Moray Council: Spruce trees to be felled at Millbuies
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Non-native spruce trees in Millbuies Country Park will be reduced and replaced to promote new wildlife.
Chainsaws will be used to cut down spruce on the north side of the loch above the path.
They will then be replaced with native broadleaves and Scots pine.
To protect the area, heavy machinery won't be used on the banks.
Instead, felled trees will be winched up the hill by remote control, using a 16-ton digger with a 14-ton harvester head attached.
Marc Macrae, chair of Moray Council’s economic development committee, states the work will create more light and space to encourage flora such as ferns and bluebells, plus butterflies and small mammals.
He added: "Woods with a diverse variety of trees support a greater number of wildlife and can better resist the impacts of climate change."
The 54-hectare park near Fogwatt will remain open to the public during the works, which are expected to start next week and last for several months.
Elgin Common Good Fund is providing the funding.
Income from harvesting the timber will be returned to the fund.
A large number of the non-native spruce were planted for commercial purposes in about 1980.
A recent ecological study found many species of birdlife in Millbuies Country Park including ospreys.
Otters, water voles, badgers, red squirrels, pine martens, four bat species, wildcats and barn owls were also recorded.
With cash from the Scottish Government’s nature restoration fund Moray Council has created what it calls a management plan for the park.
This can be downloaded to view HERE
