Dumfries estate hosts next generation of foresters

Crown Estate Scotland has teamed up with SRUC to host innovative forestry management and operations courses for students.

Around 40 students from SRUC’s Barony campus have been taking part in chainsaw training on the Applegirth Estate, which is managed by Crown Estate Scotland.

In addition, the students are mentored in the use of tractor-based and purpose-built forest machinery, giving them hands-on experience of what it is like to work in a forest that is used for different activities day-to-day.

Nick Page, Forest Manager for Crown Estate Scotland, said: “It’s really important that we offer training opportunities for the foresters of tomorrow, and the Applegirth Estate provides an excellent location for students to get hands-on experience.”

Martyn Davies, Head of Forestry at SRUC, said: “The estate is a well-managed multi-purpose forest, with a variety of species of differing ages.

“Our first and second year students practise their tree felling techniques before our second year foresters extract and stack the timber using SRUC’s own purpose-built and tractor-based machines.

“The site is also utilised for tree measuring and planting, as well as providing examples of silvicultural systems. It is a fantastic resource and we are pleased we can continue to work with Crown Estate Scotland.”

Visit Forestry for more information

Posted by SRUC on 13/02/2020