Good progress is being made in our native woodland expansion project in the Tyndrum Community Woodland, as part of the Wild Strathfillan Project. The Trust have continually looked for opportunities to harvest and restructure the non-native coniferous elements of the woodland towards the further restoration of native species and increased woodland resilience. We have been granted felling permission to fell 7.14ha of the remaining conifer stands, leftover from the previous plantation (Felling Map). 

This will remove the largest remaining stands of non-native conifers, which will be re-placed with a mixture of native species such as Scots Pine, Birch, Oak, Rowan, Alder, Willow & Hazel. The native woodland expansion project will be achieved through two methods; natural regeneration and strategic tree planting. Natural regeneration typically provides the best results for increasing healthy ecological succession and improving the long-term woodland structure. Where biodiversity is the primary consideration, natural regeneration can be augmented with planting of species that are slower to colonise through natural regeneration. You can read more about our re-stocking strategy here.

We are now seeking permissions to install upgrades to the access infrastructure in the Woodland, to support the felling and extraction operations. Additionally, we are also re-drafting our Woodland Management Plan & Deer Management Plan to support the delivery of this project and the long term viability of our Community Woodland. We hope this work can be completed over the summer, with felling and re-stocking taking place towards the end of the year. If you’d like to hear more about the work going on the Tyndrum Community Woodland, please get in touch with our Woodland Officer euan@strathfillancdt.org.uk.  

The Trust decided to close the Tyndrum Shelterbelt after further significant damage was inflicted on the woodland by Storm Eowyn. We advise that members of the public should not frequent the woodland due to the number dangerous hazards which are present in the woodland. 

The Trust have decided that the best option for the Shelterbelt is to fell and replant, removing the possibility for continued wind and fell damage. As with any clear felling operation, there is a requirement to re-stock an equivalent area of woodland. As such, we need to understand what purpose this area of woodland should serve. Potential options include:

• A recreational community woodland consisting of native broadleaved and undergrowth species. This could also include reinstating the Gruffalo Trail and Forest Classroom.

• A productive community woodland consisting of native conifer species, such as Scots Pine. This would be managed as both a community woodland with a long-term timber production strategy. This could also include reinstating the Gruffalo Trail and Forest Classroom.

• A productive non-native conifer woodland, consisting of Sitka Spruce. This would most likely involve leasing the ground to a forestry management company for commercial plantation. This option would remove any option for recreation in the woodland. 

These options are not extensive, but do however give an indication of how the Shelterbelt can be managed in the future. We need to know what the community would like to see this woodland space used for, so please get in touch with our Woodland Officer euan@strathfillancdt.org.uk to have your views heard!