Scottish Native Woods May 08 Staff Meeting

Our quarterly staff meeting this spring was held in the north-east, hosted by our North-east Manager, Carol Robertson. Here, Carol is seen in discussion with FCS Woodland Officer Steve Brown from Grampian Conservancy in Huntly. Steve was outlining his role with FCS in helping with mapping and identification of our ancient trees.

To enlarge any of these photos, simply click on the image.

You're so tall, you're so tall...........

New Communities and Education Officer Chris Childs in deep discussion with Fundraising manager, Dianne Laing.

Giant Hogweed

At this site, Scottish Native Woods had organized the removal of non-native sycamore, and the spraying of the invasive plant species Giant Hogweed. This plant has escaped treatment, so some follow-up action will be required here.

Wellheads Farm, Huntly

This is Wellheads farm at Huntly, another Scottish Native Woods North-east site, where establishing native woodland habitat networks has been the key theme. In this picture, you can also see Brown Hill, a commercial plantation forest managed by Forest Enterprise Scotland (FES).

Riparian Woodland Planting 1

Trees have been planted here to provide a habitat network linkage between the native woodland fragments higher up with the native woodlands further down the valley on the Deveron. The tree tubes are planted at an average 3 X 3 metre spacing, and they will prevent browsing from roe deer, as well as rabbits and hares.

Riparian Woodland Planting 2

And looking down the same watercourse.......

Brown Hares

We saw a huge number of brown hares today, enjoying the fresh spring growth on the grass fields. These fields are in organic conversion, and there is a lot of rough grazing around as well, so habitat for hares is very good. Luckily, all our trees are in tubes......

Holly

Holly stands still just long enough for the camera to focus on her. Well done Holly, a VERY well behaved little doggie.

Recording information on Ancient Trees

FCS Woodland Officer Steve Brown outlines his recording sheet for collecting information on our ancient trees, in this case, a line of ash trees. Steve is seconded from FCS to the Woodland Trust to help develop this project, and he took time out this morning to show our staff how information was collected, and how we might help in the course of our normal work. Thanks go to Steve and FCS for hosting part of our staff meeting today.

Interpreting an old alder wood on the River Deveron floodplain

Scottish Native Woods director Gordon Gray Stephens outlines the difficulties in interpreting the past history of some of our older native woodlands. This looks like a very old alder coppice stool, but it might not be........ Northeast Manager Carol Robertson and FCS Woodland Officer Steve Brown nod in agreement.

Simon Speaks

Central Lowlands Manager Simon Lockwood explains his thinking on modern machinery, regeneration and woodland grants schemes, and the world in general....

Domestic Arrangements

Accommodation for the trip was provided at the bunkhouse at Drummuir. Here, Simon illustrates his prowess in the kitchen (while Alison and Gordon really do all the work). New boy Chris looks on in amusement. What has he let himself in for........??