Church Wood - West Pontnewydd
Sycamore (Acer pseudo-platanus)
During the last week of September, 2006 a tree thinning exercise, a necessary and important part of woodland management, was carried out in Church Wood, an ancient woodland near the Holy Trinity church, West Pontnewydd.
Approximately 24 Sycamore trees, average age 70 years, were felled by Jonathan Howells (Torfaen County Borough Council, Countryside Warden) , and a group of `Woodland Volunteers`.
The Sycamore is an evasive species and it was decided to thin them out and replace with Hazel, to augment other tree species of Ash and Oak.
The Council decided to utilise a professional horse logging team, instead of using a tractor to remove the felled trees; the reasons were :-
Less environmental impact on the woodland.
Zero Co2 emissions released to the atmosphere.
Comparative cost.
- The timber was subsequently purchased by a sawmill -
.. Click on your photograph of choice to enlarge ..
`Ella` (Grey) an 18yr old Percheron mare and `Dot ` (skewbald)Welsh Cob cross mare, patiently await their task for the day.
` Men at work`
Doug Joiner and `Dot` remove the felled Sycamore.
`Dot` takes a well earned break.
Felled trees await collection.
After a hard days toil , everyone deserves a place to rest ...
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