Brechfa Forest Garden

After privatisation of our forest by the Labour Government in the late 1930’s  the policy was to clear fell the mixed species forest and replace with conifer plantations. 

Reports  by Forestry Commission from the time make repeated mention of the anger throughout the community at this policy.  

In the 1940’s  a research project was started in Brechfa Forest to study the practicality and profitability of growing a wide range species in UK forest style conditions.    89 plots of trees were planted.   At regular periods since then assessments of the successful establishment of the plantations and the growth patterns of each species have been recorded.

In more recent years this research project has become even more significant.     Climate change and increases in the diseases effecting the commonly planted species in UK forests have increased the importance of the data gathered from this  unique research site.      

Not only are the plots of interest to those considering planting trees for timber on farms and in forests.  They are also vital as a seed bank.   Some of the plots contain species which are classified as endangered or very rare.   Seeds must be fertile to germinate, so the best place to harvest them is places where there are groups of trees, and therefore cross pollination and fertilisation are likely.

We have had access to grant funding to enable the records of the forest garden to be digitised.   Volunteers are working on a project to display those records in a user friendly format.   In the mean time,   you can see the original documents on our older website.