RSPB Forsinard Flows - Non-Native Conifers Regeneration Control

Description

Tender for the supply of removal of non-native regenerating trees and saplings on Forsinain North, Forsinard Flows (27.02ha) Lot 1: The works form part of a continuing programme of targeted forest to bog restoration which has been carried out at Forsinard by RSPB since 1997 with the long-term aim of restoring the blanket bogs of the Flows back to their pre-1970 naturally unafforested state. The area is comprised mostly of previously planted and felled ground in various stages of peatland restoration and some open ground. The previously planted areas were felled to waste in 2002-2003 when the trees were 15-22 years old. Sitka spruce and lodgepole pine tree regeneration and regrowth will be cut using clearing saws and chainsaws if the diameter of the tree is more than 120mm. Smaller trees can be cut and removed either by hand pulling or, if unable to safely pull manually, cut with loppers. All trees to be cut at the base below the lowest branch whorl (this might be buried in the moss layer), leaving no branches with green foliage on the stump. The cleared material will be left to waste at the location it was felled, cut or pulled. It is important to remove the much less obvious ‘saplings’ as it is the more obvious ‘trees’. These saplings can be as small as around 3cm, so care must be taken to scan/check areas thoroughly.