Cubin Forest 1946 - South West side
A series of RAF aerial photographs purchased many years ago by and used by the Forestry Commission to assess boundaries of forest compartments and the growth of the trees. Photographs are courtesy of Moray and Aberdeenshire Forest District.
Several photographs have been digitally stitched together to cover the south western section of Culbin Forest. Unfortunately the images of photographic flight line to the north have not been located however this image does show a number of interesting features.
Note the area of the severe fire which burnt over 380 acres of forest in 1939 which has been vividly described by the then chairman Lord Robinson. ‘This fire burned not only the young plantation but also ran as a crown fire through semi mature pines 60ft or more in height. This was an alarming experience, about which we could do nothing, and the only crown fire I have seen in large trees in this country.’ The fire appears to have been in an area that was planted around 1927-29 and would have been fairly young but some of the previous crop of trees may still have been growing in parts hence the trees heights quoted.
The edge of trees running north and south about the middle of the image was the initial boundary of the Forestry Commission land area before it acquired the area to the west, but north of the lochs. Of note also are the tracks which show up as white where the vegetation has worn away and exposed the sand leading to potential future sand ‘blow outs’.
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Groups: Forestry Areas