Culbin Forest thatching on dunes circa1950
Photographs courtesy of Duncan Menzies, Banchory.
Landscape view of part of Culbin Forest where the mobile sand dunes have been thatched with branches and brash transported in from the surrounding forests and estates. The thatching stabilised the blowing sand and provided shelter for the young trees that were planted in among the thatch which lasted long enough for the trees to get a hold and they then in turn stabilised the sand dunes.
Forestry Commission acquired the sand dune areas between 1922 and 1931 and started planting trees in earnest about 1937. Those early plantings involved re-establishing marram grass and Corsican pine but met with mixed success.
In 1937 thatching of the sand began, closely followed by planting of the trees and these operations continued through to the 1950s (Abbie Gordon recollects lorry loads of branches from the Bin Forest being sent to Culbin in the 50s). Up to 40 tons of branches and brash was required to thatch an acre.
Groups: Forestry Areas