Forestry operations at Tunstall Forest
Tunstall Forest is a working forest producing sustainable timber. We are working in the forest as part of our long-term management programme for the Sandlings Forest area. This page provides more information about the work taking place.
What is happening?
Significant thinning and timber harvesting operations will begin in the north of Tunstall Forest from the middle of July 2026, carried out by an independent timber harvesting contractor on behalf of Forestry England. Thinning means selectively removing some trees to give the remaining ones more space, light and resources to grow well.
This improves the health, stability and resilience of the woodland while maintaining continuous forest cover. It also supports better tree form and future timber quality, and allows more light to reach the forest floor, encouraging ground flora and natural regeneration where conditions allow.
The programme is expected to continue for approximately 12 months, although exact timescales will depend on contractor progress and operational requirements. Over time, thinning helps create a more varied woodland structure, supporting the forest's ability to adapt to climate change, extreme weather, pests and diseases.
The timber from Tunstall Forest is certified as sustainably produced by the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).
Find out about the Forest Life Cycle here.
Why are Sandgalls Car Park and the Viking Trail closing for the harvesting?
Throughout the harvesting period, there will be forestry machinery, timber lorries and operational activity across the forest. To keep the public and our workforce safe, we need to close certain areas and put exclusion zones around active work sites. Due to the scale of the operation, Sandgalls Car Park and the Viking Trail will be closed for the duration of the harvesting works, which is expected to take approximately 12 months.
Sections of forest roads, gateways and other operational areas may also be temporarily closed or subject to safety restrictions as work progresses.
What is the future of the Viking Trail?
During the harvesting programme, we will work closely with contractors to protect the Viking Trail as far as is reasonably practicable. However, the extent and nature of the operations mean that sections of the existing trail will inevitably be affected, and it is unlikely that the trail will return in exactly its current form once the works are complete.
Once harvesting has concluded and the full impact on the trail network has been assessed, we will review future trail management options for the Viking Trail. Following this review, we will work with Forestry England volunteers and other stakeholders to help shape the trail's future, including opportunities to support restoration work and future improvements. Keep an eye on our website for updates about the project, reopening plans and future volunteer opportunities.
Can I still visit Tunstall Forest?
Yes. The forest remains open to visit, but Sandgalls Car Park and the Viking Trail will be closed for the duration of the harvesting works. Please follow all signs and closures at all times. These are for your safety, regardless of if you can see or hear us working. Forestry work is very hazardous. A falling tree can weigh several tonnes and hit the ground at nearly 60mph. If a harvesting machine chainsaw snaps, it can fly through the forest like a bullet.
Thinned areas may look a little untidy for a while, with branches and tree tops left on the ground. While people often associate tidy with healthy, in nature, the opposite is often true. Dead wood and brash provide food and shelter for insects, fungi, birds and mammals before gradually breaking down and returning nutrients to the forest.
What about the wildlife?
Tunstall Forest forms part of the internationally important Sandlings Forest Special Protection Area, home to species including woodlark and nightjar. Because this work is thinning rather than clear felling, it retains woodland cover while allowing more light into the forest, creating a more varied structure with a better-developed shrub and ground layer, more edge habitat, and improved conditions for a wider range of plants, invertebrates, and birds.
Before any forestry work begins, we carry out thorough ecological surveys to check for protected species, and we consider these findings alongside factors such as tree health, ground slope, soil condition and likely rainfall. There isn’t a single, perfect time of year for forestry work.
We continue to check for wildlife while working and will adapt, pause or suspend operations if we find any animal that must be protected.
Why do we harvest timber?
Harvesting supplies sustainably grown timber for construction, fencing, furniture, packaging and other products, supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy and reducing reliance on imported materials. Forestry also supports jobs and businesses across the supply chain, including forest management, harvesting, haulage, sawmilling and manufacturing. The majority of material from this thinning exercise will be processed by sawmills within the region, supporting rural employment and the wider local economy. Find out more about why we fell trees here.
Where can I find out more?
If you have any questions about the harvesting at Tunstall Forest, please email enquiries.eastfd@forestryengland.uk