The primary goal of this project is to determine the suitability of mechanised planting for restocking operations. The trial focuses on evaluating both planting quality and operational output, helping to inform future forestry practices in the region.
The trial is ongoing, with monitoring plots being established to measure stocking densities. Detailed plant quality assessments are also being carried out, including checks on planting depth, firmness, exposure, and overall planting accuracy.
Forestry operations in the Isle of Man face a shortage of experienced contractors, particularly for restocking work. This trial is significant as it explores a more efficient, mechanised approach that could deliver consistent planting quality, reduce reliance on limited contractor availability, and streamline multiple operations into a single process. The Bracke planting head enables mounding, brash raking, and planting to be completed in one pass, offering a practical solution to current resourcing challenges.
Many forests in the Isle of Man are overstood, having exceeded their maximum mean annual increment’ (MAI). Following harvesting,large stumps remain, which can:
· Restrict mounding space
· Impact planting alignment
· Affect overall stocking density
These challenges are being addressed through skilled machine operation. An experienced operator, with several years of using mechanised planting heads on restock sites, is ensuring:
· Precise mounding close to stumps
· Maintenance of target stocking densities
· Consistent planting quality across varied ground conditions
These challenges are being addressed through skilled machine operation and careful on-site management. An experienced operator, with several years of using mechanised planting heads on restock sites, is playing a key role in delivering the trial to a high standard. Their expertise ensures precise mounding close to stumps, the maintenance of target stocking densities, and consistent planting quality across varied and often challenging ground conditions. This level of control and consistency is critical to the success of the trial and helps maximise overall site performance.
The trial uses a Bracke P11.a mechanised planting head mounted on a Hitachi ZX210LC excavator. The system currently holds up to 72 trees, with the potential to expand capacity to 196, enabling high levels of productivity on site. This setup allows multiple operations to be carried out efficiently in a single pass, helping to maximise output while maintaining consistent planting quality.
Initial planting quality assessments are highly encouraging:
· 95.2% of trees pass the “tug test”
· 97.1% planted at correct depth
· 98.75% correctly planted with no exposed cells or air gaps
· 99.2% planted upright
These results demonstrate strong potential for achieving consistent, high-quality restocking through mechanisation.
Key advantages of this approach include:
· Reduced ground pressure by combining multiple operations into one
· Improved planting consistency, supporting lower mortality rates
· A viable solution to limited contractor availability in the region
While the trial phase will run for several weeks, long-term success will be assessed through ongoing monitoring and evaluation. This will include measuring tree survival through beat-up surveys, tracking growth rates, and reviewing overall site performance over time. These insights will help determine the effectiveness of the approach and inform future operations. There are also opportunities to further refine the process, including the potential use of higher-capacity planting heads to improve efficiency and productivity.
.jpg)
