At the tree nursery we have been collecting seed from specially selected trees from local woodlands to grow on as two to four year old trees. These will be planted into areas of wind blow and open spaces where natural regeneration is being swamped by weeds, bracken and brambles or more vigorous species like Sycamore or Western Hemlock. As these are faster to grow these plants will smother or block the light for slower growing and native species like Oak or species on the brink of extinction like Aspen. We are working hard to manage these incredibly precious and rare habitats to ensure they will be protected and sympathetically restored to ensure these woodlands thrive for another thousand years!
We have some of the most special diverse habitats on Eigg in our woodlands. It supports an immense amount of species of trees but also the wildlife that thrives in these woodlands, from some of the largest birds in the sky to the smallest insects and microscopic beasties, the flora, fauna and not forgetting the fungi.
Our Eigg Forestry Plantation has a monoculture of Sitka Spruce and some areas of Larch which gives the smaller birds plenty to eat with the cones, our mixed native woodlands which supports species like Oak, Birch, Alder and Rowan, pockets of ancient Atlantic Hazelwood, mixed policy woodland with Pines, Firs, Beech, Sycamore, Elm mixed in with native species. We have the Manse and the Lodge gardens which have plant species and associated lichens and fungi indicating they are areas with remnants of ancient temperate rainforest.
To help us restore our woodlands you can donate towards our project by clicking HERE