Residents concern over tree felling at Avon Heath

A large number of trees have been cut down at Avon Heath as part of work by the local authority to maintain a ‘healthy and ecologically diverse heathland’.

But the sight of freshly chopped trees stacked up along the heathland has left many residents saddened and concerned for nearby wildlife.

Marjorie, who walks her dog at Avon Heath daily, said: “I can't bear to see any living tree being chopped down. To me, its just wrong. I think its totally wrong. If it's half dead and it's dangerous, then it's different, but I think to do it to a living tree is wrong.

"They started doing it a couple years ago I think. Someone said that they’ve cut down 8,000 trees.

Felled trees at Avon Heath (Image: NQ)

"It also means there’s no shade anymore. In the summer you knew where you could go to keep your dogs in the shade, but now there’s nothing."

Another dog walker at Avon Heath, who asked not to be named, said: “I always walk my dog in Avon Heath. It’s always been really pretty, but since they’ve chopped the trees, it just doesn’t look as nice- it changed the whole appeal of the forest really.

"I used to walk here a lot through lockdown. I think that’s when they cut the first lot of trees.

"I don’t understand why they’re doing it. I feel sorry for all the animals here.”

Dorset Council said the felling was not only necessary for the environment, but also to mininmise the threat of trees on the electricity power lines.

Felled trees at Avon Heath (Image: NQ)

Their spokesperson said: “There are two reasons why we are felling trees on Avon Heath.

“One, to maintain a healthy and ecologically diverse heathland. Management of the habitats that are home to night jars, wood larks, grass snakes and sand lizards means that we cannot allow trees to take over the heathland. If they did it would destroy the specific requirements for these species.

“Two, these particular trees are a threat to the electricity power lines. If we have gale force winds in a north/ south direction this would bring down these lines. Thankfully the last gales were from an easterly direction so didn't bring the trees down.

Dorset Council also said that they were required to fell the trees under Natural England, and that it was done under license.