Weardale to see native trees return

The Forestry Commission is supporting a 'back to nature' plan in Weardale which will see thousands of native trees take root and new wildlife habitats created.

The blueprint on the Weardale Estate, near Killhope in the North Pennine AONB, will involve the felling of 43 hectares (107 acres) of conifer trees planted in the 1950s.

Species like oak, ash and rowan will take their place, covering 26 hectares (65 acres), with the remaining land reverting to heather moor.

A scrubby woodland edge will also be created favoured by the endangered Black grouse – a bird which is enjoying a revival thanks to conservation work in the northern uplands, its key English stronghold.

Rachel Sparks, Forestry Commission Woodland Officer, said:

"We have worked very hard with the estate to draw up this plan which offers major gains for wildlife and the landscape. The existing conifer block was planted at a time of post-war austerity when timber production was a top priority. Commercial forestry remains crucial to the region's economy, but that has to be balanced with wider conservation goals. Under the plans important lead mining archaeology dating back hundreds of years will also be better protected. Many of the conifers are planted on top of these fragile sites which are suffering from root damage."