SWL hosts forest visit for school pupils
Scottish Woodlands’ Alnwick team recently hosted a site visit for school children at a harvesting site in Northumberland.
The children, from Swarland Primary School, made the short walk from their school up to Swarland Wood, which is midway between Alnwick and Morpeth, just off the A1, and managed by Forestry England.
The children were able to see the different machines involved in harvesting operations, including the harvester, which cuts down the trees - and the forwarder, which moves them and stacks them in a timber pile at the roadside ready for transportation.
Michael Hall, Scottish Woodlands' Director for South-East Scotland, England & Wales, said: "Our staff talked to the children about the working of the site and the range of products being cut - and how they are turned into everyday items the children will come across in their lives. Sawlogs will be converted principally into fencing and general building materials, shorter smaller diameter logs into pallets and chipwood material, the treetops and bends, into chipboard for use in building and kitchen units etc.”
He added: "It was great to make the connection between the forest and their everyday lives and the children really got it."
The operation is part of the continuing clear-up after Storm Arwen in November 2021. Forestry England has liaised closely with the local community and taken the opportunity to involve Swarland Primary School throughout the planning, implementation and subsequent restocking process following the damage to Swarland Wood from Storm Arwen.
Mr Hall concluded: "Scottish Woodlands were extremely happy to be asked to get involved and to engage with schoolchildren to explain the full benefits of a commercial forest. It is vital to do this to help future generations understand how the forestry and wood industry works, its relevance to their own lives - and its environmental and economic importance."