Forest success after post-F&Mdevastation?
Forest success after post-F&Mdevastation?
THE devastation left by foot-and-mouth disease could allow the South-West Forest Project to flourish.
The areas of Devon and Cornwall hit hardest by foot-and-mouth disease happen to be the designated area for the forest, says project director Clive Thomas.
The south-west has Britains best climate for growing trees and so if there is a need to change land use, trees are an obvious choice.
"Foot-and-mouth has emphasised the need for the South West Forest. It has always had a clear role in land use restructuring, and we are currently lobbying for extra funds for tree planting."
The target for the first 15 years is about 1000ha (2400 acres) planted each year. 1700 ha (4200 acres) has been planted to date and more would have been done if funds had been made available because the scheme was oversubscribed in the first two years.
Most of the planting so far under the scheme is mixed woodland with some conifers. But Mr Thomas says there is real potential in the region for commercial plantings of Douglas Fir which grows quickly and yields useful timber which attracts a premium.
Eventually the thinnings and later on timber from the forest would support other businesses converting it into saleable products. Those extra businesses and jobs are vital to the areas long-term future.