Friday Woods Colchester tree felling will protect ecosystem

Friday Woods nature reserve and army training site in Bounstead Road, Colchester, has been subject to felling.

Stacks of trees are piled up on the site, causing some residents to feel angry yet again as they witness the trees being chopped.

The Military of Defence, which manages the site, applied to Natural England for the felling of the trees.

Stacks - trees piled up at the nature reserve (Image: Public)

The felling is being funded by the MOD’S Conservation Stewardship Fund, which supports conservation projects.

Natural England allowed the felling to take place after a consultation with the Forestry Commission.

The decision was made in order to protect grassland on the site, which is part of the site of special scientific interest.

Sites of special scientific interest are protected by law to conserve their wildlife, habitat and geology.

Conservation - the felling is set to protect the site (Image: Public)

Deputy director of Natural England West Anglia Team, John Torlesse said: “Friday Woods Training Area features a special habitat known as acid grassland, which is particularly important for plants and insects and now rare in Essex.

“At this site, trees and scrub have been encroaching on this rare ecosystem for several decades.

“In consultation with the Forestry Commission, Natural England has provided consent for the felling of some trees which will help to protect this high-value grassland ecology at the Roman River Site of Special Scientific Interest.”

Tree felling is when trees are removed by cutting at the bottom and allowing the trees to fall down.

The main reasons for felling include using the tree for sustainable timber, for safety reasons, to control pests and diseases, to thin out forests to let more light into the forest floor and to create other habitats.

Sad - councillor Dave Harris is against the tree felling (Image: Dave Harris)

Berechurch Ward councillor, Dave Harris said: “They did apply to Natural England, which was agreed because they’re mature trees that have grown bigger than the army wanted them to, but they’re cutting down perfectly good healthy trees.

“It’s sad to see the trees stacked up and when you see the rings on the trees it's clear they are healthy and have no diseases.”