Project provides 20,000 new trees for Angus glens

The project by Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) is planting 20,000 native species along rivers and streams in Glen Doll and Glen Prosen.

Species include downy birch, aspen, rowan, willows, hazel, bird cherry and common alder.

When mature, the trees will help to shade the river, and fallen leaves will provide nutrients to support freshwater species such as salmon and brown trout.

Tree roots should also stabilise riverbanks when flow rates are high.

The project has been funded with a grant from NatureScot’s Nature Restoration Fund and as part of the River South Esk Catchment Partnerships ‘A Nature Rich and Climate Resilient Catchment’, involving other local landowners in a joint effort to support restoration across the catchment.

Sophie Cade, FLS planning forester, said: “The riparian tree planting is an important stage in our overall aims for FLS managed land in Glen Prosen and the wider Angus glens.

“It will support and complement our overall programme of work for river restoration, to expand native woodland and create wetlands. This will lead to a more balanced and resilient ecosystem which will increase biodiversity.

“We hope the native broadleaf species that have been chosen and planted will be part of a seed source to provide the basis for further habitat recovery through natural processes.

“The ambition is for riparian woodland to be part of a mosaic of wooded habitats that also includes denser valley side woodland, open wooded habitat – including wood pasture, and montane woodland.”

FLS staff are also using the project as an opportunity to involve local school children with the work as part of outdoor learning experiences.

Last year, almost 14km of fencing to exclude deer and rabbits from sections of the riverbank was put up to protect the young trees. It has been designed and sited to reduce the visual impact on the landscape which is within the Cairngorms National Park.