"Timber!": Toppled trees to be sold overseas

Harvesting operation to begin in March

A number of trees from the Island's plantations, including thousands toppled during recent storms, are to be harvested for a new export market.

The operation will get underway next month with a number of biking and walking trails set to be temporarily closed for safety reasons.

The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture says a large number of trees will be removed from sites including South Barrule and Archallagan.

Many of the Island’s plantations, established in the mid-20th century for commercial timber production, are now due for harvest, it says, and we can expect further operations like this in the coming years.

While some of the harvested Manx timber will be processed into local products at the Isle of Man Sawmill, the rest will be exported through Douglas and Ramsey Harbours to reach new UK markets.

DEFA says replanting will begin shortly after the harvest, using a mix of commercial conifers and broadleaves to enhance biodiversity and deliver long-term environmental benefits.

Environment Minister Clare Barber says: "The primary objectives are to eliminate safety hazards, restore public access, and manage the plantations effectively. Capitalising on new markets for Manx timber also supports the long-term viability of our plantations, reinforcing their role as a sustainable commercial crop.

"Understandably, the work will have a visual impact on the landscape, however it is necessary to ensure that future generations will still be able to use our outdoor spaces for recreation. Over time we will see these spaces gradually regenerate, and continue to provide valuable timber resources and spaces to explore for people in the Isle of Man."