On Wednesday, February 21, 2024, John Urquhart, the Chairman of Friends of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs, joined a team of volunteers to take part in the Woodland Trust’s tree planting initiative at the Glen Finglas estate. This effort is part of the larger Great Trossachs Forest National Nature Reserve project.
During the day, the group successfully completed the second phase of the planting, putting in a total of 200 hazel and 70 oak trees. This was done in an area of 0.33 hectares, with plans to plant a total of 150 oak trees and 500 hazel trees on a west-facing slope with well-drained mineral soil. Prior to planting, the area was fenced off to protect the new trees. All planting materials were sourced from seed found on the estate, and ongoing care will involve manual control of bracken and weeds in late May and July/August as needed.
The Friends of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs are eager to establish connections with conservation organizations within the National Park and are excited to continue working with the Woodland Trust in the future. In fact, there are already plans in motion to hold a volunteer “Make a Difference Day” later this year to further assist with tree planting on the estate.
This collaborative effort is a significant step towards promoting and preserving the natural beauty of the area. The successful completion of the tree planting project not only benefits the local environment, but also serves as a reminder of the importance of conservation and community involvement. For more information on this project and other conservation efforts in the National Park, visit https://pressat.co.uk/.
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