Passing over the next year, the earliest circumstance in order of time is the opening of the important colliery at Crump Meadow, and the construction of 1,200 yards of tramway, uniting it with the main line of the Bullo Pill Company above Cinderford, all which was executed by Mr. Protheroe.
We next find, under the date of March 16th, 1829, Mr. Machen observing—“Although the Scotch firs have succeeded so well as nurses for the oaks, and have brought them forward, making them healthy and thriving on land that without shelter would only have produced them stunted and unthrifty, yet I am inclined on the whole to prefer larch. They are a shelter available for the purpose, although not so complete; but by that means the oaks are not kept too warm and brought too forward, and the larch is more valuable in itself. In some of our cold valleys, however, the larch will not grow, the spring frosts cutting them off.” He also remarks—“We are now planting the oaks by the side of the road from ‘Jack of the Yat’ to Coleford Lane End, those at the White Oak, and opposite the Buckholt, and those leading to Eastbatch, having been planted in 1827 and 1828. The space of road left is about fifty feet. Most of the trees are brought from the Vallets Enclosure, and do not
cost more than four pence each to replant them. They are twelve to fifteen feet high, and a man can carry about two of them at a time. We are also planting the Lodge Hill about York Lodge, at the rate of 300 to an acre, leaving them without any fence.”
Upon the 6th of June this same year the sixth and last of the “Triennial Reports of the Commissioners of Woods,” &c., came out, signed Lowther, Wm. Dacres Adams, Henry Dawkins.
With reference to 1830, Mr. Machen’s note-book supplies the following memoranda:—“2nd March, planted trees on each side the road to Breem, also on the side of the Coleford Road below Bromley Enclosure, and about Catchcan Coal-works, continuing the avenue down the Long Hill, planting also the delves between Serridge and Sallow Vallets, at a cost of about four pence per tree, no fences being put round them. We planted also in the Greens of Russell’s Enclosure. Some pineasters and larch were likewise planted on the old Quarry Mounts, by the sides of the road leading from Park End to Coleford, as likely, if successful, to produce a good effect.
“(March, 1831, all died; renewed March, 1834—these mostly alive and flourishing.)”
“May 28th.—The most extraordinary blight is now upon the trees that I believe ever was known: it is confined entirely to the oak, and chiefly to the large trees, although in some parts it is extending to the young plantations. The whole of the High Meadow woods and great part of the Forest, particularly Russell’s Enclosure, and where the timber is thick, are entirely stripped of their leaves, and look as if fire had passed through them. Where a beech stands amongst them, it is perfectly green, and the oaks all around quite brown. The grubs and their webs are so thick, that it is disagreeable to ride amongst the trees, and like going into a net.”
On the 8th June, 1830, the First Annual Report of the Commissioners under the 10th Geo. IV., c. 50, was issued. It was signed by Lord Lowther, Wm. Dacres
Adams, and Henry Dawkins. Mr. Machen states in his Memoranda, that “this winter single trees were planted on Breem Eaves; triple rows on Clearwell Meend, by the roads on Coverham, on the Delves. We mended over the spots that have failed in Oaken Hill, Stapledge, Acorn Patch, Crab-tree Hill, Sallow Vallets (chiefly by drawing out where the trees are too thick). Most of the enclosures are now quite filled up.” And under date Nov. 1831, he gives the following statement of the several plantations:—
| Acres. | |
| Land now under plantation in Dean Forest, enclosed by Act of Parliament | 11,000 |
| Whitemead Park | 240 |
| Ellwood | 90 |
| Old Keeper’s Land (3) | 90 |
| ------ | |
| 11,420 | |
| High Meadow and Doward | 3,288 |
| Planted with single trees | 1,114 |
| Young trees of natural growth | 150 |
| Old timber | 528 |
| ------ | |
| Total | 16,500 |