Plea to save Scotland's endangered species in woodlands 'devastated' by climate

The National Trust for Scotland is calling for the public’s help to save endangered tree species in woodlands that have faced “devastation” in recent years.

As part of the Trust’s wider campaign to support the regeneration of native woodland, trees are to be replanted in woodlands that have faced “severe destruction” due to changing climates.

Storms in recent years have “devastated” woodlands, including incidents of ancient trees being uprooted and historic buildings being damaged.

The Trust say there are two of the Catacol whitebeam – one of the most endangered tree species in the world – remaining growing in the wild in Glen Catacol on the Isle of Arran.

The public are being asked to help with preserving two other rare and endangered species, the Arran whitebeam and the cut-leaved whitebeam trees.

Arran whitebeam (left) and cut-leaved whitebeam (right) are endangered species. Photo: NTS. National Trust for Scotland

The charity have launched a ‘Dedicate a Tree’ appeal where supporters can help protect the woodlands for “generations to come”.

Kate Sampson, the NTS’s senior ranger at Brodick Castle, Garden & Country Park and Goatfell, said: “Glen Rosa is a fabulous iconic Highland landscape in the heart of Arran, which has been depleted of trees since humans came here around 4,000 years ago – by people building roundhouses and shielings, then by sheep, and now by deer.

“People have had huge impacts on this amazing landscape – and of course on other landscapes around Scotland – and now our supporters at the National Trust for Scotland have been working to put back these trees.

“To date, we’ve planted around 39,000 native trees in Glen Rosa, thanks to generous support from donors and players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, which allowed us to fence off a large area from deer.”

“We hope that our members and supporters will continue to back our wonderful woodland regeneration projects and progress – on Arran and the other wonderful and important landscapes supported by our charity’s Dedicate a Tree appeal.

“Even a few pounds, donated at nts.org.uk/trees, can help us breathe new life into Scotland’s woodlands.”

The Trust is aiming to plant 5,000 more trees to add to 39,000 existing native trees on the 400-hectare site at Glen Rosa.

Work to repair damaged woodlands in the north east of Scotland are underway. Photo: NTS. National Trust for Scotland

Philip Long OBE, NTS’ chief executive, said: “Our charity looks after so much of what makes Scotland wonderful, and this includes our natural landscapes, woodlands and forests.

“In recent years, storms and the increasingly concerning impacts of the climate crisis have caused and contributed to severe destruction across the woodlands cared for by the Trust, uprooting ancient specimen trees, destroying the shelterbelts that protect some of our most loved designed landscapes and gardens, and also damaging treasured historic buildings in our care.

“As the Trust takes on our largest tree replanting projects to date, we continue to rely on the support of those who care for Scotland’s woodlands, natural landscapes and ecosystems as much as we do.

“By dedicating a tree, people of all ages can help us to replant endangered native species, increase the biodiversity of our places, restore Scotland’s woodlands and mitigate the impacts of the climate crisis, as well as celebrating and commemorating their loved ones in a meaningful way.

“Every tree dedicated really will benefit our natural landscapes across Scotland, helping our charity to ensure Scotland’s nature, beauty and heritage remains protected, and there for generations to come.”