Felling the oaks

Several of the ancient oaks in Dole Wood were felled in 2010 despite protests from some conservationists although the protestors were well and truly routed by the announcement that the timber was to be used for restoration work at Lincoln Cathedral.

The wood is administered by Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust who ordered the felling of sixteen trees in February that year as part of the ongoing preservation programme for this ancient woodland which has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The decision followed an inspection by the Natural England organisation and the Forestry Commission which found that the canopy was beginning to close and restricting the light reaching the woodland floor but caused outrage among some conservationists who saw it as official vandalism and a petition with 327 signatures was raised but failed to prevent the work going ahead.

The Local newspaper later reported (April 16th) that at the request of Natural England, the felled oaks were cut on site into 40 lengths of six to eight feet each and then transported to Lincoln where the cathedral carpenters cut them into sections, either square shapes or planks, and then stored them in the roof space where they will remain for between three and five years to enable them dry out before being ready for use in bespoke joinery work as the need arises.

Most of the oak used in the building of the 11th century cathedral came from Sherwood Forest, over the county border in Nottinghamshire. “We are merely carrying on the tradition of using locally grown oak”, explained Carol Heidschuster, the cathedral’s works manager. “It is absolutely wonderful to be able to use timber actually grown in the county which already produces stone from our own quarry.”

Sixteen oak saplings have already been planted in their place and Rachel Shaw of the LWT told the newspaper: “The history of our woodlands is one of people making the best use of the resources provided and wildlife being the unintended beneficiary. All felled timber or coppiced wood is put to good use. The oak trees in Dole Wood were cut down in a single day by a highly skilled team to ensure speed of work and minimal damage. Some fine timber is the result and continuing in the tradition of making good use of nature’s gifts, it will be used by the county’s finest building, namely the cathedral.”

WRITTEN APRIL 2010

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