Wild Strathfillan – Rhododendron Removal at Bull Park Wood, Auchlyne Estate

LLTCT has been awarded funding through NatureScot’s Nature Recovery Fund to deliver the initial delivery phase of Wild Strathfillan. LLTCT is working in partnership with land managers, local communities, environmental NGOs, businesses and the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority to deliver this long-term project. Removal of invasive non-native Rhododendron ponticum forms part of the suite of nature restoration initiatives that will be delivered across the landscape. Rhododendron ponticum has been identified at Bull Park Wood in the Auchlyne Estate. This woodland is just over 6ha in area, and the Rhododendron covers less than 10% of this area, mainly as scattered shrubs, circa 1 meter to 1.5 metres tall. Site Location: Auchlyne Estate is situated within Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. It lies to the north of park, off the A85 between Crianlarich and Killin. The woodland is located due east of Auchlyne farm buildings, and north of the River Dochart. The location of the woodland compartment is shown on the map below (blue-outlined polygon). There are two gates enabling vehicular access to the woodland compartment across a sheep field. A vehicular access track runs through some of the site, though most Rhododendron flanks the burn and is growing amongst fairly dense circa 20-year-old native broadleaf tree growth. If a site visit is required, please get in touch and we will provide you with the location for access. Services Required; We require Rhododendron ponticum to be removed from the woodland using small, preferably tracked, machinery, or by hand using a chainsaw. All Rhododendron ponticum growth roughly 1 metre high by 0.5 metres wide and larger will be removed by the contractor as part of this contract. Smaller plants will be removed by hand at a later date although the contractor should record a GPS or what-three-words location for shrubs identified that were not removed during these works. All Rhododendron that has been removed by the contractor needs to be left in tidy piles on site away from watercourses. After works are completed, we expect the site to be left tidy and any impacts from accessing the site to be made good, including access route to and from the site through the sheep field. The woodland consists of native trees, and so felling and removal of any trees for access should be avoided as far as possible. A site visit will be required prior to submitting a bid for this work to ensure accurate costings are submitted and equipment requirements are identified. Access requirements should be considered, including minimising impact on surrounding environment (e.g. avoiding the felling of native trees).