Kildermorie Native Woodland
Bringing riparian woodland and montane scrub to the denuded slopes above Loch Morie, providing low density woodland habitat and cooling the headwaters of the River Averon. 54,000 trees will be planted to provide a seed source for natural regeneration of native tree species and montane woodland including downy birch, scots pine, rowan, juniper and alder.
What we are doing
There are a very small number of isolated trees that remain from the historic woodland, however due to high deer browsing pressure, they cannot take hold on their own. Thanks to our partnership working with Kildermorie Estate, we will be planting 54,000 trees to replenish the seed source on the hills above Loch Morie. We contracted Tracks Ecology to complete a number of baseline surveys to ensure that we will not be negatively affecting any local populations, peatland or protected species and to be able to evidence the effect on local biodiversity once the woodland takes hold once again.
Why it matters
Bringing back montane (mountain) woodland has a very positive effect on the local landscape and for the catchment as a whole. Mountain woodlands help to stabilise steeper slopes which reduces the chances of flooding, landslides and rock falls by creating interconnected root systems that hold the soil in place. They also provide a vital source of shelter and food for a number of rare and specialised species, with birds and invertebrates benefiting the most from these habitats. The creation of these woodlands can also act as a carbon sink, which help to mitigate the effects of climate change on both a local and global level.
Active
Native woodland restoration
SSEN
Kildermorie Estate
140 hectares of hill ground
2024
