
Paths in zone 1 will be opened up as the forwarder clears the cut logs. Please keep clear of the forwarder when it is working.
For background information about why the larch is to be removed in this area, the Scottish Plant Health Notice, SPHN and outline plans, please visit previous updates from this page: ccdt.org.uk/sphn-larch removal
Measures to Protect the Squirrel Population
Measures undertaken to protect the squirrels are outlined in the blog on the CCDT website of 6th January Squirrel Dreys & Bird Boxes Blog – CCDT
The felling zones have been rearranged and the order of felling changed to give the squirrels an easier route away from any felling.
The 10 ten squirrel feed boxes have been installed by volunteers to the south of the felling area. See Squirrel Feeder Boxes in the Woodland – CCDT
Do send any pictures you manage to take of a red squirrel at the feeders to the email address below.
If you have any queries, comments or concerns or about the work being carried out, please email woodland@ccdt.org.uk
Blog written by Jim O’Connor