The Forest

In this episode, Planning and Environment forester Bill Fisher surveys the vast forest and checks the health of the cash crop in a helicopter, where the bird's-eye view allows him to better spot any pockets of larch disease. Forestry Commission recreation boss Archie McNeillie attempts to balance the needs of the public with the needs of the timber industry by spray-painting some trees as a marker to the harvesters to save them so the public can still enjoy the scenic views. And Environment forester Gareth Ventress hires some traditional horse loggers to carry out a method called horse rolling in an area of dense bracken. Crushing the bracken using a horse is less damaging to the soil and allows light and space for oak saplings and native herbs and flowers to flourish.

This episode follows three truckers as they track down, load and ferry timber to mills in the UK.

Community liaison forester Lyndy Renwick must decide the fate of huts discovered on Forestry Commission land.

John Coughtrie and Archie McNeillie prepare safe standing places for the crowds at the Galloway Hills Rally.