Harlech Forest Resource Plan – Approved 4 July 2024
Location and setting
Harlech Forest Resource plan cover’s a total area of 136 Ha and is situated just north of the town of Harlech. The forest can be accessed from the A496 between Ynys and Harlech. It sits on the mouth of the Estuary to the Afon Dwyryd and Glaslyn. It also overlaps with Morfa Harlech and Morfa Dyffryn Special Area of Conservation and National Nature Reserve, which includes predominantly sand dune interest features. The forest sits entirely within Gwynedd local Planning Authority. It is also located within Snowdonia National Park.
Location map
Summary of objectives
The following management objectives have been agreed in order to maintain and enhance the resilience of ecosystems, and the benefits they provide:
- Continue to maintain a sustainable supply of timber production through design of felling and choice of restock species. Consideration of scale, size and timing of any clear-fell, avoiding the felling of adjacent coupes.
- Increase structural diversity through Low Impact Silvicultural System management both in pine and even aged broadleaf crops. Over time significantly more forest management will be done through Low Impact Silvicultural Systems and Continuous Cover Forestry, minimising landscape impacts and improving structural diversity.
- Diversify the forest species through careful consideration of restock and underplanting species especially where Corsican Pine that has been affected by Dothistroma Septosporum (Red band needle blight) and to improve age composition through coppicing and small coupe felling to increase resilience to pests and diseases.
- Restoration of Morfa Harlech and Morfa Dyffryn SAC interest features in line with the SAC Core Management Plan and Land Management Plan. The SAC area within the forest boundary will be managed to maintain and improve dune interest features of the SAC.
- Slowly develop the forest into a phased habitat, where the front of the forest will be prioritised for open dune habitat, through successional dune woodland, into mixed broadleaf woodland, and finally to productive pine forest on the landward side of the forest.
- Improve habitat connectivity by maintaining and enhancing habitat corridors.
- Remove larch due to phytophthora and to restock area with native species to maintain forest cover.
- Maintain and enhance recreation and to ensure that forestry operations don’t disturb the Wales Costal Path, and if necessary, the path to be diverted to allow operations to occur.
- Engage local communities to help develop local recreation within and around the woodland area.
- Identify heritage and cultural features to avoid damage and manage them to maintain their condition.
- Investigate opportunities to promote and educate the public on the historic features of the site.
Maps
- Map 1: Long-term Vision
- Map 2: Forest Management & Felling Strategy
- Map 3: Forest Types & Restocking
Comments or feedback
If you have any comments or feedback, you can contact the Forest Resource Planning team at frp@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk.