The Native Woods Co-operative (Scotland) Ltd

We are experienced woodland advisors with over 80 years of experience between us, and we combine this with a refreshing and pragmatic approach to helping woodland occupiers to work out what they should do with their woodlands and associated open ground. We all have wider skills than just woodland management and can advise on a wide range of farm, deer, river conservation and wildlife management projects. We are happy to hear from other who might be interested in joining us.

Monday, 28 June 2010

As some of you may know we are a member of Bighearted Scotland, a consortium of charities who work together to raise funds for our very worthy causes. As part of this we hold an awards event in September to celebrate those people who give of their own time to help others. We are looking for nominations NOW.
Do you know someone who goes that extra mile to care for others or who raises vital funds for any charity? If you nominate them now they could be selected to attend the Gala Evening hosted by Lorraine Kelly, with awards being made by Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
A simple nomination form is on the link below.
Please visit http://www.bigheartedscotland.org/

You can also buy tickets to attend this gala event at the brand new Grand Central Hotel in Glagow on September 10th. We'd love to see you there.

Monday, 21 June 2010

A bend in the River Tay.......

Looking across to Griffin Forest

Aberfeldy in the distance

Broom in flower

Friday, 18 June 2010

By the river Lochay........

Fern

Closer......

Same shapes........

Monday, 14 June 2010

Our patron says hello

Our patron, Professer David Bellamy, said hello on Saturday when he came to Scotland to join the protest group 'Say no to Fallago'. This group are campaigning against the number of wind farms proposed for the Lammermuir Hills.

David said he was looking forward to seeing us all again soon when next visits one of our projects.

Saturday, 12 June 2010

Coralroot Orchid

Coralroot Orchid is a small, rather inconspicuous plant. It is not common, but probably overlooked, occuring in damp woodlands and dune slacks.

I have been observing a small colony of this rather unusual plant for a number of years. It is growing in a wet woodland close to my home near Loch Ness. The tallest flower spikes I have seen are about 15 cms in height.

Distribution

Coralroot Orchid is found most frequently in North East Scotland. ( Thanks to NBN for the map .... http://www.nbn.org.uk/ )

A spectacular alien

About 10 years ago, another plant arrived in the same woodland. Like Coralroot Orchid, Skunk Cabbage is also unusual, but in quite a different way. It has a large yellow flower spike and huge leaves up to a metre in length.

Space invader

Skunk Cabbage is a native of North America, and has become a problem in some wet woodlands. It can spread fairly rapidly, and crowds out native plants.

David and Goliath

Last year, I decided to take action, and tried digging up the Skunk Cabbage, but with little impact.

This year, the invader is starting to encroach on the diminutive native's territory - (note the 2 orchid spikes front stage)

Time for action

A close-up of David in Goliath's shadow.

So, (with the landowner’s permission) it's time to get a bit more serious. In mid May, I removed all the Skunk Cabbage flower heads as they started to set seed. Today, I mapped and marked all the coralroot spikes, so I will know which areas to avoid, and in late summer I am planning a careful application of glyphosate. Watch this space.