Mire Restoration (Forestry England – Case Study)

Check out further details of the case study as well as before and after photos of the completion below.

Client: Forestry England Site: Border Mires, Kielder Forest, Northumberland

About The Site / Project

The job specification for one of our latest projects for Forestry England was to remove regenerated Sitka spruce from around the perimeter of the bog and from the adjacent input slope flowed by ditching works to complete the restoration of the bog. 

The site was Border Mires, Kielder Forest, Northumberland which had limited access and sensitive terrain. Therefore, the only cost-effective method to deal with the trees was mulching in-situ. 

What Is Mire Restoration?

Mire restoration refers to the process of returning degraded or drained peatland ecosystems, often known as mires, to their natural state. Mires, which include bogs, are wetland areas characterised by waterlogged conditions that allow for the accumulation of peat—partially decomposed organic matter. 

Restoration efforts aim to re-establish the natural hydrology, vegetation, and ecological functions of these areas. Mire restoration is a complex process that requires expert contractors just like Treeclear UK.

Forest To Bog – Before & After

How Did Treeclear UK Help?

To complete the restoration of the bog, and remove regenerated Sitka spruce from around the perimeter of the bog and from the adjacent input slope, Treeclear UK carried out the project in three key phases:

Phase 1

The input slope. This area is a bank situated above the mire in the centre of the designated SSSi. The slope was full of dense impermeable self seeded Sitka spruce as well as some hefty stumps from a previous clear fell a few years prior. Approximately 10ha in size the area was mulched down to ground level opening up the centre of the site.

Phase 2

Mulching 33ha of self seeded and regenerated Sitka spruce in 3 main sections to the North and West of the site. The trees to the north were sporadic, averaging 4-5 metres tall, while trees to the West were larger and a lot denser. Trees were mulched using 3 low ground pressure excavators with specially designed mulching heads down to below the surface of the bog. The site was extensive as it extended to over 1.5 km away from the access point. The ground conditions were delicate working and travelling across sensitive peatland terrain. 

Phase 3

Deep trench bunds were dug to stop water from running off the mire via the large main ditches to the Western side of the site. Bunds were formed to the lower side of the input slope to help retain water and peat dams were formed along 6km of ditches that ran across the site.

Why Choose Treeclear UK?

Treeclear UK are proud to be your 5-star-rated environmental land clearance contractors operating throughout the UK. We have decades of experience undertaking mire and peatland restoration for a wide range of clients including wildlife trusts, commercial clients, private estates, and land agents.

Qualifications and member organisations we’re proud to be a part of include;-

• Construction Skills Certificate Scheme (CSCS)

• City & Guilds NPTC qualified including (FMOC) 

• Members Forest Industry Safety Accord (FISA)