Rebirth of Welsh forest after felling of larch trees

A forest in Wales has enjoyed a rebirth since being devastated by the spread of a disease which affects larch trees.

Some 12,000 native trees including sessile oak, rowan, birch, field maple, wild cherry, hawthorn and blackthorn have been replanted by Natural Resources Wales at Bwlch Nant yr Arian, near Aberystwyth.

They have replaced the 10 hectares of larch felled to help slow down the spread of Phytophthora ramorum, a disease which has infected over 6 million trees in Wales since its discovery in 2010.

Gareth Owen, visitor centre manager for Natural Resources Wales, said: "The whole site has come on fantastically well since the replanting.

"The felling provided us with an unexpected opportunity to create better, more resilient forests for the future by replanting more diverse native trees.

"We began the felling last October, completed it by December and carried out the replanting in February.

"We are pleased with the progress so far as the ground flora, including bracken, bramble, grasses and bilberry are already well established and the hill sides are greening up nicely."

Despite the felling programme, the forest's most famous visitors – its red kite population - continue to thrive with more than 150 birds showing up for the daily feeding sessions.

In the heart of picturesque Bakewell, the town’s Christmas Tree Team has found a revolutionary ally in the Pellenc Fixion 2 Tying Machine.Bakewell, nestled in the Derbyshire Dales, is renowned for its festive charm. Each year the Bakewell Christmas…

As we enter National Tree Week, there’s no better time to highlight the importance of sustainable tree care. Trees are vital to our environment, but their early years require protection from animals, harsh weather, and competing vegetation. While…

"Plus it doesn't matter if we all know plants are better value. I'd make the point of this to the customer but if they want trough grown at the extra cost that's their choice I'd just do it"