Forestry Memories

Lining out tree seedlings in Ledmore Nursery

Lining out tree seedlings in Ledmore Nursery

Date Added: 06 March 2022 Contributor: Norman Davidson Year of Photo: 1957 Picture No: 5318

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.

This image demonstrated the team working with slightly larger and older seedlings – possibly 1.5 year old or 2 .0 year old pine or Douglas fir? The rings clamping the irons together and the boards tightly closed are easily seen as are the pins driven through the leg of the iron into the soil and holding the irons and boards in a vertical and fixed position.
Chalmers Thain (Snr) is following up closely with spade ready for any problem. Again there are three filling stations on this section with three ladies just visible standing waiting for the empty boards.

The role of the wooden stake is not clear but could delineate the end position of boards at the midpoint to prevent uneven end rigs? Note that above the hedge some sort of screen has been set up to heighten the sheltering effect of the hedge which at this stage is not old enough to do the full job.

Can more people be named? Any comments and details of experiences of working the nurseries welcome.

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Groups: Forest Nurseries, Forestry Areas, Forestry in Action, Groups of people, Other Vehicles and Machines, Tools, equipment and clothing

1 Comment

I like the turned down wellington boot which was the standard footwear on building sites at the time and the everyday working clothes. What excellent quality in all of these Ledmore nursery photos of the techniques of the period. and the people. Comment left on 07 March 2022 at 22:36 by Alasdair Cameron
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