I have not been to Catbrook wood for about 5 weeks because I have not been in the UK. Today I went there and a few things had changed.
Most of the deciduous trees no longer have leaves…… there’s a surprise.
Someone has left me three small piles of garden refuse by the gate, presumably they could not be bothered to take it to the dump. I would rather this did not happen, mainly because the material contained some red berries and these could grow and introduce an unwanted species into the area.
Someone has erected a circular fence in what appears to be a random position about 50 meters from the gate. Here is a photo.
I am not sure what it is for but I am guessing that it is some form of experiment to see what happens to a bit of recently felled woodland if all grazing animals are excluded from it. One of my little plastic sleeves which protect young trees is inside the area so that tree is now doubly protected!
OK I have the explanation….. It was put up by the Deer Initiative and they have been monitoring deer in the area using cameras which are sensitive to movement. This fence is as I suspected to see what effect the deer grazing has on woodland regeneration.
It all looks quite a professional job so I suspect it is some agency rather than a private individual.
Here is another photo of it.
Ninewells Wood/Catbrook Wood 
Did they not ask permission before coming onto your land (assuming you own the wood) to erect fences, put up cameras etc.?
Well, they thought they had asked but maybe they had and maybe they hadn’t but its all sorted out now and it is fine. They had certainly asked permission to put the cameras up back in the summer.
Are you likely to have deer grazing on your little trees? The sleeves will protect from smaller animals like rabbits but I am a bit concerned that that is a very big fence they have put round your tree. Is it making you feel nervous? Amelia
Hi, yes there are deer in the wood and they do eat the trees especially the Rowan and Oaks but I am hoping that when there are lots of them some will survive. Also there is a chemical spray which you can apply and it deters the deer for about 6 months, it is called Grazers and is very expensive, but it may be needed.