CCFG visit to Forest of Dean. We will be hosted by James Williams, the Forest of Dean Forester responsible for the areas visited. The day will be spent looking at a number of stands of Douglas fir being managed under various continuous cover systems and some underplanting of Corsican pine. Particular subjects for interest will be: changing contractor mindsets, dealing with deer and wild boar, and excessive Western hemlock regeneration. This day will be the opportunity for discussion on a wide range of sites managed under CCF in parts of one of England’s largest and oldest state forests.

We will meet at Beechenhurst, where there is a café and toilets. We’ll assemble by the café building and then drive in convoy in the least number of vehicles possible to the first site. Please note that there may be a charge for parking (TBC). Also, the postcode may take you to the Speech House Hotel. The what3words reference for the site is enchanted.groomed.sharper and the grid reference is SO614120. 

Please meet us at 9.30, ready to leave at 10.00. We will probably finish around 15.30-16.00. 

Please ensure you bring wet weather clothing suitable for the time of year, and a packed lunch/ drinks for the day. 

CCFG members last had a formal visit to Kielder in 2004 and a lot has happened since then in England’s largest forest This visit will be hosted by James Clark the forester responsible for all CCF and thinning operations in Kielder. We will be visiting a number of sites in the North Tyne valley where recent thinning has taken place for both visual reasons and to encourage natural regeneration. We will also be able to discuss the impacts of storm Arwen in 2021 on many of the previous areas where CCF management was being undertaken within the valley.

Meeting place: Kielder castle : Post code NE48 1ER (car park and toilet available here before the visit and at lunch time).

Meeting time: 09.30 (depart at 10.00 prompt in shared vehicles)

Expected finish 15.30-16.00

Lunch: Bring your own food and drink

Suitable all weather clothing and PPE (High vis top and helmet) essential (and the famous Kielder midge may still be joining us!)

If you have booked a place and later find you are unable to attend please contact Polly (administrator@ccfg.org.uk) in case someone else is able to fill your place. 

To book your place, please use this link 

CCFG Event

Date: Thursday 26th May 2022
Location: Cranborne & Crichel Down Estates, East Dorset
Meeting Time: 09.15 for 09.45 start


Description:

Growth responses to interventions during the transition of Douglas fir and oak plantations to irregular structures.

A major gap in our knowledge relating to the transition of even-aged stands to permanently irregular structures is the lack of stand/ yield models. This meeting will consider this issue in light of increment and growing stock information in a number of Douglas fir stands in various stages of transformation and will also consider the growth response of oak plantations subject to innovative thinning regimes. 

We advise you to bring a packed lunch and clothing to suit any weather we may encounter.

Spaces are limited to 40 people so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Bookings:  
Contact: If you have any queries please contact: administrator@ccfg.org.uk