This week on our outdoor education trip out, the theme was 'Old and New'.

We travelled out to Hope Woodland Forest to explore the deepest depths of the Forestry Commission woodland renewal project on Snake Pass.

Hope Woodland - Old & New

 

 

Firstly we walked out through the old parts of the forest which had absolutely huge trees that had been growing for years. In this part we also saw that there was some felling of Larch trees to prevent the spread of a disease that is killing trees in this area.

After crossing many wooden bridges and finally one that crossed the river Ashop we moved into the 'new'. This was a replanted area of trees that we had to find a path through at different parts! These trees were between 3 - 5 years old and are now replacing an area of previously deforested land to keep the forest healthy and rejuvenated.

Once through the new plantation it seemed like we had walked into the apocalypse!! Here we entered an area that had just been newly deforested. All the trees had been cut down and the trunks stripped and stacked ready for removal. This provoked a lot of discussion on how they had been cut and what the trunks may be used for while we were having a rest on them!

Overall, this was a great day out exploring the countryside and how the forestry commission are protecting and preserving our forests.