Forestry Memories

Wind Tatter flags - Glenlivet Forest

Photograph courtesy of Jean Christie, Pitfour taken by her husband Jack Christie when he was forester at Glenlivet.

Jean says this is Bob Cathie (future Conservator of North Scotland) inspecting the high elevation tatter flags at Glenlivet.
The flags were used to determine the amount of wind blast and exposure that any site was subjected to (higher elevations and absence of sheltering hills normally increased the adverse wind effects on trees)so that the upper planting limits for trees could be judged. Flags of a uniform size and material (cotton) were placed on poles at various locations over the hills and left for two months to wear (tatter) down with the wind. They were all collected, fully dated, new ones put in their place and after a couple of years the average daily tatter rate for each site was then determined. If tatter rates were excessively high the proposed top planting line was brought further down hill.

Can anyone place the location and confirm if this is Bob Cathie?

Groups: Forestry Areas, Forestry in Action, Northeast Scotland

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