Introduction

The Glencaird Hill land management unit is located approximately 16 km north of Newton Stewart, in Dumfries and Galloway. Covering an area of approximately 500 ha the area comprises mostly conifer woodland with some areas of broadleaves. It is part of Scotland’s national forests and land owned by Scottish Ministers on behalf of the people of Scotland and managed by Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS). The plan was developed in accordance with the requirements of the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) and has been approved by Scottish Forestry. The UKFS is the benchmark for sustainable forestry practice and the Scottish Government is committed to its use. 

 

Long term vision

Sustainable timber production will be maintained through revised felling and restocking programmes, these will continue to diversify species composition and the woodland’s age structure increasing the woodlands resilience to the effects of climate change. Biodiversity will be improved through the continued expansion of broadleaved cover. Existing productive conifer trees will be felled in the designated plantation of ancient woodland (PAWS) area and restocked with native broadleaf species, which in turn will benefit biodiversity and improve resilience to climate change, pests and diseases.

Management objectives

Objective 1: Sustainable Timber Production Prioritise - removal of wind blow to optimize economic viability of timber.

Objective 2: Plant health (Phytophthora ramorum) 

Objective 3: Continue restoration of Plantation on Ancient Woodland Site (PAWS) sites. 

Summary of planned operations

• Felling = 103 Ha
• Potential thinning = 79 Ha
• Restocking = 94 Ha
• Afforestation = 0 Ha
• Deforestation = 0 Ha
• Forest roads (new) = 0 m
• Forest quarries (existing) = 6 Ha

Maps

• Map 1 - Location
• Map 2 - Current tree species
• Map 3 - Concept map
• Map 4 - Management
• Map 5 - Thinning
• Map 6 - Future Habitats and Species
• Map 7 - Timber transport

Designations and significant features

Galloway and South Ayrshire Biosphere

Acid Sensitive Catchments (ASC)

Plantations on ancient woodlands (PAWS)