Drummond Hill review aims to manage the impact of tree disease

A review of the future management plan for Drummond Hill will have to tackle the threat to larch of an approaching tree disease.

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS), which manages the site, is preparing for the worst now that Phytophthora ramorum, which infects and kills larch, has been confirmed on trees less than 10 kilometres from Drummond Hill.

Robin Almond, Planning Forester for the FLS team in the area said;

“The Drummond Hill woodlands are a vital part of the local landscape above Loch Tay. The larch trees - which change colour with the season from lime green in the spring to amber and gold in the winter – offer a stunning backdrop that never fails to mesmerise.

“However, with the presence of the larch disease in the area, there is an increasing likelihood that it will reach the slopes of Drummond Hill within the next few years.

“Those few years give us an opportunity to look at how we can manage this in a sympathetic manner. Once we have a fully formed proposal, we will invite members of the public to comment on how we tackle this issue.”

If the disease is confirmed on trees in a woodland, the land owner or manager is served with a Statutory plant Health Notice requiring that the infected larch – and all other larch within 250m – are felled and removed.

Robin Almond, added;

“Drummond Hill is within an Area of Great Landscape Value and is part of the Taymouth Castle Designed Landscape so we don’t want to wait until the disease arrives because felling all the larch would have a huge impact on the amazing woodlands.”

Dates for drop-in sessions on the proposals will be announced in due course but anyone looking for more information on the Land Management Plan Process for Drummond Hill can contact enquiries.east@forestryandland.gov.scot

Notes to editors

1. Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) was established as an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government on 1 April 2019, following completion of the devolution of forestry as a result of the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018. It replaces Forest Enterprise Scotland.
2. The purpose of FLS is to manage forests and land owned by Scottish Minsters in a way that supports and enables economically sustainable forestry; conserves and enhances the environment; and delivers benefits for people and nature. FLS may manage other forested and non-forested land by arrangement, as set out in the Act.
3. The primary focus of FLS, in delivering its purpose, is to support Scottish Ministers in their role as leaders of Sustainable Forest Management and Sustainable Development through their stewardship of Scotland's national forests and land.
4. www.forestryandland.gov.scot | www.twitter.com/ForestryLS
5. Media enquiries to Paul Munro, Media Manager, Forestry and Land Scotland Media Office 0131 370 5059 or paul.munro@forestryandland.gov.scot