Storm Arwen clean up continues.

Back in November 2021, north Northumberland was battered by Storm Arwen, the worst storm for 40 years. Like many places in the area, Chillingham suffered a huge loss of trees. Clearing them up, and the associated necessary tree felling, was never going to be a quick job but we did think we might be finished in two years, but no.

A combination of poor markets, busy contractors, slow regulation and appalling weather means that we are still at it. If you visit this summer, you will likely see harvesting machinery in action. We have a large harvesting machine, winch and forwarder on site. The last of the Douglas Fir, depicted, will have gone but they will be working in another windblown area.

Next winter, the cleared areas will be replanted. This will be done mostly with native broadleaves and should be supplemented with self seeded trees. These will mostly be Silver Birch, which regenerate profusely.