Big news from our woodland site
The Western Red Cedar trees that Landscape Therapy harvested last year have now been fully extracted. Watching those timber loads roll out was a genuine milestone because once the wood is gone, we can finally get on with completing the fencing that is so critical to protecting our Isle of Wight red squirrels.
“The crane making light work of the long cedar trunks, each load bringing us one step closer to completing the squirrel exclusion fencing.”
Why the Western Red Cedar Had to Go
Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) is not a native species to the Isle of Wight, and in dense stands it can significantly reduce the biodiversity and ecological value of a woodland.
Working in partnership with Landscape Therapy, we agreed that carefully managed felling and extraction was the right course of action. The trees were felled last year, the timber was cross-cut and stacked, and now, after months of preparation and planning, the haulage operation has been completed.
This is managed woodland work at its most purposeful. Every log that left this site represents progress towards a safer, more resilient habitat for our red squirrels.
What Happens Next: Completing the Fencing
With the extraction complete, we can now move into the next critical phase of the project: finishing the fencing. This fencing is the backbone of protecting our woodland and its function as a safe haven for red squirrels, affording a much needed physical barrier to protect and preserve the work that we are doing here.
Getting the fencing finished has been dependent on completing the timber extraction and now our fencing team can get to work.
We will be sharing updates as the fencing progresses, so please do follow us to stay up to date with this.
“Loading cedar poles ready to go.”
“the final trailer leaving through the gate. This is a moment we have been working towards for a long time.”
Not All of This Wood Is Saleable Timber, And That’s Where You Come In
Commercial timber extraction is efficient, but it is never total. The saleable logs; the long, straight, clean-grained poles; have gone to market. But as with any real woodland operation, there are leftovers: sections with forks, curves, checks, burrs, and character. This is wood that a sawmill won’t process, but that a craftsperson will immediately recognise as something special.
Western Red Cedar is a remarkable wood. It is naturally aromatic, lightweight, resistant to rot, easy to work with hand tools, and visually beautiful. It has a warm reddish-brown heartwood and fine, even grain. Even the off-cuts and smaller sections have enormous potential.
“The leftovers, non-commercial cedar sections and off-cuts that remain on site. Full of potential for the right creative hands.”
Could You Help Us Turn Leftover Wood Into Funds for Red Squirrels?
We are looking for talented, creative people who would be willing to make auctionable items from our leftover Western Red Cedar. This would be in exchange for keeping some of the wood for themselves.
Items that could work brilliantly include:
- Turned bowls, platters, or vessels
- Carved woodland animals (red squirrel carvings are always popular)
- Rustic furniture or garden pieces
- Stools, side tables, or shelving from the larger sections
- Jewellery, small gifts, or decorative objects
- Aromatic cedar products – drawer liners, sachets, offcut bundles
Anything created would be auctioned to raise funds directly for our red squirrel work and the continued restoration and preservation of our woodland here on the Isle of Wight. You get beautiful, characterful wood to work with. Our squirrels get the support that they deserve.
If you are a woodturner, carver, furniture maker, sculptor, or just someone with a creative eye and a love of working with natural materials, we would love to hear from you. Please get in touch at admin@iowredsquirreltrust.co.uk .
A Word of Thanks to Landscape Therapy
None of this would have been possible without the expertise, care, and professionalism of the team at Landscape Therapy. Conducting a timber extraction operation in a sensitive woodland requires skill, ecological awareness, and a genuine commitment to doing things properly. Landscape Therapy brought all of that, and the site is already beginning to respond positively. We are deeply grateful for the partnership.
Follow Our Progress
The completion of the cedar extraction is a significant milestone, but the work is far from over. In the months ahead, watch out for updates on the fencing installation, habitat improvements, and our on-going work at the woodland and across the Isle of Wight.
🗓️ 2027 Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Trust Calendar
Sponsor a Page. Support the Island.
Our 2027 calendar showcases the extraordinary wildlife and landscapes of the Isle of Wight through the lenses of the island’s own brilliant photographers. It is a publication that will sit on desks and walls across the island and beyond for an entire year — and we have two ways for your business to be part of it.
Month Sponsorship — £150 12 opportunities — one per month (only 3 remaining)
- Your business name and logo featured prominently across your sponsored month’s full page
- Listed as a supporter in all promotional print and digital materials
- One complimentary calendar (additional copies available to purchase)
- Direct funding of Isle of Wight red squirrel conservation, publicly demonstrating your commitment to both red squirrels and a dedicated Isle of Wight charity
Supporter Square — £30 12 opportunities — logos featured together on a shared page (only 7 remaining)
- Your business name featured in a supporter square on our shared supporter page
- Listed as a supporter in digital promotional materials
- One complimentary calendar (additional copies available to purchase)
- A meaningful, affordable way to ally with us and publicly demonstrate your commitment to both red squirrels and a dedicated Isle of Wight charity
Whether you’re a sole trader wanting to show your values or an established business looking for year-long local visibility, there’s an opportunity here for you. All proceeds go directly to the Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Trust and the work that we do here on the Island.
To learn more about sponsorship and to secure your slot, click here.
Helping nature find its way back to the light, one leaf at a time.
We know that you care about the future of red squirrels; one of Britain’s most iconic and endangered native mammals; so if you feel moved to do so, please do share this post, follow our channels, and consider supporting the Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Trust.