NATIONAL Trust rangers have been working hard to clear more than 300 fallen trees from footpaths and roads across western Exmoor following Storm Darragh.
The work will restore access to miles of footpaths and ensure local roads are once again safe for drivers.
The trust’s west Exmoor team looks after 1,200 acres of woodland, an area roughly the size of 16,000 tennis courts, which contains about 400,000 trees.
Nearly every footpath in the area was blocked by fallen trees during the storm, including the popular circular walk from Heddon Valley to Heddon’s Mouth, and preventing access to Watersmeet Tearoom.
Damage to trees on Exmoor caused by Storm Darragh is assessed by a National Trust ranger. PHOTO: Merv Broughton. ( )
Storm Damage in West Exmoor (Photo: Merv Broughton) (Storm Damage in West Exmoor (Photo: Merv Broughton))
Rangers with cleared footpath at Heddon (Photo: Tyler Farrow) (Rangers with cleared footpath at Heddon (Photo: Tyler Farrow))
Storm Damage clearance on Exmoor (Photo: Tyler Farrow) (Storm Damage clearance on Exmoor (Photo: Tyler Farrow))
Before the lane was cleared of a fallen tree (Photo: Tyler Farrow) (Before the lane was cleared of a fallen tree (Photo: Tyler Farrow))
Volunteering and community officer Amy U’Ren said: “In the darker, gloomier months, access to nature is even more crucial for our wellbeing, and the rangers have been flat out each day with their chainsaws working to get footpaths and access back to these special places.”
Away from footpaths and roads, more than 1,000 trees fell during the storm and those which are not blocking paths will be left where they lie as ‘deadwood’ habitat for wildlife.
Ranger Tyler Farrow said: “Positives we can take away from this is that the newly opened areas of the canopy, due to fallen trees, will allow more light to reach the forest floor, encouraging the growth of wildflowers and other species that are great winter food for songbirds, insects, and small mammals.
“This light also allows new trees to grow, creating a more diverse structure of tree ages and heights in the woodland, while also benefitting rare lichens.”