Birch Grove Woodland Regeneration: A Personal Journey
- Birch Grove Cabin
- May 1
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 8
Creating a small area of birch woodland on our croft has been a rewarding experience. In 2016, we made the decision to exclude sheep from our land. The following year, we were thrilled to see birch saplings growing in large numbers. We identified the tallest and healthiest saplings and marked them with wooden stakes. This approach allowed us to locate them amidst the long grass and prevented them from being trampled. We were able to mark approximately 300 saplings.
Protecting Our Young Trees
In 2018, we faced a new challenge. A number of deer were spotted jumping over the boundary fence. All of the hard work we put into identifying the saplings was now at risk of becoming a buffet for these animals! To tackle this challenge, we made the decision to add deer fencing around the boundary. This step ensured the young trees would be protected from potential damage.
The area is exposed to prevailing southwesterly winds and is located close to the loch shore. This positioning subjects our birch grove to frequent salt spray, especially during stormy weather. To support the young saplings' early growth, we added tree guards around them. Once the leaf growth emerged beyond the tree guards, we carefully removed and saved them for future use.
Ongoing Maintenance and Access
To facilitate ongoing maintenance, we created access routes through the sapling area. This allows us to not only care for the trees but also plan for future timber harvesting for firewood.
As we fast forward to 2025, the saplings have transformed into healthy young trees, thriving in their environment. We've also noticed a few random rowan trees emerging, which we have chosen to encourage as well. The burgeoning trees now provide vital cover for a variety of wildlife. Small birds, mammals, and even reptiles frequently inhabit the area, creating a vibrant ecosystem.
Interestingly, this thriving habitat has attracted a buzzard. It often perches on the gate post, carefully scanning the ground before swooping down to catch its lunch.
Nature's Beauty in the Grove
The edges of the access tracks are adorned with bluebells, establishing a beautiful display. Along the stream and drainage ditches, wetland plants such as marsh marigolds, cuckoo flower, ragged robin, purple loosestrife, orchids, and meadowsweet can also be found growing. Each of these plants contributes to the rich biodiversity of our grove.
According to the Scottish Forestry Strategy:
"2019-2029 presents a 50-year vision and 10-year framework to action, expand, protect and enhance Scotland's forests and woodlands."
Benefits of woodland expansion, as highlighted by NatureScot (Scotland's Nature Agency), include:
"richer and more diverse habitats
enhanced landscapes
carbon sequestration and storage
timber, wood fuel"
Our Contribution
Our small personal efforts, we hope, contribute towards these aims. Creating and nurturing this birch woodland not only enhances our land but supports the broader objectives of increasing forest cover and promoting biodiversity.
The journey of birch woodland regeneration is ongoing. As we continue to care for our saplings and observe the intricacies of nature unfolding before us, we remain committed to fostering an environment that thrives. With time, we hope that what we have started will flourish further and encourage others to consider similar endeavors.
