The Estate owns and maintains 8,400 acres of forestry and woodland, located throughout Northumberland and the Scottish Borders. Managed on a sustainable basis, the forestry department looks to replace the same acreage each year as is felled. Other tree planting is regularly undertaken across the whole Estate as a part of amenity, sporting and conservation projects, as well as to replenish commercial stocks. Although the majority of Estate woodland is coniferous, recent years have seen a change in philosophy favouring hardwoods with ‘nurse’ softwoods that can be removed as thinning once the hardwoods mature. recent plans aim to greatly increase the amount of trees planted in coming years as a part of the Estates environmental strategy. 

The public have access to thousands of acres of Estate land across Northumberland and we maintain nearly 300 miles of public rights of way.

Hulne Park extends to over 3,000 acres within a walled enclosure and we work with communities to extend permissive rights of way.

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Case Study

Storm Arwen Recovery

Storm Arwen hit the north east of England on the 26-27 November 2021 bringing recorded wind speeds of over 100mph and causing extensive damage to woodlands and properties.

Across the Estate, approximately 670 acres of coniferous crops were affected, 80,000 tonnes of trees were wind damaged and there was substantial damage to the historic parkland and hedgerow trees. Storm Malik arrived on the 29 January 2022 and added a further 20,000 tonnes of woodland to the the forest floor. 

In the aftermath of the storms, the Estate's harvesting plan was halted and staff and machinery were redeployed to clear roads and address health and safety issues. 3–4 harvesting squads have been deployed throughout the woodlands and to date we have recovered 41,000 tonnes.  A further 44,000 tonnes is programmed for clearance in 2023/24 and the balance in 2024/25.

It is estimated it will take up to 5 years to fully restock the woodlands. 

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Case Study

The Queen’s Green Canopy

The Queen’s Green Canopy started as a nationwide initiative created to mark Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee. Following the death of Her Majesty The Queen, and at the wishes of His Majesty The King, the initiative was extended to the end of March 2023 to give people the opportunity to plant trees in memoriam as a lasting tribute to Her Majesty's extraordinary service to her country and her people.

This will create a green legacy of its own, with every tree planted bringing benefits for people, wildlife and climate, now and for the future.

Northumberland Estates planted 7 Common Oak (Quercus robur) in Hulne Park on 24 November 2022 as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy.

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