Ten hectares of trees in a Gwynedd forest are set to be harvested.

This comes as part of the Bethesda and Abergwyngregyn Forest Resource Plan, developed in 2021, aimed at diversifying species and creating a more resilient forest for the coming years.

The harvesting, which is planned to take place between the end of November and the end of January 2025, will be conducted by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) in the north-west corner of Parc y Bwlch, near Bethesda.

The timing of the felling has been planned to avoid the red squirrel breeding season and most bird nesting periods.

According to NRW, conservation checks will be carried out before any work begins.

Directional felling will be a technique used by contractors to allow any wildlife to retreat to nearby trees.

Kath McNulty, NRW's team leader for North West Wales Forest Operations, said: "This work will include larch trees at Parc y Bwlch which have reached a good size for harvesting.

"Sadly in Wales, larch trees are susceptible to Phytophthora ramorum, a fungal disease that kills them and the disease is spreading rapidly.

"Harvesting the trees before they become infected helps slow the spread.

"When replanting, larch will no longer be used.

"As part of the work we are carrying out environmental surveys to reduce the impact on the environment.

"We would like to thank members of the public for their understanding during the work."

A series of guided walks, held last year, aimed to keep residents and stakeholders in the loop about the plans for the forest.

Some of the harvested trees will also be made available for sale to community groups.

The forest, including footpaths, will remain open to visitors, with the public asked to follow all signage and instructions from staff while on site.

According to the organisation, felled timber, that will processed into durable products, will be removed from the site until the end of April if necessary.

The haulage route will be along Lon y Grug, over the Bwlch towards Rhiwen, and onto the A4244.