Reckless ‘amateur Lumberjacks’ doing more harm than good

The call comes as staff in one region liaise with Police Scotland about one individual who was caught with a chainsaw, cutting storm-damaged trees without any safety gear, without any authorisation or any understanding of the risks to either themselves or the public.

FLS Chief Executive, Simon Hodgson, said: “We understand that people are frustrated that many trails and forests remain closed but taking it upon themselves to venture in to the woods with a chainsaw is not helping.

“Chainsaw work, even with highly skilled and experienced people, is still one of the highest risk occupations in the UK, and clearing windblown trees is the most dangerous aspect of that work. At FLS we aim to do as much windblow work as possible using mechanised harvesting machines, rather than chainsaws, to reduce risk to life.

“No matter how well-intentioned, amateur lumberjacks are putting at risk life and limb – not only their own but also those of our staff and contractors – who have to make safe their amateur efforts.”