As you know, on 28th December, Storm Gerrit hit the southern part of Loch Ness and Loch Oich to Laggan with unusual intensity causing a considerable amount of damage and the Convent Wood did not escape the devastation. Approximately 26 mature and well-established trees were lost in the wood, some blown right over, some loosing branches, large and small. The force of the wind was so strong as to break off the top third of three spruce, blowing these top sections high into down-wind trees without touching the ground.
The Community Company had previously had the condition of the trees surveyed and undertaken some remedial tree work and woodland management with a local contractor. After the storm, the first thing we did, returning from the festive break was to contact the previous surveyor and obtain a quote for undertaking a new survey of the wood’s condition. Unfortunately, they weren’t available to undertake this until late February with the report coming back in early March and this highlighted the other important work that needed to be done in the wood as well as removing the windthrown trees.
We were aware that we had to apply to Scottish Forestry for a felling licence; a mandatory obligation for all private woodland owners, even and especially for windthrown trees. Trees blown over by the wind are more dangerous and difficult to chop up and remove than trees that are deliberately felled for harvesting. The forces of tension and compression in the trunk and branches are often much greater and you need a particular type of chainsaw training and licence to deal with them. This is why we put up notices warning ‘no collection of firewood’ and ‘no use of chainsaws.’ Please be aware that unauthorised felling or felling without a valid licence is an offence under ‘The Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018’ with a maximum penalty of £5,000 per tree.
Our felling licence application was submitted on the 28th March, amended and accepted by Scottish Forestry on 10th April this year. They informed us that it would take up to 12 weeks to issue a licence, more if any issues come up from public consultation; but expected by 3rd July. We did try to get the process speeded up. We are planning to retain most of the larger timber on site for community uses and therefore do not require using HGVs to transport it off-site. This should helped as certain departments would not need consulted. However, due to unforeseen circumstance, the licence is now not expected until early/mid-August. We’re not the only local woodland owner still awaiting felling permission from this storm; with at least three other sites still on the list.
If you are wondering why so many of the storm damaged trees in other areas were cleared almost immediately, please understand that certain bodies like the Forestry Commission and Forestry and Land Scotland have continuous permissions and do not have to go through this lengthy application process with Scottish Forestry.
In anticipation of receiving felling permission, we have invited local contractors to quote for this work. It is likely that the work will be undertaken from mid-August onwards, once the children have returned to school, notwithstanding any environmental assessment conditions that might be imposed. Needless to say, we are really keen to press on with the work, removing the scars of the devastating storm and get on with planned replanting of new replacement and additional trees in the wood over the winter.
Fort Augustus and Glenmoriston Community Company 