Appeal as 300 trees looted from riverbank Native species are crucial for biodiversity
TRUST ‘SADDENED AND ASTONISHED’
Three hundred trees have been stolen from the banks of the Endrick Water, near Killearn.
Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust this week issued an appeal for information over the theft which they said happened sometime between Friday, February 26, and Tuesday, March 9 at Drumtian, near the village.
The 300 trees were planted at the end of February and consisted of a variety of native species, such as oak, alder, birch and dog rose.
They were in the region of 40-60cm in length and were protected by biodegradable tree protectors which were fixed to the ground using canes.
The Trust had a further 200 trees, of the same varieties, to plant this week.
Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust operations manager, Malcolm MacCormick says the theft could have a lasting impact on the waterway.
He said: “In the autumn we planted around 1,500 trees further up the Endrick valley and over the course of the winter only lost a handful of specimens to flooding and deer predation. Therefore to lose 300 in one go is extremely annoying.
“The trees were planted as part of the NatureScot biodiversity challenge fund and our aim was to reinstate native tree cover along the banks of the Endrick Water. Tree planting helps stabilise banks, preventing erosion and loss of farmland and probably, most importantly, they would help prevent the Endrick widening and becoming shallower, this is crucial as global warming will raise the temperature of our waterways and without shade and depth the temperature of the Endrick could end up being too high to sustain juvenile salmonid species, such as salmon and trout, over the course of the summer.
“In addition, once the trees start to grow they then provide shelter for fish species and encourage invertebrate life along the river banks, this provides additional food sources for fish and other wildlife.”
The theft has been reported to the police.
Mr MacCormick added: “Due to the theft we will have to re-assess whether we can securely plant trees in this area again. We have a couple of field cameras that we could deploy, but it is really sad that things should have to come to this. A few people have suggested it could be deer, however, there are no signs of damage to the tree protectors we placed the trees inside, some of which had been replaced. Moreover we found a tool lying around the site that we believed was used to dig up the trees.”
Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust took to Facebook to tell of its “astonishment” and sadness over the incident.
They posted: ‘It is with nothing short of astonishment that we have to inform you that between February 26 and March 9 approximately 300 trees, along with a number of supports and protectors, that we planted on the banks of Endrick water at Drumtian near Killearn, were stolen.
‘We are saddened by this thoughtless and selfish act and have reported the theft to the police.
“Given this area is popular with walkers and cyclist should anyone recall seeing anything out of the ordinary between the above dates can you please contact us with any relevant information.’
It is really sad that things should come to this Malcolm MacCormick