Dunstable Downs wood closed as major tree-felling takes place

A major woodland conservation project is starting at National Trust’s Dunstable Downs this week.

Chute Wood, a large plantation woodland on the edge of the chalk grassland, has been badly affected by tree disease and the majority of trees in the wood need to be removed before the area is replanted early next year.

Work was carried out earlier this year to remove any unsafe trees close to visitor routes – but now the wood has been closed to allow the safe removal of all the affected trees.

A number of beech and oak trees which are unaffected by disease will remain, but the removal of the unhealthy trees will dramatically change the landscape and visitors will see new views opened up across Dunstable Downs.

Emily Smith, National Trust Countryside Manager said: "Chute Wood is a popular part of Dunstable Downs and has been enjoyed by families for many years. We understand how upsetting it might be to see so much of the woodland be felled.

"Unfortunately, the trees are diseased and if we didn’t remove them safely now, they would fail naturally on their own as the diseases take hold. This poses a great risk to everyone who enjoys this part of the landscape.

"We are taking this opportunity to control the felling of the trees and are really pleased that we will be able to replant with a variety of species which will increase the biodiversity of the woodland.”

In early 2023, the National Trust team plan to replant the woodland with help from local community groups and kindly funded by Dunstable Downs Rotary Club. Native broadleaf species will be chosen for their resistance to disease and value for nature.

Leah Calnon, National Trust Senior Volunteering and Community Officer said “We’re really looking forward to being able to engage with the local community on this re-planting project. The support of the community is crucial to everything we do at Dunstable Downs and the re-planting of Chute Wood represents an exciting opportunity for us to partner with the local community and to give them the chance to become invested in their local site. Chute Wood will be planted by the very groups that will watch it grow, make memories within it, and protect it for years to come. We look forward to sharing this experience with them.”

The area will be closed to visitors for approximately three to four weeks while the work takes place, after which it will be reopened allowing visitors to walk through and enjoy the space in its new form.

Later next year a new accessible circular trail connecting Chute Wood to the Gateway visitor centre is to be built giving access to an area of the landscape many visitors might not have been able to enjoy it before.

If you are part of a community group and would like to get involved in the replanting of Chute Wood contact Dunstable Downs by email at [email protected]