Regeneration on the Isle of Skye

This month I was privileged to visit two of our UK community partners on the Isle of Skye.

They’re in the midst of something truly remarkable, as they turn old conifer plantations into rich, native woodland, which will deliver multiple benefits for future generations.   

Community woodland and an old oak forest

Our partner Uigshader is working to plant a living wood of 30,000 native trees, to be explored and enjoyed by the community. They’ve chosen species that will encourage food foraging and crafts, to engage local people in the life of the forest.  

Now, we’re entering the third and final year of their project, when they will plant the final 10,000 trees. 

Trees emerging on the old conifer plantation

On the other side of the Peninsula, Sleat Community Development Trust are restoring the oak forest which once grew across much of the island.  

In 2011, the Trust bought the site of the old Tomore Forest, and are turning it back into a diverse forest habitat.

Since 2022, they’ve planted over 10,000 trees with us. Not only will these trees provide more species diversity, but they’ll also complement the natural regeneration process, whereby the seeds falling from established trees restock the woodland with new saplings. 

The beginnings of the new Tomore Forest

Monitoring the trees 

Communities are already seeing the impact of the new tree planting – the landscape is being transformed, and the most wonderful array of species is returning.   

One of my tasks for my week in Skye was to monitor the trees planted this winter and to check on their survival rate. This monitoring is a crucial part of our work - making sure that the trees we have funded have established well and are thriving.

Sometimes, usually in the case of a very hot, dry spring, we work with partners to make sure they have the funds and support they need to re-plant any trees that have been lost. 

Fortunately, the trees were doing brilliantly in both sites, with an almost 97% survival rate across the plots I sampled.   

Monitoring new trees at the Tomore Forest site

The trees on Skye are kindly funded by Ecologi, who have been excellent partners, even working with us to develop an app which we use to log and monitor tree survival.   

Monitoring is a fairly time-consuming process, as you have to design sample plots and then find, photograph and identify a randomly selected sample of trees.   

However, it’s always a pleasure to check in on the young trees, occasionally adjusting a tree guard or clearing the grass from the base as you go.   

Checking up on a young aspen

It’s also an opportunity to observe the regenerating landscape, noting the diversity of wildflowers, pollinating insects and birds are that are making this new landscape their home.   

On one occasion, using my new Merlin bird app, I recorded 25 species of birds in just a couple of hours spent monitoring the trees! 

The beauty of natural regeneration  

These large-scale nature recovery projects provide a fantastic example of natural regeneration. 

In some spots, there are mature trees, providing a seed bank.  All around them, the land quickly regenerates back into scrub and then in a short time, larger trees grow.  

In other areas further away, tufty grass predominates, and it is here that the newly planted trees will help facilitate that broader regeneration process. These trees introduce a wider species diversity, helping to create a more resilient ecosystem.   

The Uigshader site begins to regenerate.

Other areas are characterised by mossy peatland, a distinct ecosystem which is being managed separately and rarely includes trees.  

The role of community 

These community groups are working so hard to plant and look after the trees. It’s humbling to see their commitment and dedication to the projects and to learn from them about the history of the land and the people that have lived here.   

The Sleat community tree nursery, carefully tended by volunteers and their families. These trees will soon be planted out to restore the local landscape.

These are remote and challenging terrains to work in and with small communities it’s not always easy to find volunteers. Many of the volunteers who were instrumental at the start of the projects are now retired and looking to hand the baton on to the younger generation.   

The sites are entering the next stage of their cycle; they need regular maintenance, footpaths looking after, trees pruning, bracken clearing. These are tough jobs but also fantastic for community team building and very rewarding.  

These flourishing sites are a testament to the diligence of these groups – to their resourcefulness and creativity, as they work with businesses, schools and volunteers to ensure these sites thrive for years to come. 

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