These young beech trees are invading a SSSI site at the bottom of Glenlyon. There is an avenue of mature beech trees either side of the road, and they are now regenerating profusely. Beech casts a very dense shade and can out-compete other native trees and woodland flora. It is however a beautiful amneity tree, both in autumn and and in the spring time. Many people associate lower Glenlyon with beech. The big tree here in the middle is an oak, the natural native species on this site.
3 comments:
There is a lot of Beech regen like this in the glen- Oakbank at Bridge of Balgie for example.
I think it would be a good idea to coppice this beech for future firewood supplies and thus have a sylvicultural system- Coppice with standards. The beech stays as a low component of the forest floor and we encourage the natives (like Oak) to form a higher component. This way we get more use from the woodland and it is arguable more diverse.
Tom,
Beech does not coppice!!!
VC
It is interesting that there is this fairly recent flush of beech regeneration, considering the venerable age of the large avenue beech. The same phenomena occurs at Cawdor Wood. It may be worth commenting that both Cawdor and Glen Lyon SSSIs are considered to be in unfavourable condition for Site Condition Monitoring for the lichen interest. The dense canopy shade is the real problem.
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