In December 2024, Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands was able to acquire Bennel Wood, 13-hectares of recently felled conifer Woodland near Dalbeattie. The ambition is to establish Bennel Wood as a ‘Woodland Laboratory’, trialling techniques and approaches that influence the natural regeneration on a recently felled site, with the wider community, ecological and income stream benefits that result.
By working with natural processes, this project aims to better understand the factors that influence natural regeneration on felled forestry sites, and the wide range of benefits than can be achieved.

Natural Capital Innovation Zone
The South of Scotland has been designated as the first ‘Natural Capital Innovation Zone’. This project aims to make use of this designation to explore opportunities on the site to harness ‘Natural Capital’ in the widest possible sense, from Community Wealth Building, through to Ecological benefits for all. We are very grateful for the support towards the project from South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE). For more information about the South of Scotland Natural Capital Innovation Zone, see here: https://www.investinsouthofscotland.com/nciz/.
History of Bennel Wood
Bennel Wood was likely planted around 1870 with the building of Auchenskeoch Lodge as a hunting lodge for the surrounding Auchenskeoch Estate.
From the symbols used on the above map it appears that the wood was a mix of broadleaves and conifers. Remnant trees to the northwest of the wood (before felling spring 2024) suggest a varied planting mix including lime and redwood, remnants of horse chestnut and sweet chestnut remain along the north eastern boundary.
The north west portion of the wood appears to be part of lodge wood and may have performed a more amenity function in conjunction with the lodge. The remainder of the wood may have been planted to provide shooting opportunities.
Bennel Wood – Today
Damaged by Storm Arwen in 2021, the site was felled and cleared in Winter 2023/Spring 2024.
A short video with January 2025 footage from the site is here:
In many places a line of boundary trees remains on the site – a mixture of Sycamore, Beech and others. Work has taken place on the site to form Brash and stumps into windrows, with access tracks formed around the site as part of the harvesting operations.
The woodland was purchased by Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands in December 2024.
Ambitions
We want to better understand natural regeneration processes on a felled site. The size of the site lends itself well to managing as a series of lots, trialling different treatments and approaches.
Treatments currently under discussion include:
- Different rates of Thinning/not thinning
- Companion planting with other species
- Different protection methods
Volunteering Opportunities
A key part of the project will be to share learnings and findings form the site. As part of that, we’ll be undertaking a range of educational and volunteering opportunities on the site. Watch this space for details, sign up as a member of Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands or email mcnabb.laurie@dgwoodlands.org for information.
Project Blogs
We will be posting a series of blogs on the project – coming soon…
Support
We are very fortunate to have been able to raise the money for site purchase. The Trustees have established a ring-fenced Bennel Wood Management Fund to contribute towards ongoing liabilities and costs associated with ownership of the site. This includes everything from public liability insurance through to site management costs.
Support is always welcomed towards this project – or any project undertaken by Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands. We will be exploring innovative mechanisms, such as sponsorship of a square metre of the woodland, gifts and products from the site or a ‘Bennel Guardians’ position with ongoing support. Watch this space for more info.
In the meantime if you were keen to financially support the work in the project, please contact mcnabb.laurie@dgwoodlands.org with any stipulations/targeting of the funds and we can provide the bank details for a transfer to be made.