Protection of young Aspens from Deer browsing at Cullachie Sunday 12th February 2023

Twelve volunteers turned out on a sunny, spring-like day for this work party. Numbers were limited because of the nature of the work, otherwise the group would have been larger.

 

Before we started work, Stewart Taylor gave us an interesting and informative introduction to the importance of aspen woods for a variety of wildlife and he showed us some rare lichens growing on nearby trees.

Rolling out the wire mesh

Our task was to cut up a 25-metre roll of wire mesh into sections, and then roll up each section to make a cylinder of mesh. These cylinders were placed over heavily deer-grazed aspen suckers and held in place by being stapled to fence posts. We soon got an efficient system going, with different people carrying out different stages of the process, be it cutting mesh, rolling mesh, making a pilot hole for posts, knocking in posts or, finally, hammering in staples. It was constructive work and we installed 21 protective mesh cylinders in total. With luck, those 21 heavily grazed suckers will now be able to grow into mature trees.

Wire cutting

 

We were finished by lunchtime, so chatted and admired our handiwork whilst eating our packed lunches before dispersing. Job well done!

Creating a mesh tube

 

Thanks to the Cairngorms National Park for covering the cost of materials and to the landowners for being supportive of this project. Thanks also to Stewart Taylor for initiating this project and his efforts towards protecting local aspen woodland and its associated wildlife.

 

Making pilot holes for posts

 

Post driving then stapling

 

   

Team Cullachie                                     

                               Pete Moore