Clearing ash with military precision

摘要

THE Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced, in January, the felling of thousands of ash trees infected with dieback on Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA). They are targeting trees that present a significant health and safety risk: alongside roads and public rights of way, and within woodlands used for military training. Ashdown Copse, a 130 ha woodland used for dry training, will be the first site cleared.When I visit in mid February, works are well underway. The site is spartan in places, chaotic in others. Relentless rain, thick grey chalky mud and piles of brash render some compartments passable only by machine. Where cleared, the landscape is spiked with seemingly desolate or fractured stems, reminiscent of scenes from the aftermath of Australia's wildfires. While signs did warn of unexploded ordnance, this 'scorched earth' look is temporary.