This is the last of the Occupation reports written on the work done by the Jersey Department of Labour which I have transcribed. It's a fascinating study of how trees were both felled, and then more planted after the way. I wonder how many trees we see today stem from that post-war planting!
German Occupation: A Report on Tree Felling and Afforestation.
Forestry Section.
Report on Tree Felling and Afforestation.
During the years under German Occupation the civil population was mainly dependent on hardwood blocks for its fuel supply. This demand had to be catered for wholly from local supplies and therefore entailed the felling of a very considerable number of trees around the countryside. Whilst every effort was made to protect, as far as possible, the natural beauty of the Island and preserve its amenities, it will be appreciated that a total felling of approximately 200,000 trees compelled very heavy thinning out to be undertaken in the Island’s woods, cotils, etc.
Tree felling and the subsidiary work of sawing and converting into blocks was one of the main sources of industry in the Island during the “ Occupation ” years, and provided work, in supplying an essential need of the civil population, for a great many men who would have otherwise been unemployed. It also enabled the various private sawmills and fuel merchants to keep their factories and plants in operation.
Tree felling throughout the Island was under the control of the “Forestry Section” of the Department of Labour which, in carrying out its task, utilised the Department of Labour's workers, divided into gangs of various sizes, according to the sites allocated to them by this Section. Sites were also allotted to private gangs of piece-workers, and also to gangs made up by saw-millers and fuel merchants in order to keep their workmen in constant employment.
In July, 1941, the Forestry Section was given power to requisition trees in the Island, for which a payment of 10/- per ton was made, and it aimed at procuring sufficient fuel to supply each household with two hundredweight of wood blocks per month for the six months October to March, and one hundredweight per month for April to December. This meant the felling of 1,600 tons per month for the six winter months, and 800 tons per month for the summer months, making a total of nearly. 15,000 tons annually.
The felling of this amount each year was achieved without laying bare large areas of Woodland, in fact many of the areas were so densely wooded and overgrown that the thinning out of them has distinctly improved their appearance and will be very beneficial to the remaining trees in future years.
In addition to these amounts, the Forestry Section granted permits to farmers enabling them to fell trees on their land according to their needs for farm requirements (instead of drawing a ration), and several thousand households in the country took advantage of this opportunity each year. Many thousand tons annually were also required for non-domestic purposes.
Tree felling has been in operation under our control on as many as 50 different sites at the same time, and our weekly output was maintained for a considerable period at between 450 and 500 tons. Owing to the long duration of the Occupation and the consequent diminishing sources of tree supplies, We were later unable to approach this total as the sites on which we were then engaged were often far distant from a roadway, and the timber had to be transported by hand to the nearest loading site, thus entailing considerable labour and furnishing a lesser output.
Soon after “ D ” day, with the consequent stoppage of supplies from Europe for the Germans, and owing to the anxiety felt by the German Military Command concerning the despoliation of shelter for their gun emplacements and other defences, orders were received that no further trees could be felled by the Civil Authorities until the Platz- komandantur had reviewed the situation.
Grave concern was felt by us at this stoppage as it was realised that, unless we could accumulate a stock during the summer months, the whole fuel situation would be desperate for the coming winter. The demand for wood fuel would be constantly increasing due to the cessation of the gas supply, and it was apparent that the bakers and communal ovens, etc., would be compelled to operate on wood now that there was no possibility of obtaining further supplies of coal.
After we had made repeated protests against this order and the Germans had made various accusations of sabotage, accompanied with their customary threats, we eventually managed to recommence felling, but numerous restrictions were levied on our work and we were not permitted to select the trees for felling or the site upon which felling could take place.
The Germans reserved for their own use all the most convenient areas upon which they felled thousands of tons of the finest trees, many of which we had endeavoured to preserve either for their beauty or for the essential shelter of agriculture. They allocated to us principally the gnarled pollarded trees (most of which were hollow) and any others which were situated in difficult places for felling and removal.
Furthermore, they insisted that each tree had to be viewed and marked off by their German Forestry Expert stationed in the District before it could be felled by any civilian, and ten Germans were appointed as Inspectors to patrol the Island to see that these instructions were not infringed. Great delay and endless trouble was occasioned by these regulations and, as can be assumed, a minimum number of trees was marked for the civilian population by these German Experts. At this period, facilities for the transportation of the timber from the country to the sawmills was rapidly diminishing and this also constituted a very serious handicap to our work.
After meeting the essential requirements of the bread bakers and communal ovens under these conditions, the balance of fuel was inadequate to supply a ration for all domestic households and it was therefore decided to commence a Public Allocation Scheme. Under this scheme, a householder was given the option of having a standing pollarded tree allocated to him which he could fell and transport for his own use in lieu of a ration of wood blocks. The weight of each tree was estimated and a charge of 6d. per cwt. was made in order to compensate the owner. Several thousand households took advantage of this offer and so eased, to a certain extent, one of the greatest hardships which the Islanders had to face during the last Winter of the “Occupation.”
The small branches of the felled trees were made into faggots, and we have furnished up to 20,000 of these per month. Many hundred thousand faggots were utilised as fuel for the baking of a large proportion of the Island’s bread supply.
The larger branches were set aside for the manufacture of charcoal, for which ‘there was an urgent demand from haulage contractors for cartage of essential goods in converted charcoal-burning lorries.
A large amount of selected Beech was secured and this was supplied to “Summerland” Footwear Factory for the manufacture of clogs and other wooden-soled shoes. Other “ serviceable ” timber, viz : Ash, Elm, Oak and Pine was kept apart and supplied to the timber merchants for sawing into suitable sizes to enable them to furnish the Island’s requirements of tool handles, coffin boards, etc., whilst quantities of Poplar were peeled and made into barrels for the storage of potatoes and grain.
The Germans continued felling right up to “V.E. Day” when the whole of their dumps of wood fuel was taken over by this Department. This quantity amounted to approximately 4,000 tons, which they were conserving for the Winter of 1945/1946, and, with brighter prospects ahead, we were thus enabled to discontinue the felling of trees.
In view of the vast amount of tree felling we have been compelled to undertake, we have always taken into consideration the vital need of afforestation, and under the Forestry Section a scheme has been systematically carried out for the replanting of trees to replace those which have been felled.
During the years 1942, 1943 and 1944, large numbers of young trees of many different varieties, viz : Poplar, Elm, Sycamore, Cypresses, Beech, Oak, Ash, Pine, Larch, Chestnut, etc., were planted out in woods and other sites throughout the Island. A number of these trees were purchased from local nurseries and many thousands of self-sown young trees, which were growing in profusion in the wooded areas of the Island, were thinned out and replanted on depleted sites.
In 1942 we acquired a plot of land at St. Lawrence and set up our own nursery. This will undoubtedly prove a great boon to the Island in respect of afforestation, and it has already been instrumental in enabling us to carry out a far more ambitious programme than would have other- wise been possible. The following year a smaller nursery was started at Gorey. These nurseries are at present well stocked with thousands of trees of good growth ready for planting out this coming Autumn, and large numbers for the following year. Our efforts have been mainly directed in raising trees of quick growing varieties, and suitable for local climatic conditions, and have therefore been concentrated on poplars, sycamores, pines, etc., but large quantities of oak, ash, elm and chestnut are also being raised.
A small consignment of pine seeds was purchased from France and sown in the nurseries, and this has now produced thousands of firmly established young trees which will be ready this Autumn for planting out around the countryside. Apart from this small purchase of seed, all the trees now being raised in the nurseries have been. procured (free of charge) from cuttings, from thinning out on various estates self-sown trees where the growth was considered to be too thick, and from seed collected by ourselves. Many thousands of privets, etc., are also being raised so as to enable farmers to replant hedges. where tree felling has taken place.
The “ Forestry Section ” is greatly indebted to Mr. I. D. Colledge who has acted as Honorary Forestry Advisor through all these difficult years. His expert knowledge and vast experience on all matters appertaining to Forestry have always been at the disposal of this Department. Any success we have achieved in afforestation and the setting up and stocking of the nurseries is mainly due to the advice and energies of this gentleman who foresaw the need of this undertaking and offered his services gratuitously for the benefit of the Island. We are very pleased to know that it is the intention of Mr. Colledge to continue this good work in the post-war years.
Besides refurnishing the estates, woods, etc., from which trees have been requisitioned, the afforestation is envisaged of several areas of the Island which have been barren for many years, viz: Jardin d’Olivet, Trinity; Five Mile Road District, St. Ouen’s and also the site of the new Marine Drive, St. John's, and it is intended to raise several hundred thousand pines and other trees for the carrying out of this plan which, it is felt, will be of material benefit to the Island as well as a welcome addition to its amenities.
W. W. Rattenbury,
Secretary,
Forestry Section.
Report on Tree Felling and Afforestation.
During the years under German Occupation the civil population was mainly dependent on hardwood blocks for its fuel supply. This demand had to be catered for wholly from local supplies and therefore entailed the felling of a very considerable number of trees around the countryside. Whilst every effort was made to protect, as far as possible, the natural beauty of the Island and preserve its amenities, it will be appreciated that a total felling of approximately 200,000 trees compelled very heavy thinning out to be undertaken in the Island’s woods, cotils, etc.
Tree felling and the subsidiary work of sawing and converting into blocks was one of the main sources of industry in the Island during the “ Occupation ” years, and provided work, in supplying an essential need of the civil population, for a great many men who would have otherwise been unemployed. It also enabled the various private sawmills and fuel merchants to keep their factories and plants in operation.
Tree felling throughout the Island was under the control of the “Forestry Section” of the Department of Labour which, in carrying out its task, utilised the Department of Labour's workers, divided into gangs of various sizes, according to the sites allocated to them by this Section. Sites were also allotted to private gangs of piece-workers, and also to gangs made up by saw-millers and fuel merchants in order to keep their workmen in constant employment.
In July, 1941, the Forestry Section was given power to requisition trees in the Island, for which a payment of 10/- per ton was made, and it aimed at procuring sufficient fuel to supply each household with two hundredweight of wood blocks per month for the six months October to March, and one hundredweight per month for April to December. This meant the felling of 1,600 tons per month for the six winter months, and 800 tons per month for the summer months, making a total of nearly. 15,000 tons annually.
The felling of this amount each year was achieved without laying bare large areas of Woodland, in fact many of the areas were so densely wooded and overgrown that the thinning out of them has distinctly improved their appearance and will be very beneficial to the remaining trees in future years.
In addition to these amounts, the Forestry Section granted permits to farmers enabling them to fell trees on their land according to their needs for farm requirements (instead of drawing a ration), and several thousand households in the country took advantage of this opportunity each year. Many thousand tons annually were also required for non-domestic purposes.
Tree felling has been in operation under our control on as many as 50 different sites at the same time, and our weekly output was maintained for a considerable period at between 450 and 500 tons. Owing to the long duration of the Occupation and the consequent diminishing sources of tree supplies, We were later unable to approach this total as the sites on which we were then engaged were often far distant from a roadway, and the timber had to be transported by hand to the nearest loading site, thus entailing considerable labour and furnishing a lesser output.
Soon after “ D ” day, with the consequent stoppage of supplies from Europe for the Germans, and owing to the anxiety felt by the German Military Command concerning the despoliation of shelter for their gun emplacements and other defences, orders were received that no further trees could be felled by the Civil Authorities until the Platz- komandantur had reviewed the situation.
Grave concern was felt by us at this stoppage as it was realised that, unless we could accumulate a stock during the summer months, the whole fuel situation would be desperate for the coming winter. The demand for wood fuel would be constantly increasing due to the cessation of the gas supply, and it was apparent that the bakers and communal ovens, etc., would be compelled to operate on wood now that there was no possibility of obtaining further supplies of coal.
After we had made repeated protests against this order and the Germans had made various accusations of sabotage, accompanied with their customary threats, we eventually managed to recommence felling, but numerous restrictions were levied on our work and we were not permitted to select the trees for felling or the site upon which felling could take place.
The Germans reserved for their own use all the most convenient areas upon which they felled thousands of tons of the finest trees, many of which we had endeavoured to preserve either for their beauty or for the essential shelter of agriculture. They allocated to us principally the gnarled pollarded trees (most of which were hollow) and any others which were situated in difficult places for felling and removal.
Furthermore, they insisted that each tree had to be viewed and marked off by their German Forestry Expert stationed in the District before it could be felled by any civilian, and ten Germans were appointed as Inspectors to patrol the Island to see that these instructions were not infringed. Great delay and endless trouble was occasioned by these regulations and, as can be assumed, a minimum number of trees was marked for the civilian population by these German Experts. At this period, facilities for the transportation of the timber from the country to the sawmills was rapidly diminishing and this also constituted a very serious handicap to our work.
After meeting the essential requirements of the bread bakers and communal ovens under these conditions, the balance of fuel was inadequate to supply a ration for all domestic households and it was therefore decided to commence a Public Allocation Scheme. Under this scheme, a householder was given the option of having a standing pollarded tree allocated to him which he could fell and transport for his own use in lieu of a ration of wood blocks. The weight of each tree was estimated and a charge of 6d. per cwt. was made in order to compensate the owner. Several thousand households took advantage of this offer and so eased, to a certain extent, one of the greatest hardships which the Islanders had to face during the last Winter of the “Occupation.”
The small branches of the felled trees were made into faggots, and we have furnished up to 20,000 of these per month. Many hundred thousand faggots were utilised as fuel for the baking of a large proportion of the Island’s bread supply.
The larger branches were set aside for the manufacture of charcoal, for which ‘there was an urgent demand from haulage contractors for cartage of essential goods in converted charcoal-burning lorries.
A large amount of selected Beech was secured and this was supplied to “Summerland” Footwear Factory for the manufacture of clogs and other wooden-soled shoes. Other “ serviceable ” timber, viz : Ash, Elm, Oak and Pine was kept apart and supplied to the timber merchants for sawing into suitable sizes to enable them to furnish the Island’s requirements of tool handles, coffin boards, etc., whilst quantities of Poplar were peeled and made into barrels for the storage of potatoes and grain.
The Germans continued felling right up to “V.E. Day” when the whole of their dumps of wood fuel was taken over by this Department. This quantity amounted to approximately 4,000 tons, which they were conserving for the Winter of 1945/1946, and, with brighter prospects ahead, we were thus enabled to discontinue the felling of trees.
In view of the vast amount of tree felling we have been compelled to undertake, we have always taken into consideration the vital need of afforestation, and under the Forestry Section a scheme has been systematically carried out for the replanting of trees to replace those which have been felled.
During the years 1942, 1943 and 1944, large numbers of young trees of many different varieties, viz : Poplar, Elm, Sycamore, Cypresses, Beech, Oak, Ash, Pine, Larch, Chestnut, etc., were planted out in woods and other sites throughout the Island. A number of these trees were purchased from local nurseries and many thousands of self-sown young trees, which were growing in profusion in the wooded areas of the Island, were thinned out and replanted on depleted sites.
In 1942 we acquired a plot of land at St. Lawrence and set up our own nursery. This will undoubtedly prove a great boon to the Island in respect of afforestation, and it has already been instrumental in enabling us to carry out a far more ambitious programme than would have other- wise been possible. The following year a smaller nursery was started at Gorey. These nurseries are at present well stocked with thousands of trees of good growth ready for planting out this coming Autumn, and large numbers for the following year. Our efforts have been mainly directed in raising trees of quick growing varieties, and suitable for local climatic conditions, and have therefore been concentrated on poplars, sycamores, pines, etc., but large quantities of oak, ash, elm and chestnut are also being raised.
A small consignment of pine seeds was purchased from France and sown in the nurseries, and this has now produced thousands of firmly established young trees which will be ready this Autumn for planting out around the countryside. Apart from this small purchase of seed, all the trees now being raised in the nurseries have been. procured (free of charge) from cuttings, from thinning out on various estates self-sown trees where the growth was considered to be too thick, and from seed collected by ourselves. Many thousands of privets, etc., are also being raised so as to enable farmers to replant hedges. where tree felling has taken place.
The “ Forestry Section ” is greatly indebted to Mr. I. D. Colledge who has acted as Honorary Forestry Advisor through all these difficult years. His expert knowledge and vast experience on all matters appertaining to Forestry have always been at the disposal of this Department. Any success we have achieved in afforestation and the setting up and stocking of the nurseries is mainly due to the advice and energies of this gentleman who foresaw the need of this undertaking and offered his services gratuitously for the benefit of the Island. We are very pleased to know that it is the intention of Mr. Colledge to continue this good work in the post-war years.
Besides refurnishing the estates, woods, etc., from which trees have been requisitioned, the afforestation is envisaged of several areas of the Island which have been barren for many years, viz: Jardin d’Olivet, Trinity; Five Mile Road District, St. Ouen’s and also the site of the new Marine Drive, St. John's, and it is intended to raise several hundred thousand pines and other trees for the carrying out of this plan which, it is felt, will be of material benefit to the Island as well as a welcome addition to its amenities.
W. W. Rattenbury,
Secretary,
Forestry Section.
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