Sorting oak seed out in preparation for winter storage at 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.
The photographer has done well to take this image inside a dark shed where the men may be doing a ‘wet day’ job. The oak seed will have been collected from under the parent trees perhaps by laying down large hessian or canvas sheets to enable collecting to be more easily carried out. No doubt there will be a deal of unwanted debris and also the loose acorn cups as well as light or damaged acorns. All this would have to be sorted out and the good clean seed prepared for over winter storage by stratifying or layering in nearly dry sand or peat.
Perhaps some men can be named. Any comments and other details very welcome.
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Groups: Forest Nurseries, Forestry Areas, Forestry in Action, Groups of people