Overview

The River Balviag Tree Planting project seeks to increase native tree cover on the banks of the River Balvaig, which is part of the Teith SAC found in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Two projects have been carried out on the Balvaig so far, the first being the Stroneslaney Tree Planting Project.

During spring 2018, the Trust engaged with the landowner at Stroneslaney Farm on the River Balvaig to work in partnership, boosting riparian tree cover along the river.

Working with the landowner, 50 triangular enclosures and 200 single round enclosures were constructed to protect 500 trees (a mixture of willow, alder, downy birch and rowan) from the effects of browsing within the field. Enclosures were built with the help of volunteers over 4 days.

The next project on the Balvaig is the Witsend Tree Planting Project, which started in the 2022 season. This project involves the planting of another 500 trees on the opposing bank. This area of the project will consist of a different species mix with alder, downy birch, oak, willow, hawthorn and aspen. All trees chosen are based on tree surveys in the local and surrounding area to determine appropriate species.

Over a third of the trees planted will be aspen (Populus tremula), sourced from Scottish aspen seed provenance. Aspen is one of the most important native tree species we have, and populations are vulnerable due to the particular circumstances in which they reproduce. Aspen more typically spread through local cloning, rather than seed dispersal, meaning the spread of seed over long distances is less compared to other trees such as birch. This, along with them being particularly palatable to herbivores, means a focus on planting aspen is important to support many different mosses, lichens, invertebrates, birds and mammals.

Funder

With thanks to Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park

Landowner

With thanks to Stroneslaney Farm and Witsend Farm