Trees, fences & deer

With a few exceptions it is probably fair to say that nobody thinks that fences are beautiful and they are definitely not cheap.  So why do we put up fences?
The reason is that we want to increase the amount of woodland cover on Knoydart and here’s why:

• Trees and woodland provide a home to a multitude of birds, mammals, insects, lichens, fungi and invertebrates
• Trees help to mitigate climate change and its effects
• Woodland is a great way to lock up CO2 – we own a big chunk of Scotland where trees will grow so have a responsibility to do our bit
• Trees improve the quality of the soil and water
• Woodland expansion is a national and local objective
• Knoydart Foundation and KFT have a responsibility to pass the land onto future generations in a better condition than we found it

 By planting trees and creating more woodland we will improve the natural habitat and bring lots of environmental benefits for decades and hopefully centuries to come.
To make this happen due to the density of deer on the ground and the lack of tree seed source we have to put up temporary fencing and plant trees. When the woodland is resilient enough the fences can be removed dependent on the deer density levels.
 
The relationship between trees and deer is dynamic – in the long term the increase in woodland cover make a better habitat for deer but only if a balance being achieved between the impact of deer on the land and how resilience of the woodland.  Deer management in Scotland is under review with the negative impacts of inappropriate deer numbers being recognised.  The West Knoydart Deer Management Group is working with neighbouring landowners to balance multiple land management objectives with the Scottish Government policy of “public interest” in relation to deer management.
 
Timescale in forestry terms is very different to that of us humans.  Much of the benefit of the woodland creation and regeneration happening now will not be seen until outwith, at least some of, our lifetimes. 
 
KFT look forward to a day when woodland regeneration and creation can happen without temporary fencing, however that day is not here yet.  We believe that the long term benefits achieved by creating more woodland far outweigh the short term disadvantages of temporary fencing.  We work hard to carefully design new woodlands to minimise the impact of fences on the landscape and access.  By improving visitor and local information we think that rather than being put off by temporary fencing that visitors, and hopefully the majority of the community, will value and support the reasons for them being there and the long term benefits that they will bring.   

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