9th December 2024
Balnagown Estate Plans New Native Woodland on the Northern Estate
Balnagown is excited to make public their plans to create a new native woodland near Rosehall in Sutherland at the end of next year. The specific area lies approximately 2.5 miles west of Rosehall and starts on the lower reaches of the Tutim Burn (tributary of the River Oykel) and stretches 2.2 miles upstream into Coir and Laoigh. The proposed woodland comprises an area of just over 495 acres with the potential to increase by a further 198 acres at a later date.
This project could sequester in the region of 22,000 tons of CO2 and this week consultation documents and accompanying maps have been sent out to stakeholders and neighbours in this the northern part of the estate. All going well planting should commence in winter 2024/2025.
The aim of the proposed planting is to create a woodland habitat along the Tutim Burn to increase ecological diversity, preserve peatland habitat, and increase the carbon store. Trees planted directly lining the river will also help cool the water temperature through the effects of shading as well as aid in soil stabilisation. The seasonal shedding of leaves will contribute varied organic matter which will enhance biodiversity thereby supporting different aquatic insects and micro-organisms.
This project will bring multiple benefits to the local area, enhancing biodiversity, protecting water systems and capturing carbon
Bill Stalker, Savills Senior Forest Manager, Inverness.
The species planted will consist in the main of a mixture of Downy Birch, Willow, Rowan, and Scots Pine whilst the area immediately along the Tutim will also include Aspen and Alder. A deer management fence will have to be put in place to protect the young plants.
There are around 310 acres of deep peat within the designated area, however, the peatland will remain untouched and will be protected from any planting or surface damage. Not only does peatland store large amounts of carbon it is home to a diverse amount of species and holds 4x as much water as any other soil.
This project is part of the estate’s wider environmental improvement works currently being undertaken which includes both peatland restoration and woodland creation. Parts of this native woodland creation project march with our peatland restoration project at Carn Beag. The ultimate aim is to create a corridor of native woodland from the banks of the Oykel all the way up to the tree line on Beinn Rosail, this planting would also create a buffer between the commercial plantations to the west and the recently restored peatland to the east.
