Working Woodland Open Day: Meet the Tree Fellers 2019

At the start of autumn, the Fingle Woods partnership held an open day of hands-on family-friendly woodland exploration. Nearly 170 people from the local community and further afield braved a typical Dartmoor mixed weather forecast, and ventured to the Wooston Castle area of Fingle Woods to find out what this years’ Meet the Tree Fellers day had in store.

As we move out of the summer and into the seasons where wildlife rests, it’s woodland management time. Over the spring and summer months woodland workers pause some activities to give various species, particularly birds, time to nest and breed. Once this period passes, the gradual thinning of conifer woods can recommence,  bringing more light and life back into Fingle Woods.Following the success of previous years’ events, Meet the Tree Fellers day was back for 2019, celebrating all things woodland work, from big machinery and tree felling, to green-woodworking and other wood-related crafts and activities. Click here for a photographic review of last year’s event.

We saw individuals, groups and families all enjoying a special day that showcased the woodlands at work. We’ve all come away with a new appreciation of the work that goes into landscapes like Fingle Wood, particularly when working in sensitive areas such as this archaeological site here on an Iron Age hill fort. It takes teamwork and a diverse range of skills and expertise. It was a pleasure to be able to see it all at work here together on this occasion.To discover what future events are coming up at Fingle Woods, stay subscribed to this blog or follow our Facebook page. Expect 2020 to see the return of many of our previously popular events, and plenty of new and exciting ways to explore Fingle Woods.Words and images by Emma Fancett