Essential tree felling at Shining Cliff Woods
Tree felling will start in September at Forestry England’s Shining Cliff Woods, near Cromford. Some trees in the woodland are infected by the disease Phytophthora ramorum (P.ramorum) and a Statutory Plant Health Notice (SPHN) from the Forestry Commission means they have to remove the larch and sweet chestnut trees.
A Statutory Plant Health Notice is a formal notice issued to manage and control the spread of serious plant diseases. As a notifiable disease the land managers of trees with P.ramorum have a legal obligation to remove the trees to reduce the spread of the disease. P.ramorum is a fungus-like organism first discovered in the UK in 2002. It causes disease on trees, shrubs and plants in woodland, heathland, gardens and nurseries. Infection happens when spores are dispersed in moisture, including moist air currents so it’s essential that affected trees are removed to prevent more spores being produced.
Tree felling is expected to take about 3 months, and has been approved by the Forestry Commission and Natural England. The work will be planned and managed by Forestry England and will happen when there will be the least impact on wildlife. The timber will be sold and removed from the site by December supplying the demand for homegrown timber to become things including building materials, woodchip and furniture. The work will be done by highly professional contractors, using machinery and working safely, efficiently and sensitively.
Chris Bray, Forester for the Peak District Beat at Forestry England said: “Shining Cliff Wood is a plantation on ancient woodland site, also known as PAWS, which means it is ancient woodland that was planted with conifers or other non-native trees. This happened often in the 20th century as part of efforts to rebuild timber supplies after wartime deforestation. This felling work allows us to combat the spread of tree disease and helps us fulfil our long-term commitment to restoring PAWS under our management back to broadleaf woodland.”
“Once the diseased trees have been felled and removed, the area will be left to naturally regenerate from native tree seeds already there, under our close supervision. We know felling trees can worry some people, so it’s good to remember the bigger picture is a really positive one. And the work builds on what we have already done to keep restoring this site which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)”.
This woodland, popular with walkers, will remain open to visitors throughout the works, but people must follow all our signs for their safety and use any diversions that we need to be put in place during the forestry operations.