Photos: 250 trees cleared in Storm Darragh aftermath at Kinver Edge

A team of 25 volunteers and rangers worked for nine days to clear the hundreds of trees that had either been brought down completely or damaged in the extreme winds.

The trees that had to be removed included “veteran and conifer trees”, but after over a week of hard work, the site was able to safely open to the public again.

Images that have been released in the aftermath of Storm Darragh show a gaping hole that has now been left in woodland due to fallen trees.

Aerial footage shows the extent of the damage (Image: Ewan Chapman / National Trust) Ewan Chapman, Countryside Manager for the National Trust said that the company is increasingly having to “adapt and face the problems that climate change presents” and that “managing an ageing and over-mature conifer plantation in unpredictable/stormy weathers is no mean feat”.

He said: “The crop of conifer trees which was hit worst by December’s stormy weather stands on loose, sandy soils.

“This, coupled with high winds, is a really serious and potentially risky situation to manage. When one or two trees fail, more inevitably follow.”

“I’m really proud of the ranger and volunteer teams for all their efforts in clearing the storm debris and ensuring the site is safe and accessible for visitors.

“For everyone’s safety, it’s really important to stay away from the woods in stormy weather and we thank you for bearing with us whilst we carry out tree safety inspections and clearance work.

“Once the stormy weather has passed, and you return to the woods, please remember to stick to the main waymarked trails and Rights of Way.”