Revesby Estate - Forestry Journal

mately 200 wild deer on the estateand cull 30 (roe, fallow and muntjac)a year. We are very fortunate inhaving a close relationship with theLincolnshire Deer Group, who helpwith our culling operations.”In the deer park, Tree Tech (aLantra trainer provider) is running aclimbing and aerial rescue course.Peter says, “Thirty or so trainingcourses are held [for free] throughoutthe estate each year. We hostthe Revesby Country Fair (20,000visitors) and the LincolnshireFirewood Fair in the deer park. Wehave six miles of public rights ofway, and one major and six minorroads passing through the estate.As landowners, it is our responsibilityto manage and reduce the riskposed by our trees to the public,as far as is reasonably possible. Webegan inspecting and working ourroadside trees last year and haveonly just completed this lengthyand costly operation.”Already a qualified climber andchainsaw user (standard fell andcross-cut), Peter got his Highwaysand Tree Inspection tickets twoyears ago to reduce inspectioncosts. To remain impartial, tree surgeonsCastle Tree Care also carryout inspections at Revesby.In Waifs Park, we pass the 14,000thtree to be tagged on a GarminGPS positioning finder. Peter says,“With the size and variety of ourMature oaks in Roboroughs Wood.operations, attention to detail isparamount. Members of staff carryBlackberries and dictaphones. Ifany work needs to be done, it isnoted there and then. This attentionto detail includes mowing andmaintenance. The verges are mowntwice a year and where required,the hedges are flailed back into atriangular shape, giving wildlife athick base for shelter. Roadside treeinspections occur at six monthsor annually, at different times ofthe year. Our roadside (and park)chestnuts are suffering with leafminer and bleeding canker. Twentyhave already been dismantled and180 are showing signs. Where treesare taken out, we are creating aplanting matrix. Driving from thenorth you will see cherry blossom,from the south, softwoods andsycamore.”Revesby’s main market for timberis firewood. “For three years, threelocal contractors, who work to ourexacting standards, have boughtour timber standing. ForestryJournal has helped us find differentmarkets for our timber. We havepoplar, yew and cricket-bat willowplantations that need thinning.However, I intend to wait until Ifind the correct market for these.We are also looking for interestedparties to cut and take our hazel ona regular basis.”Deer under Lombarby poplar trees in the deer park. The park is the setting for the Revesby Country Fair. Revesby ParkHouse, to be included in the biomass plans, can be seen in the background right.By investing in infrastructure andputting standing-sale contacts inplace now, Peter is generatingfuture returns. “Oil prices are risingand the Renewable Heat Incentivehas launched. I attended an Igniterenewable firewood course lastweek. We have an expert comingout to assess the viability of buildinga biomass CHP system for theoffice block, my parents’ houseand the village, within the nextyear. Currently we are primaryproducers, adding no value to ourproduct. I hope to change this inthe coming years. Growing fuel forour estate houses is an idea thatappeals greatly.”www.revesbyestate.co.ukCarolyne LocherForestry Journal 1/12 www.forestryjournal.co.uk27