Managing the Wood
Clearing the Tracks
Before any forestry work can take place the tracks needed to be cleared for the harvesting machinery to gain access to the felling areas. A track laying machine was employed to open up this main track into the centre of the wood which had become so overgrown that only a single width for one person could be used.
Gas Pipeline
Near the centre of the wood there is a crossing of a gas main pipeline from the Gas Distribution Station on the Barton Gate road across the wood toward Bar Lane. This crossing needed to be strengthened with a thick layer of stone so that no damage could occur to the pipeline when the harvesting machinery comes to carry out the forestry work. The two yellow pipeline markers can be seen on the left.
New Entrance
In order to gain access into the wood with heavy machinery it was necessary to create a new access point on Bar Lane, then around the field to a gate leading into the Wood. A hard standing track was then constructed to take the weight of the machinery and equipment for harvesting the timber. This will not be an access point for the public to enter the Wood. The stile on the left is for walkers to enter the Wood to explore.
Harvesting the Timber
Once the trees have been thinned out the timber is stacked into piles near the exit to the woods ready to be collected.