Green shoots of recovery begin to show as post-Arwen tree-planting continues in Aberdeenshire
When Storm Arwen struck Aberdeenshire in November 2021 the widespread devastation it caused included tens of thousands of trees being blown over or damaged.
But green shoots of recovery are being seen in the north-east, particularly within Aden and Haddo Country Parks, which were badly affected by the mighty winds of Arwen.
Across more than six hectares of woodland at Mintlaw’s Aden Country Park, around 4,000 trees are to be replanted thanks to money generated from the sale of the felled timber.
Around 80% of the trees damaged in Aden were Spruce, with the remaining 20% being Scots Pine. The restocking programme will see a wider range of mixed conifers being planted for the current contract including Scots Pine, Sitka Spruce and Douglas Fir. Later, areas of higher footfall will feature mainly native tree species, typically birch, oak, and pine with the addition of higher amenity value trees such as flowering cherry.
At Ellon’s Haddo Country Park, volunteers from the local community helped to replant more than a thousand trees within its Squirrel Woods earlier this month, adding to the 7,000 planted by Aberdeenshire Council and park staff in February. This was an area completely cleared by Storm Arwen, now replanted with 8,000 native trees—not for timber, but for greatly supporting the area’s biodiversity, including birds, plants, insects, and small mammals.
4,000 trees will also be planted in Ellon's McDonald Woods this week, including a public planting event for Saturday adding 500 into that total to also help the woods recover after Arwen.
All council woodland plans are developed under the advice of Forestry and Land Scotland.
Cllr Alan Turner, chair of the council’s Infrastructure Services Committee, said: “We have a statutory requirement to ring-fence income generated from our harvested timber for the reinstatement of damaged woodland and that also ensures we don’t need to use limited council budgets. I am delighted to see these replanting programmes underway. Thank you to all the staff and particularly the volunteers who were involved at the Haddo replanting earlier in the month. Your efforts help us to conserve this rich, historic landscape for future visitors to enjoy for many years to come.”
Ewan Wallace, Head of the council’s Environment and Sustainability Services, added: “Timber production is a traditional activity on the Aden estate. Tree species such as spruce and fir are a sustainable resource that generates an income for the park while reducing the need for imported timber.
“Replanting with predominately native species in Haddo Country Park helps to reverse biodiversity loss, retains water in the soil, and stores carbon. This keeps the soil healthy and plays a role in protecting and restoring the habitats of iconic and notable species that call Aberdeenshire home: from red squirrels to pine marten, which are greatly valued by residents and visitors alike.”
Pictured is Storm damage being cleared at Aden back in February of 2022 and replanting taking place at Haddo.
