New generation of aspen trees for the strath

Aspen is generally scarce in Scotland's native woodlands and supports a range of animal and plant species not associated with other trees. With better management, Aspen woodland has the potential to provide many benefits for nature conservation, landscape and even timber production.

Volunteers are growing Aspen trees from root suckers at Highland Aspen Group's nursery at the Highland Wildlife Park, but this method produces a limited supply of trees.

To address this, woodland charity Coille Alba set up a seed orchard in the Kincraig nursery a number of years ago in which aspen trees are grown in a polytunnel and encouraged to flower and set seed. Last year, this project bore its first fruit and grew more than 1000 aspen seedlings.

And Coille Alba's director John Parrott said: “This breakthrough really is a cause for celebration. Growing aspen from seed has many advantages and will allow us to plant new stands of Aspen throughout Strathspey and beyond."

Hebe Carus, the RSPB Futurescapes Officer, has been working with Coille Alba to identify suitable sites for planting and identified 'gaps' where Aspen is missing.

Hebe said: “Craigellachie National Nature Reserve looked like an ideal starting point. The reserve is managed by Scottish Natural Heritage, and supports only a few very small stands of aspen."

SNH planned a similar project at the time and Peter Duncan, local SNH reserves manager, said: "The timing couldn't have been better - as soon as Hebe approached me with the idea of planting aspen on the reserve, the project was a going concern."

Craigellachie is an important birch-dominated woodland and SNH has established a network of paths for visitors. The path to the top leads to a viewpoint which overlooks Aviemore and towards the Cairngorms. Visitors can enjoy a good woodland walk with a stunning view at the end and close to a built-up settlement.

During March a brave party of RSPB volunteers with Hebe and Peter planted out 100 young aspen trees in the Craigellachie Reserve and Peter added: “I look forward to seeing these young trees mature within the woodland and have their spectacular autumn colour appear each year for visitors to enjoy."