FORESTRY
FORESTRY

The planting and management of trees has been a core part of the management of Fasque & Glendye Estates for at least 200 years and this tradition continues today with over 9,000 acres of land devoted to commercial and amenity woodlands. The woodlands are a vital component in the integrated land management of the Estate.

The commercial crops are principally Scots Pine and Larch and they provide income, employment, recreation opportunities, cover for red, roe deer, black game and other species as well as being a key element of the highland landscape. There are also some stunning examples of Douglas, Noble and Grand Fir and the overall quality of the timber, the product of decades of careful nurture, is amongst the best in Scotland. There is a continuous programme of thinning, felling and replanting or restocking by natural regeneration and, despite the relatively poor current returns from the timber industry, this management will no doubt continue for generations to come. Current objectives include the agreement of a Long Term Forestry Plan with the Forestry Commission and the Certification of all the timber at Fasque.

No new commercial plantings of softwoods are planned but new broadleaved woodlands are being created, principally with the aims of landscape and biodiversity improvement but also with the objective of producing very high quality hardwoods, such as cherry and sycamore, for the benefit of future generations.

The Estate are constantly looking at new ways of utilising this valuable natural resource and potential projects include a wood chip burning heating system for some of the houses and the utilisation of home-grown timber in the maintenance and construction of Estate buildings.