Plouray forest

Close to the rivers called Ellé and Aër, the Plouray forest is located within the place known as "Le Golo", in the Morbihan region of Brittany. This region get its name from the Gulf of Morbihan, which means "little sea" in Breton.
Perched at an altitude of 260 metres, this forest is home to significant biodiversity, and is part of the type 2 ZNIEFF. The ZNIEFF is the French acronym designating natural zones of ecological, fauna and flora interest. Type 2 includes largely unspoilt natural spaces with significant biological potential. This natural area is home to 2 of the 37 plant species of very high heritage interest in Brittany, fish species of European interest (Atlantic salmon, European bullfish), a large number of European otters across the bay, as well as numerous wetlands (bogs, heathland), etc. The entire forest is located on the granite massif of Rostrenen, and benefits from a good amount of rainfall (over 800 mm/year).

Nearly 10 hectares of this forest were planted in 2018, both on former farmlands and on a clear-cut area carried out by the previous owner. The target species planted there were Sitka spruce, Douglas fir, red cedar and birch.
In 2021, a manual clearing was carried out on the planting lines. The results of the planting were very positive, and only a few areas required new plantations. In addition, a natural fertiliser was applied to the Douglas fir trees to encourage their growth.
In 2022, our teams carried out some inter-row mulching to maintain the planting lines, before carrying out a second round of beating up. "Beating up" is a forestry term which refers to the replacement of newly planted trees which have died. Even with the best planting and management, a small percentage of trees will not survive the first season.

In 2021, we planted a 150 metre-long honey hedge has been planted to support the life of pollinating insects.
Furthermore, our sustainable forestry management aims to protect and enhance the diversity of plant species already present on the plot including: ferns, brambles, gorse, holly, thistles, wild blueberries, etc.