We are working hard to restructure our existing woodlands and to create new ones. In 2021 we completed our Woodland Creation project which saw fourteen hectare’s / 17,500 trees planted, supplied from Eigg Tree Nursery over 2020 and 2021. All the trees were grown from seed collected locally, creating a new native woodland between Sandamhor’s mixed woodland joining up with the Eigg Forestry Plantation.
This is part of the island’s larger scale woodland restructuring as we sympathetically harvest the forestry plantation removing the monoculture of Sitka Spruce and restocking with a diverse range of species from our tree nursery. Taking direct action to combat climate change, be self sustaining in supplying local firewood reducing the imports of coal and supplying the wood boilers at Eigg Primary school and An Laimhrig, our newly refurbished Isle of Eigg Shop, Galmisdale Bay Cafe and Bar, Eigg Craft Shop and Eigg Adventures – bike and kayak hire and at the same time creating a circular economy! At Eigg Tree Nursery we are also striving to introduce pioneer species like Aspen. Aspen is a unique tree in many ways. Despite being one of the most neglected trees in Scottish Forestry, and on the brink of extinction, it is potentially one of the most useful tree species. This is widely known across the world however is only just being realised in forestry and conservation circles within Scotland, with new research being undertaken into its ecological and economic uses.
The restructuring and creating our woods programme starts with harvesting the monoculture of Sitka Spruce over four phases. The first phase was completed in 2019. At the Tree Nursery our aim is to grow ten thousand trees a year, for the foreseeable future to continue restocking the harvested areas to restructure and create diverse habitats associated with native species like Oak, Birch, Alder and Hazel and also reintroducing Scots Pine, a native conifer to Scotland. Diversifying species is also important to allow for our changing climate, we aim to include non native species like Western Red Cedar, Douglas Fir and Sycamore for future uses such as cladding, timber and woodworking. The first restocking of the Eigg Forestry Plantation was carried out in March 2023, providing employment for locals to plant 8,500 trees with Alder, Birch, Oak, Hazel, Rowan, Aspen, Wych Elm, Elder, Western Red Cedar and Sycamore.
Protecting our bio security is our main aim and ensuring we are working safely to avoid importing fatal tree diseases. By growing our own stock from seed collected by us on Eigg reduces the risks tremendously as we can monitor the parent trees on a regular basis. We collect Acorns from the local mainland areas surrounding Eigg, due to only a small amount of seed bearing Oaks on the island. The conifer seed is sourced responsibly from a reputable source that follows seed testing and only choose collections from stands grown in the UK specifically to mitigate potentially importing tree diseases. Eigg Tree Nursery is inspected on a yearly basis through the Plant Passport scheme ensuring we are following all current legislation and keeps us informed on current diseases to be aware of. Following the aim to protect our bio security being self sustainable and self sufficient in securing a reliable source of stock it is certainly not the easiest option or cost effective and that is how you can help support our ambitious targets by donating to the project by clicking HERE