New Plantations
Landscape and habitat enhancements at Otterburn Training Area has been established thanks to an MoD project which has involved the planting of more than 230 hectares of new native woodland.
Trees planted as part of an agreement between Defence Training Estate Otterburn and Northumberland National Park Authority include alder, ash, oak, birch, aspen, rowan, hazel, holly, cherry, hawthorn and willow. Although the MOD will continue using the site to fulfil its military training requirements, it is committed to enhancing conservation, landscape and agricultural requirements.
Approximately 230 hectares of woodland have been planted over the past five years in 80 separate compartments. Public access is permitted to parts of the training area when no live firing is taking place, new native planting adds considerably to the visitor experience and landscape, confirming the MoD commitment to this protected landscape.
The project includes the restoration of ancient features to the landscape and native trees whilst strengthening biodiversity of native species, such as birds of prey and black grouse.
Otterburn Training Area aims to provide and maintain a sustainable woodland resource that fulfils military training requirements and enhances the training value of the area whilst protecting, enhancing and extending ancient semi natural woodlands, paying particular attention to links with valuable habitats.
"This has been an excellent project and the MoD are very pleased to have helped increase native tree cover in the Northumberland National Park.
Once established the woodlands will provide a valuable realistic training facility for the military, in addition to enhancing nature conservation by providing a more diverse woodland."
Keith Anderson, Estate Surveyor (Forestry)
The management of woodlands should, where possible, reflect the two main aims of the Government’s forestry policy: -
- The sustainable management of our existing woodlands and forests.
- A programmed expansion of tree cover to increase the many diverse benefits that forests provide.
The long-term vision for woodlands on the training area is therefore to maintain and expand a cross section of woodland types, creating a mix of woodland sizes and type, which will benefit and enhance military training, the landscape and conservation.
