Ballogie’s Long Term Forest Plan Renewal 2023-2034
We are in the process of renewing our Long-Term Forest Plan and would like to invite your comments on our proposals.
The consultation period runs until 11th Jan 2023. **CONSULTATION PERIOD IS NOW CLOSED**
Aims:
- Economic Viability: Maintain a regular and positive income from the forest resource as a whole
- Quality: Produce sustainable and quality timber products.
- Resilience: Restructure and build woodland resilience to climate change through addressing skewed age class and diversifying species composition.
- Biodiversity: Maintain and enhance wildlife habitats
- Community: Maintain low key access throughout suitable areas of the estate woodlands.
- Training: Incorporate staff development and training programme
Objectives:
- Fulfil all legal and contractual obligations committed to within the plan period.
- Grow and regularly harvest quality woodland products.
- Manage the woodlands in accordance with the UK Woodland Assurance Scheme (UKWAS) and The UK Forestry Standard (UKFS)
- Address the skewed age-class of the commercial woodlands.
- Explore opportunities for new areas of planting.
- Diversify the species composition slightly away from Scots Pine dominance.
- Explore different CCF/LISS management options to restructure woodlands where NR has been traditionally practiced but not had productive results. Alongside Clear-felling and restocking where appropriate.
- Maintain native pinewood areas. Continue NR in Lamahip.
- Continue NR in Scots pine compartments where NR has had success.
- Maintain character of landscape retention smaller woodlands.
- Deer control – improve deer lawns and forest tracks, renew our fencing strategy, initiate a bracken management plan.
- Fire control- Update fire control plans, Cooperation with Birse Parish Deer Management Group, create and/or revive firebreaks in woodland.
- Explore opportunities in biosecurity and climate mitigation e.g tree nursery.
