The Forestry Commission is to replace many of the conifers, which make up 80% of the forest, with oak and ash. The idea is to give a boost to wildlife that has suffered from loss of habitat.
The forest was planted after the war to aid economic recovery by shoring up the nation’s depleted timber reserves. Forester Alastair Cumming said: “Times have changes and so have attitudes. The blueprint recognises the vast potential of wood to deliver a multitude of benefits.”