Lining out tree seedlings in Ledmore Nursery
The images are courtesy of Michael Lawrence of Bankfoot whose grandfather, Sandy Rose, was Forester and Head Forester at Ledmore Forest Nursery from 1950 (when land was acquired) until his retirement in 1969. In 1966 the nearby Strathord Forest was brought under his charge. The year of the photograph is estimated to be around 1957.
Lovely action shot of the lining out team at work. The plough is moving down along the boards packing in the soil and creating the next line out edge. Andrew Thain is on the right bent down holding the boards steady as the plough passes. The tractor driver is watching carefully on just how close he can keep to his line and do a very neat and well finished job. This is not easy with such small seedlings and is a severe challenge for team and machine. The man in the olive green jersey is pulling the anchor pins and loosening and lifting the rings that clamp the irons holding the lining out boards tightly together. The lady is obviously keen to get the board back onto the trestles and begin refilling with seedlings for the next line. Note that she has her finders in between the vertical irons thus gently levering the board more widely open and carefully lifting so as not to pull out the seedlings. The young man with dust in his eyes may well be a member of one of the two or three board filling teams working this section.
Any more names would be very welcome as would any stories and comments in working on this process.
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