The following email has been received from Scottish Woodlands:
“Scottish Forestry have identified a positive infection of Phytophthora ramorum within the larch trees along the 2 churches walk. This is a fungal disease which kills larch, and to try and slow the spread and impacts Scottish Forestry demand that infected stands be felled. As managing agents, Scottish Woodlands Ltd. are therefore in the planning stages of working out how the impacted woodlands may be felled and extracted while minimising impacts to the community. The current thoughts are to return the ground to native type woodland post felling to avoid the need for future clearfells/disruption and improve views and visual appeal. There would be a short period during which the current walking path would have to be closed, and thereafter re-instated to ensure continued future access. Plant Health notices dictate that the felling must be completed in the autumn/winter of 2023.
At this stage we wished to make the community aware that this is a problem we’re going to have to tackle, and I’d be interested in the communities thoughts as to how impacts might be reduced. Any responses are encouraged by end of May 23 :dingwallenquiries@scottishwoodlands.co.uk”
