Tarras Valley Nature Reserve and Tilhill join forces to harvest timber

FOLLOWING two epic community land buy-outs, the community of Langholm, South Scotland, now owns 10,500 acres of the stunning Tarras Valley.

The Langholm Initiative is now working with the local community to create the Tarras Valley Nature Reserve, one of the biggest projects of its kind in the UK for people, nature and climate, and has called on the assistance of Tilhill to harvest over 15,385 tonnes of timber.

For the last 45 years, the ‘Tarras Strip plantation’ was a productive timber plantation, connecting into a rich network of woodlands, including young regenerating trees and ancient wood pastures along the river floodplains.

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The timber in the area being clear-felled, previously part of the Buccleuch Estate, was nearing time for harvesting, but extensive damage from Storm Arwen meant that felling needed to happen sooner than originally planned.

Over 36 hectares and approximately 15,385 tonnes of timber, comprising mainly Sitka spruce and Norway spruce, had been badly damaged alongside small amounts of larch, ranging from 16 to 51 years. It is now being harvested by Tilhill to encourage the natural regeneration of native woodland species which remain across the site. It is the biggest land restoration project that has been undertaken since the Langholm Initiative – a local community development trust – bought the land in 2021 on behalf of the Langholm community.

Some of the team behind the project (Image: Supplied)

A co-design process will follow the felling, led by the Langholm Initiative, to collaboratively redesign the site and ensure it continues to be a rich community resource.

“Tilhill offered a competitive price and a wealth of experience and professionalism to help us achieve our aims for the site,” said Jenny Barlow, Tarras Valley Nature Reserve estate manager. “The timber being harvested is helping to generate an income for the Langholm Initiative, which will help support investment back into the community land, which in turn encourages long-term sustainability of a shared community asset for future generations.

“The long-term vision for the area is to create a diverse native woodland with improved walking trails for people and opportunities to enjoy the amazing wildlife in the valley.”

Tilhill harvesting manager David Biott said an impressive amount of wildlife species had been found among the area’s spruce trees. “Badgers, red squirrels, pine martens, otters, goshawks and other birds of prey are all using this forest for nesting or hunting,” he said. “I think it’s a brilliant example of meeting a balance between achieving a sustainable income but also providing habitat.

“All the timber will be fully utilised, mainly being cut into green sawlogs for BSW Timber’s Carlisle sawmill, located within 20 miles of the site, making it much more sustainable. We are also working with other third parties such as Iggesund Paperboard to create pulpwood and fuelwood for paperboard production and green energy, while AW Jenkinson will take shavings to create bedding material for animals such as horses, demonstrating a vast array of forest products created from the felling.”

Mark Seed Forestry and Land, a Langholm-based forestry consultant, was secured to act as the initiative’s agent throughout the works.

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“Tarras Valley Nature Reserve and community buyout is utilising its assets to their fullest extent for the benefit of the community,” said Mark. “The initiative is using local, highly professional timber buyers, processors, sawmillers and forestry woodland services throughout the supply chain.

Much of the timber has been taken to BSW's Carlisle sawmill (Image: Supplied)

“It has achieved that rare outcome where the three sustainable aspects of land and resource management meet – socially, ecologically and, importantly, economically.

"The legacy it will leave will be enjoyed by generations to come and is a credit to Tarras Valley Nature Reserve and Tilhill teams.

“Our main contribution was the marketing of the timber which has surpassed Tarras Valley Nature Reserve’s expectations and demonstrates that South Scotland and Northern England is genuinely benefitting from long-term forestry planning and investments.

"All woodland types and activities – commercial, native woodland restorations, new woodland creations and timber productions – are directly creating jobs, generating tourism and improving the landscape, and are a significant contributor to the local and regional area.”