More than 4,000 small trees have been planted in the felled areas of Larch Wood and along the South Drive at Almondell and Calderwood Country Park to replace trees removed from these areas.
Local Councillor Carl John, who took part in the planting, congratulated volunteers, and David Lees and his staff from NETs Land and Countryside teams who took part.
“I must have planted a 100 before my back gave up on me,” he told a meeting of East Livingston and East Calder Local Area Committee.
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The woodlands stretch between Mid and East Calder. The ancient woodlands are also the site of some of the oldest trees in the county which the council has applied to have nationally recognised as one of 70 ancient woodlands as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Over 50 specimen trees were also planted in the more formal areas of the park to replace those which have been lost to decay and wind blow over the past decades. The areas around the planting have also been landscaped and some areas seeded with wild flower/grass mixes.
In a report to the a committee Mr Lees said: “This work was carried out by some very stalwart members of the Friends of Almondell & Calderwood, supported by members of the Parks & Woodland Team. A successful tree planting day was also held with members of staff from M&G Insurance’s Edinburgh Office.
“A grant of £23,000 was awarded for the overall tree planting project by the Tree Council, which in turn had been sponsored by M&G Insurance.”
There have been further delays in finishing off the path and car park works due to contractor capacity, but all is due to be completed prior to the school holidays.
A contract was awarded for the mechanised removal of trees affected by Ash Dieback Disease along roadsides and also in other areas. A number of sections of road throughout the council area have been selected and within these ash trees, showing significant signs of the disease, are being removed.
As part of this project, a few large ash trees which hung over the Sustrans National Cycle Route and the canal feeder between Almondell and Mid Calder were removed in March. Some additional trees adjacent to the Powies’ Path and other well used paths were also removed. Some trees had to be left until after summer due to wildlife constraints.
Replacement planting will be undertaken and where practicable some ash trees will be pruned to create a “snag” or “monolith”. This is where the major branches are removed but the trunk is left standing, rather than being completely felled.
