Work has started this week on improving a number of Council owned woodlands across the Falkirk North and Carse, Kinnaird and Tryst areas.

Woodland improvement work worth £175,000 will be carried out at Cobblebrae, Coo Park, Falkirk Cemetery, Carron Dams, Corrie Park, Finlay Russell Park, Larbert Lade.

Forestry

Work will include planting of native broadleaf species, path upgrades and installation of new signage and benches as well as some tree safety work and tree thinning - selective felling to allow the remaining trees to grow stronger.

The work has come about as part of Falkirk Council’s longer-term Forest Estate Plan approved in 2019.

Councillor Paul Garner, spokesperson for the Environment said: “Woodlands and forests are a vital national resource and play an important role in rural development and sustainable land use.

“As well as helping to reduce the impacts of climate change and providing timber for industry, our forests enhance and protect the environment and provide opportunities for public enjoyment.”

Work across Falkirk

There are another five Urban Woodland Management Plans covering the Polmont Area, Bo’ness, Denny, Falkirk South and Bonnybridge. It is hoped that these will be tackled with a similar approach in future years.

Falkirk Council has a total of 70 identified woodlands covering an area of 271 hectares that it manages.

Funding for the project was through Scottish Government’s Forestry Grant Scheme (£87k), EB Scotland (£45k) and housing developer contributions (£18k) with the remainder coming from Falkirk Council.