Demonstration day for thinning works at city woodland

06 January 2017

People are being offered a ‘tree-mendous’ chance to watch a high-tech timber harvester at work next Saturday (14 January 2017) while a city woodland is ‘spruced’ up during thinning works.

The 5m-high machine can fell a large conifer tree, cut off all of its branches, and cut it to pre-determined lengths in about a minute.

The machine operator works from a comfortable seat inside a warm cab so can work long hours without the dangers of working with a chainsaw or large cross cut saw in cold and wet weather.

Aberdeen City Council is undertaking forestry works in Anderson Wood at Hazlehead Park which will open up the woodland. The work, which is being carried out by a contractor, involves thinning the woods to create space for the remaining trees to grow.

Aberdeen City Council’s Countryside Rangers and Arboriculture teams have arranged with the contractor to have a demonstration day while the work is carried out.

Aberdeen City Council Communities, Housing and Infrastructure vice convener Councillor Jean Morrison said: “This is a great opportunity for people to see for themselves how forestry management works in action.

“These big timber harvester machines are always popular, especially with children, as they are so fast at working and make chopping down a tree, stripping it of its branches, and cutting it up, look so easy.

“Anyone is welcome to go along to the event and enjoy going for a walk in Hazlehead Woods at the same time.”

Anyone wanting to watch the machine in action from a safe distance, talk to the operator, find out more about woodland management, or discover about careers in the forestry industry is welcome to go to the event.

The free event will be held next Saturday (14 January 2017) from 10am to 1pm, and one of the Rangers will be there to meet groups at 10am, 10.45am, 11.30am, and 12.15pm. People should meet at the top of the Aberdeen Crematorium West Chapel car park, and there will be a short walk into the woods - which could be muddy - to where the work is being carried out. Anyone wanting to go are advised to wear appropriate clothing and footwear.

Anyone wanting more information or to book a place should contact the Countryside Rangers on 01224 326429 or countrysideranger@aberdeencity.gov.uk.