Walking limited for tree felling
The Falls of Bruar are a popular walking spot Hillwalkers are being warned access to the Falls of Bruar near Blair Atholl will be seriously restricted over the next few months so that trees can be felled to stop the spread of a disease.
A spokesperson for Atholl Estates announced yesterday it will be pressing ahead with “essential tree felling operations” over the winter period to clear a 20ha area at Bruar Falls after experts confirmed the presence of Phytophthora ramorum - more commonly known as larch disease.
Forestry Commission Scotland has served Atholl Estates with a Statutory Plant Health Notice which requires the affected larch to be felled by the end of February 2018. As a result, access to Bruar Falls core path will be “severely limited” between now and then, a spokesperson said.
It was also confirmed yesterday that some felling will have to take place in the gorge itself and a date for completing this work is to be agreed by the end of December.
Julian Clarke, head of rural enterprises for Atholl Estates, commented: “Larch trees contribute significantly to the unique character of the Perthshire landscape which, as Big Tree Country, also features some important and historically significant larch trees.
“Felling the diseased trees at the Falls - and the surrounding trees that are potentially carrying the disease – will go a long way towards minimising the impact of the disease across the area.
“We appreciate that this work will be disruptive and upsetting for visitors, businesses and members of the public but unless steps are taken now, the environmental and economic impact for Perthshire could become significantly worse.”
Phytophthora ramorum has affected a number of sites across Scotland, mainly on the west coast. Experts say a particularly intense and severe outbreak in south west Scotland in 2012 resulted in approximately 5000-6000 hectares of larch being infected.
Dr Anna Brown, head of tree health with Forestry Commission Scotland, said yesterday: “We are working with Atholl Estates as they develop an acceptable plan of action to deal with the affected trees.
“We would urge all landowners and forest managers to stay vigilant and report any symptoms of tree diseases at the earliest opportunity.
“Early reporting – and good biosecurity practice – are the major advantages we have in the ongoing effort to protect the health of Scotland’s forests.”
Information about Forestry Commission Scotland’s biosecurity campaign, Keep it Clean, is available online.
We appreciate this work will be disruptive and upsetting