Forestry
Forestry at Douglas had always been an important part of the Estate economy – historically running its own sawmill and fencing business. However, with the sale of woodland in the 1970s forestry became less important until 2003, when the Estate re-acquired 2,000 acres of commercial woodland (previously sold off) and so reviving its importance as an Estate trading enterprise at Douglas.
In addition, a further 200 acres of new native riparian broadleaf woodland was planted in 2007 / 2008 in order to provide environmental, amenity, and commercial benefit for the long term.
The woodlands are FSC certified and managed in accordance with the long term forest plan.
Timber is either sold to local mills, to specialist local users, or chipped as fuel for the Estate’s two (wood chip) Biomass district heating plants.
The Hirsel woodlands (700 acres)have been managed in a commercially sensitive manner for over 400 years – since the family first acquired the Estate.
The woodlands at the Hirsel are the largest block of forestry in the Berwickshire Merse and, as a result, are important as both landscape feature of the area and for the environmental benefit they bring to the estate.
Successive generations of the Home family have dictated the management policy for the woodlands and the parkland trees resulting in what is now a multi-aged continuous cover forest combining a mix of deciduous woodlands (0 – 200 years old) and some shorter rotation commercial Conifer planting.
The woods are managed commercially to a long term plan, but with a very strong emphasis on the amenity and environmental aspects of the woodlands.
In 1895, Dundock Wood was re-planted with Rhododendrons and has been managed for its amenity, the importance of its wildlife, and conservation ever since – providing visitors (both local and from further afield) with much pleasure during the months of May and June each year.
Timber from the Hirsel is sold to local sawmills and further afield, an Oak tree was sold to the Globe Theatre (during its restoration) for £2,000, and was used to create one of the two columns at the front of the stage and it is hoped that commecial timber from the estate will be used in the Hudson Hirsel housing development at Leet Haugh.
The Oaks in Dundock Wood are a registered seed stand, and acorns from the Hirsel are regularly sold for seed.
Enquiries about the Forestry Operations at Douglas or the Hirsel should be made to Grant Conchie at the Douglas Estate Office (01555 851536) or by email to grant.conchie@daestates.co.uk