Ancient wood blossoms
Branching out for tree future
If you go down to the woods today, you’re sure for a big surprise.
New life is quietly being woven into one of the oldest managed woodlands in Ayrshire.
The Fullarton Woods in Troon is a bird watchers paradise criss- crossed with quiet paths and bridleways.
They were planted in 1745 by new laird William Fullarton and over the centuries have been home to owls, peckers, Great Tits, tree creepers and warblers.
On the ground are secretive stoats and weasles and a group of roe deer are rarely seen by humans.
The woods are studded with beech, oak, horse chestnut and Sitka Spruce.
But decades of water- logging made many mature specimens vulnerable and many have fallen before their time or had to be felled.
Work over the past three years by the volunteers of Friends of Fullarton in partnerships with South Ayrshire Council and, perhaps rather unexpectedly, East Ayrshire Woodlands, is being transformational.
It culminated last Tuesday with children from all five Troon primaries and Marr College planting a new avenue of cherry trees on the boulevard to Wilson Avenue.
These native bloomers were chosen to provide a balance between the spectacle of the blossom and the provision of nectar for many pollinating insects, says Friends of Fullarton supremo Crawford Young.
Crawford said: “These trees are the first part in a campaign that will see nearly 600 trees of varying native species planted throughout the woodland.
“As this is a woodland for all, Friends of Fullarton were keen to involve the community in the planting.
“The Scottish Wildlife Trust ( Ayrshire) helped with preparatory work and showed the pupils how to plant.
“The work was funded by Troon transport solutions company CCL Logistics who have helped the Friends of Fullarton Woods progress their aim of returning the area to its former glory.”
East Ayrshire Woodland has provided six trainees to help with the tree work and removing invasive species including the wrong type of rhododendron.
The main car park is due to be resurfaced by South Ayrshire Council next month.
The bridle path from Marr Rugby Club to the end of Wilson Avenue will be shut to horses for several weeks for a surface upgrade.
For the first time it should eventually result in a mud- free surface with walkers being able to ditch wellington boots.
The woodland has always been popular with dog walkers who now share the space with toddlers on the Fullarton Fairy Trail.
South Ayrshire Councillor Ian Cochrane, environment leader, said: “The progress being made at Fullarton is a great example of different organisations working to a common goal to leave a positive legacy for the community.”
Nearly 600 native specials will be planted in the woodland