Around 150 trees are set to be felled at a Paisley beauty spot following the discovery of a disease.
The large patch of woodland at Gleniffer Braes will be removed next month in a bid to rid the area of Phytophthora ramorum- an aggressive plant pathogen which can cause “extensive mortality” in Larch trees, particularly in the wettest parts of Scotland.
Scottish Forestry confirmed the outbreak in Renfrewshire, resulting in the local authority being served with a Statutory Plant Health Notice which requires the removal of all Larch trees within a designated 250m radius control zone.
The removal of the trees has been described as a “sad loss” to the popular walking spot, with the Braes being described as “the jewel in the crown of Renfrewshire”.
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However, council bosses at the Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board already have plans to replace a number of the felled trees.
The council previously announced plans for a new woodland spanning 19.5 acres, with the planting of more than 1,800 trees in Gleniffer Braes Country Park.
An email, sent from Renfrewshire Council’s Streetscene manager said: “Scottish Forestry have confirmed an outbreak of phytophthora ramorum within the Braes and, as a result, we have been served with a Statutory Plant Health Notice which requires the removal of all Larch trees within a designated 250m radius control zone.
“This will see 149 infected trees removed, as well as additional works to remove dead and windblown trees within the control zone.
“We plan to carry out replanting of trees in other areas as part of the 2022/23 planting season as we continue to do all we can to improve our environment and reach our climate change ambitions.”
The work is set to go ahead from March 7, and will take roughly four weeks to complete.
It’s understood a car park near to the electrical substation will also be closed during the duration to “minimise the number of people, often with dogs, at the site”.
Phytophthora ramorum was first found in Scottish plant nurseries in 2002 and in gardens and parks in 2007.
The first infection on Scottish larch trees was confirmed in 2010.
Scottish Forestry carries out regular surveillance and follow up ground surveys of symptomatic larch to detect and control new outbreaks and to monitor the spread of the disease throughout the country.
Paisley Southwest councillors Stephen Burns and Provost Lorraine Cameron have both said they are sad to see so many trees be removed from the Braes.
Provost Lorraine Cameron said: “I am sad these works are going ahead to remove a significant number of trees from Glennifer Braes.
“However, it is understandable that this must go ahead due to the presence of a disease which could affect more trees in the area.
Fellow SNP councillor Stephen Burns added: “Gleniffer Braes is the jewel in the crown of Renfrewshire and is a fantastic nature spot enjoyed by so many people in the area.
“While it may seem like a large number of trees being removed, I am glad to hear that more are already being planned to be planted in their place and further contributing to Renfrewshire Council’s climate action plans.”
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