Scotland finds economic growth in their forests

Tay Forest Park, Perthshire

Having more natural woodlands is always a good idea. But if  by renewable energy they mean heavy logging, I am a bit hesitant about that.

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Enchanted Forest, Pitlochry, October 2008

Yi Yu has contributed a photo to this story.

Glamis Castle, Scotland - June 2008

I never expected such huge trees around here. Always thought that the climate would allow only small robust trees to grow in here and the surprise was enormous.

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The thing that I noticed mostly up in Scotland is that there are vast areas where trees could be planted. Riding around the Grampians, the trees stopped at a dead level. Just below the snow line. Okay, but there were a lot of gaps that could be utilised.

The other thing was that trees are planted near to roads where they tend to spoil the views you would get.

The extra logging would create more work and help the economy. Yes, the lorries would be a pain in the neck. But you get this with caravans anyway. Perhaps some railways could be relaid and opened to take the lorries off of the road, or turn the old track beds into logging routes only.

New trees produce more oxygen than old ones as they absorb more carbon dioxide in order to grow. At least that is what I am led to believe.

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This photo was taken just outside Glen Affric. I thought it was a good photo opportunity as you can see the Autumn season is soon approaching.

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The forests in Scotland were fantastic coloours when we were there at the end of October.
Logging means you need managed, artificial looking forest. There's room for it but I would hope that work is put into ensuring people and forests can mix. I'd like more deciduous forest; it's slow growing perhaps but feels much more natural - for example coppiced willow is much nicer than mono cultured conifers.

voithite has contributed a photo to this story.

I called this shot Heron Forest. Not the real name of the forest but I was looking for some nesting Herons and took this. This wee forest is about 20 years old and was planted as a wind break for the neighbouring estate. There are also a pair of nesting Sea Buzzards that frequent it but not surprisingly I couldn't get close enough to photograph them either.

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Growing trees on a larger scale in this country is likely be more economic than importing if planted on a large enough scale.

Burning in high efficiency power stations would help reduce the quantity of trees destroyed. However wood is not as pure a substance as coal (mainly carbon) to burn, so there may be undesirable toxins produced if combustion is not efficient?

The Highlands of Scotland have some of the last remaining wilderness areas in Europe and provide a haven for many native flora and Fauna Species that are in decline in other areas of Britiain.  The large Forestry Commission Plantations of confiers we see today bear little resemblance to the native Caledonian Forests that have shaped this magestic landscape.

A balance must be found because forestry in its current form in Scotland densely covers the landscape in such a way that many smaller species that would have lived under the Caledonian tree canopy have been pushed out.

Forestry must be considered as a potential source for 'green energy'.  However this should not be to the cost of native species which should have their diversity protected for us all.

Large scale logging such as we see in America or Canada could decimate one of our last wild habitats in Britain and europe!

Utilization of Scotland's natural environment is a wonderful idea, but this has to be met with sustainability.

Great care must be taken not to ruin Scotland's wonderful landscape and environment through the desire for economic growth.

While we recognize that growth is vital for Scotland in this stage of it's history, more important is the state of the world environment and this must be primary concern.

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I like the stark grandeur of Scotland's mountains. I also understand that the desert we see is man-made, that we stripped the hills of their trees for fuel or building materials. There is a move to regeneratte the woodlands in a sustainable manner and I cannot argue against that on the grounds of the enviroment.

However, neatly delineated rectangles may be easier to harvest but they're hardly natural distributions. In addition, the beautiful Scots Pine, one of the main constituents of the Caledonian Forest doesn't seem to figure in the plans, the quick-growing Scandinavian alternatives providing a quicker return on investment, I believe.

I would like the authorities to consider insisting on a bit more effort in recreating traditional forest than simply planting what are not much more than tree factories.

th1stleandr0se has contributed a photo to this story.

Path in Aros Park by Tobermory, the Isle of Mull.

ubac has contributed a photo to this story.

Nice collection of photos of the trees and forests and barren hills of Scotland. Surprised they haven't been inspired to rebuild their forests before this.

Culbin Forest, September 2008

vicky__15 has contributed a photo to this story.

I cannot agree at all with this policy. Scotland used to be covered in forest, the site where this photo was taken (Selkirk Auld Kirk) was once in the heart of Ettrick Forest whick covered vast amounts of this part of southern Scotland. Scotland is best sticking to wind farms and tidal energy for its renewable energy sources before we kill all our forests for good!!

machighlander has contributed a photo to this story.

well if the same thing could be done with our forests too that would be amazing great story.

As others have already pointed out, there needs to be a compromise. Yes a greener energy is good and developing and managing our forests will promote jobs and our economy, however we need to support a more natural and native environment for our wildlife. I am frequently told that I live in a beautiful part of the world, and it would be a shame to see it ruined for a money saving idea. But if the forests are managed right and native trees are promoted in this venture, it could well be good way to keep our countryside free of new house builds (like the arbroath road from dundee, which was until recently all farm land) and re forest our beautiful country. You never know it could even get people out walking the forests again!!!

Thanks for the invite. I drive around in my old Audi, sometimes to take a selected shot and discover something else.

Brian Forbes has contributed a photo to this story.

Hi,

Awesome & cool still snaps

Natural beauty cool 4 eyes

its lovely

This picture shone at me walking along a country road at Bow Of Fife Scotland. A cluster of large daisies on one side of a farm track which disappears between the trees.

Brian Forbes has contributed a photo to this story.

Managed to take this photo while away a weekend in perth celebrating 27 years married to long- suffering husband who suffers a lot with my manic-digital- photo-taking....! Had a great sunny day in May 2006 to explore Perth, and follow hubby, from Dunkeld, over the bridge, to do the "Inver Walk". The first thing that hit me within "The Hermitage" forest was the fantastic tall trees. The branches were at their best, clean and fresh, with no leaves to hide their tendrils reaching out to the cobolt blue sky.Scotland at its best!! Renewable energy is a must to save the trees and Mother Earth!

carly.meik has contributed a photo to this story.