Pinewood Discussions

This group of landowners, foresters and ecologists had an interesting excursion to Mar Lodge Estate to discuss stand structure and succession in native pinewoods. The event run by the Royal Scottish Forestry Society was lead by Colin Edwards from Forest Research.


The group had a lovely walk along Glen Quoich through the native pine & birch woods. The results of the National Trust for Scotland's management of controlling deer numbers to allow natural regeneration of trees was showing signs of success. Good seedling regeneration of birch, alder, Scots pine and willow was evident along the Quoich

Great to see a more diverse range of species and ages of trees appearing in these ancient woodlands.

Scottish Native Woods at the Royal Highland Show

If you're at Ingliston during the RHS, then drop by the Forestry Demonstration Area to see Scottish Native Woods' Alstor in action

A quiet backwater..........

Here is a really nice bit of riparian woodland between the river Tummel and a quiet backwater. It is dominated by willows and especially alder, completely undisturbed, nice range of habitats with a number of watercourses flowing through it, as well as sitting water. The A9 is only 20 metres away!

Trees on screes

Native woodland fragments in Glen Lyon

Good and bad

The taller, light coloured plant here is himalayam balsam, an invasive species. The slightly darker, shrter plant is dogs mecury, an anicient woodland indicator plant.

Windblasted Atlantic Hazel

Visited a farmer on Seil to provide some support for a Rural Priority application for funding to help with the management of some Atlantic Hazelwoods. This face looks out over the Atlantic, so the hazel is already sculpted by the elements, however the early June gale has stripped the leaves from the hazel (in contrast to the ivy, which is still showing green). It's as if we're into late autumn already!
However it was a beautiful early summer's day: here's the view towards some of the slate islands. I was fortunate enough to be accompanied by two hazel champions, Brian and Sandy Coppins. Brian was just back from collecting his Linean Medal, and Sandy capped the day by finding a new site for hazel glove funghi.

Trees and Sheep

This week the Grampian Regional Forestry Forum had an informative and interesting visit to the James Hutton Research Station at Glensaugh in Aberdeenshire.

During the visit the group visited the experimental agroforestry plots where areas of Scots pine, larch and sycamore were planted at varying planting densities of 100 trees per hectare (ha) and 400 trees per ha. Agroforestry systems on the open hill combine pasture grazing for sheep with the trees providing shelter for livestock. The trees also add to the landscape quality of the local countryside.It was interesting to see a new area of agroforestry planted with ash. A sturdy supporting post is required to prevent the stock knocking the tree over as they are a preferred rubbing post. In the past ash was cut and used as fodder for livestock.

You can visit these plots yourself via a self-guided trail, find out more on the James Hutton Institute website.

Wood cranesbill

Bracken control

Cutting bracken is hard work, even with a scythe ...

... and pigs do the job better!

Scots Pine at Mar Lodge

Scots Pine regeneration in Glen Quoich

Closer......

FEI stall at Fife Show

For the first time the Howe of Fife FEI cluster group had a stall at the Fife Show. This was very successful. There were activities for children such as making insect hotels from bits of bamboo cane, and making picture frames from sticks. One of our cluster members is an expert in green woodworking and he showed the children how to make pencils from sticks.

Howe of Fife FEI cluster group

FEI stands for Forest Education Initiative. The aim is to re-connect people with woodlands. There are cluster groups all over Scotland comprising of organisations, and individuals.
We are always looking for new people. If you go onto http://www.foresteducation.org/ you can find your nearest cluster.

If you live in East Fife and want to be involved in the Howe of Fife cluster or want to find out more you can contact the secretary jane.holmes@fife.gov.uk or the chair chris.childe@scottishnativewoods.org.uk

Ten years on the Tay

This was an excellent event on the Tay by Dunkeld yesterday, celebrating 10 years since beavers were first spotted on the lower Earn. Scottish Native Woods have been taking an interest in this issue as it focuses attention on the riparian environment, and we provided some support for the day in domating our display boards and other other interpretative material.

What is that?

It is a beaver tail.........

Listening intently.........

Hugh Chalmers (right) was the first to spot a beaver on the lower Earn in 2001, when he was one of 8 people in canoes to witness the sight. Now working for the Tweed Forum, he has also been associated with the Borders Forest Trust and Reforesting Scotland.  Well done Hugh.

Kayaks on the Tay

A number of those present had came down the Tay be canoe and kayak from Ballinluig.

Cooncillor Bob.......

Councillor Bob Ellis, second right, says a few words of thanks to all those involved.

Ten years on the Tay

argent & sable

The argent and sable is a grand name for this day flying moth. This one was hanging upside down on a blade of grass in the evening light. There are two varieties of this endangered moth, one relies on young birch leaves as a food source.