Go Ape Whinlatter Protects its Forests!

It’s safe to say that we’re tree lovers at Go Ape. The forest quite literally makes our courses possible and we’re passionate about keeping them healthy and safe. If you keep track of our social media, you may have seen bizarre images of helicopters flying the tops of our treetops away at Go Ape Whinlatter.

Go Ape Whinlatter is one of our highest courses, sitting an astounding 1000ft above sea level. Perched up in the Lake District, Whinlatter offers unrivalled views across the Cumbrian hills and valleys. Unfortunately, within the past year some of our Larches have been hit by a destructive algae-like water mould called Phytophthora ramorum.

This was picked up by infrared cameras on a regular Forestry Commission tree check and, once Go Ape were informed, we acted quickly to stop the spread.  Excitingly, this operation took place in several different ways.

With the help of Forestry England and… several trees were felled with a good old-fashioned chainsaw. However, for other trees, we had to call in the chopper… We then cut the trees where necessary to stop any infected larch needles spreading the ramorum lower down and beyond.

Go Ape Site Manager Barry Hobbs said, “Protecting our Forests as well as our course is incredibly important. There has been damage throughout Whinlatter Country Park and everyone has pulled together to make sure that it doesn’t spread any further.”

Our Go Ape course does look a little different now, but we just think it just allows for even more unique experience and better views. Since, everything has been secured extra tightly and our trees and course are safe and ready for adventurers.

 Go Ape Whinlatter are also passionate about wildlife conservation in their forests. Our Whinlatter course is on the site of a Red Squirrel reserve and we have installed Squirrel feeders in our treetops to help protect this declining species.

 

If you would like to learn more about Tree safety and Maintenance check out the Forestry England blog, “Five reasons why it’s good to cut down trees”.