A Tale of Two Woods
19–21 February 2010
Wooplaw Community Woodland was the first community woodland in the UK and came into being in 1987. This diverse woodland extends to 55 acres and approximately half was planted up over the last 20 years. The woods contain many interesting artistic additions, including a life size auroch (prehistoric cow), giant seeds, a log cabin and a willow maze.
Gordon Community Woodland is nearby. Gordon is a small Borders village with a large community woodland of over 200 acres, almost all mixed broadleaves. It’s a lot for a small community group to look after so New Caledonian Woodlands is very pleased to be able to give them a hand. The wood has a pond, a cabin, a river, old burial mounds and a disused railway line as well as lots of trees, so there’s something for everyone. We have been coppicing there.
Location |
Wooplaw and Gordon Community Woodlands |
Dates |
19–21 February 2010 |
Activity |
The main task will be pruning the trees in the Gullet woods, home of the mysterious auroch and a stone age shelter. There’s a pond and a burn too if it gets really hot ! More likely, we will be having a snowball fight. Next day we transfer to Gordon Community Woodland, where we will be sorting out a conifer wood, thinning and pruning to make access easier. |
Accommodation |
Accommodation will be in Gordon Village Hall which is warm and spacious. Please bring a sleeping bag and airbed/carrymat with you – we can provide an air-bed if you don’t have one of your own (please let us know). |
Food |
We will provide dinner on Friday and Saturday as well as breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday, with much of the produce coming from Damhead Organics. |
Transport |
We will collect people from outside Jimmy Chungs on Waverley Bridge in the centre of Edinburgh at 6.00 pm on Friday and will return everyone by about 5.00 pm on Sunday. |
Outings |
A guided tour round Scotland’s first (and best!) community woodland is likely. |
Big Debate |
How can growing quality hardwoods (and softwoods) help to combat climate change ? |
Cost |
£25 waged / £20 unwaged |
