Volunteers declare victory after rhododendron 'bashing' at Perthshire wood

A group of tenacious volunteers are celebrating the demise of the very last Rhododendron ponticum bush at Kinclaven Bluebell Wood in Perthshire.

Over the last four and a half years the Kinclaven Woodland Working Group have hacked, sawed and dug their way through a thick mass of the plant that was choking six acres of the site and threatening to take over the rest.

Support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, who have raised over £21.9 million since 2010 for the work of the Woodland Trust, has helped fund activities like this right across Great Britain.

Site manager Jill Aitken said: “Rhododendron ponticum forms dense thickets and shades out native plants. If left uncontrolled, it will eventually dominate a wood to the exclusion of all other plant life. As this is a very lovely oakwood with lots of native plants, we were very keen not to allow that. It is an amazing service our volunteer working group has delivered. This stuff is really difficult to get rid of. If you leave the least little bit in the ground it will grow back. It has taken a lot of time but they have finally beaten it.”

The clearance work could only take place between September and March each year, to avoid disturbing nesting birds. Covid restrictions also cut down the time the volunteers had to attack the invasive plant.

The squad put in 1,946 volunteer hours on the task which is the equivalent of one person working full time, five days a week for a year.

Around 50 volunteers have been involved in the effort. The team has also cleared non-native invasive Himalayan balsam from the site, as well as removing lots of old fencing. Future volunteering tasks at Kinclaven Bluebell Wood include removing vole guards and tubes from trees planted to expand the woodland, removal of non-native spruce saplings and control of bracken.

'Rhodie bashing' is a common conservation task, but outright victories are hard won.

Over the years the Kinclaven team has developed its own method of dealing with the troublesome bushes. After being dug out and cut down the rhododendron is processed into leafy material and woody material which is stacked in separate mounds with any roots pointing upwards. Visitors to the wood sometimes wonder if these neat mounds are some kind of art installation. Over time the stacks become overwhelmed by moss and other vegetation and begin to be less noticeable. They will eventually break down fully into the forest floor.

Ian Riches who leads the volunteers of the Woodland Working Group said:

“It has taken a long time so it was all the more satisfying to hack out the very last bush. While it has been hard work the team is very sociable and we generally have a great time. It keeps us fit and even in the midst of all the sawing and bashing – this wood is a stunning place to be. You go to bed tired but happy.”

The Kinclaven team are now such a well-honed rhodie-bashing machine that they are being deployed elsewhere by the Woodland Trust. This year they will make their second residential trip to Loch Arkaig Pine Forest in Lochaber, where their efforts are helping in the major restoration work taking place.

Laura Chow, head of charities at the People’s Postcode Lottery, said:

"We're delighted support from our players helps the Woodland Trust ensure their woods are welcoming and free to access right across Great Britain. Well done to all of the volunteers at Kinclaven Bluebell Wood for their efforts in removing the Rhododendron ponticum, making space for native species to return."

A native of western and eastern Mediterranean regions, Asia, and China, Rhododendron ponticum was first introduced to Britain in the 1700s and was widely planted in parkland in Victorian times. This is the only species of rhododendron that is problematic in the wild for UK biodiversity. There are hundreds of other varieties to provide attractive garden displays without spreading into the wild.

Some non-ponticum rhododendron bushes have been identified and left undisturbed at Kinclaven, as they pose no threat.

Notes to editors

For further information contact George Anderson on 07770 700631.

The Woodland Trust is the largest woodland conservation charity in the UK with more than 500,000 supporters. It wants to see a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature.

The Trust has launched its ‘Plant More Trees’ climate campaign with a mission to plant 50 million trees across the UK by 2030. The charity is suggesting a £5 donation to help plant trees and fight the climate crisis, but every pound makes a difference.

Science shows that woods and trees combat the devastating effects of climate change: flooding, pollution, and extreme weather and temperature. They are also the ultimate carbon captors, absorbing atmospheric carbon and locking it up for generations. The message is clear: trees are one of the best ways to tackle the climate and nature crisis. #plantmoretrees

The Trust has three key aims:

1. protect ancient woodland, which is rare, unique and irreplaceable.
2. restoration of damaged ancient woodland, bringing precious pieces of our natural history back to life.
3. establish native trees and woods with the aim of creating resilient landscapes for people and wildlife.

Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 29,000 hectares. Access to its woods is free so everyone can benefit from woods and trees.

Free trees for schools and communities

The Woodland Trust is giving away hundreds of thousands of trees to schools and communities to make sure everybody in the UK has the chance to plant a tree. To apply, or see terms and conditions, visit: www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/freetrees