A history of tree planting in the Culbin Forest area
This was part of an archived file box recovered from old shed store at Newton by Malcolm Hobson and Ruaridh Maxwell of Forestry and Land Scotland.
There are no references to accurately date or reveal authorship of this description of tree planting and exploitation of the forest areas in Culbin. This three page summary may well have been prepared to provide information to parties visiting the forest. The brief details go back as far 1694 and then move forward to 1839 when Mr R Grant of Kincorth first planted 70 acres in an early attempt to protect farm land from further sand encroachment. Sporadic planting continued by several estates until the end of the 19th century when around 3000 acres may have been put under trees. The whole area was logged during the 1914-18 war leaving only some sea erosion defensive strips. In 1922 a large area of the main body of Culbin was purchased by the Forestry Commission and areas added subsequently. By the start of the war in 1939 about half the area had been planted or replanted but then all work came to a halt as the forest was an important battle training ground for the military.
Following the war thatching and planting of the sand dunes recommenced and was completed by the late 1950s. Timber production from thinning and felling operations supplied mines, saw and pulp mills and local farms. Fires were a feature in the early days but fire towers, radio communications and fire fighting vehicles all reduced the damage to very low levels in later years.
Please see the PDF link below to view the three pages.
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Groups: Forestry Areas, Northeast Scotland