At the Lang Crags in Dumbarton, a huge amount of invasive rhododendron has been removed.
There has been 15 hectares of rhododendron infested woodland cleared by contractors thanks to a £50,000 grant from Biffa Award; a multi-million pound fund that helps to build communities and transform lives through awarding grants to community and environmental projects across the UK, as part of the Landfill Communities Fund.
Rhododendron ponticum was introduced to Scotland in the 19th century and due to its vibrant purple flowers it quickly became a fashionable plant that was planted in the grounds of many country houses. It thrives on wet peaty soil and has infested large areas of the countryside. Nearly 4,000 hectares of native woodland in Scotland is affected by the plant.
Roy Barlow, site manager from the Woodland Trust Scotland said: “Although it features attractive flowers in the summer rhododendron ponticum is bad news for biodiversity because it shades out other plants and can choke woodland. Much of the existing woodland at Lang Craigs has been an inaccessible jungle for decades, so opening it up is an exciting project. We’re creating a large new native woodland at Lang Craigs for people and wildlife. The Trust has planted more than 200,000 trees and built new paths to help the public explore the area.”
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