Birchwoods

Scotland's birchwoods are by far our most widespread and extensive woodland type, covering large swathes of the uplands on the more acid, infertile soils. Three birch species are indigenous to Britain: Silver birch, Downy birch and Dwarf birch. Dwarf birch  does not grow taller than a low shrub and the habitat where it occurs is described elsewhere on this site under minor woodland types . In the cool, wet and windy climate of the northwest Highlands, downy birch is the dominant species, forming woodland whose canopy rarely exceeds 10m; whereas in the cool boreal climate of the east and central Highlands, the delicate silver birch prevails.

Birches are pioneer trees which can rapidly colonise disturbed ground to form even-aged woods. As young birches regenerate onto adjacent, previously un-wooded areas, often in response to management influences such as fire and changes in grazing pressure, so birchwoods sometimes appear to "move" across the landscape, while the "parent" woodland matures and grows old. The mobility of upland birchwoods has shaped their wildlife, and has important implications for future management.

On the poorer soils there are few woody associates other than rowan, occasional holly and sessile oak, and locally, Scots pine. However, on more fertile sites any of rowan, ash, aspen, alder, goat willow, gean, bird cherry, juniper, hazel, hawthorn and blackthorn may be found. Juniper sometimes forms an understory in birchwoods of the eastern Highlands, while aspen frequently occurs within upland birchwoods where mineral soil is present as small groups and rarely as extensive stands. 

On all but the most acidic sites, birch "improves" the soil to allow development of a grass-herb flora on sites previously dominated by dwarf shrub heath. Although very few plant species are confined entirely to birchwoods, they favour the growth of herbs and grasses which are less common outside woods, and they support a very rich bryophyte flora, including many rarities in western woods. Some northern plants like chickweed wintergreen and globe flower (in ungrazed woods) are strongly associated with Highland birchwoods.

Birchwoods provide valuable habitat for woodland birds such as wood warbler, redstart and black grouse. The wood itself rots quickly and provides valuable deadwood habitat for fungi, beetles and hole-nesting birds.

Birchwoods are important habitats for a number of notable species (including the UKBAP priority species juniper  , pearl bordered fritillary butterfly, and the aspen hoverfly .)

Upland birchwoods are a priority habitat in the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Upland birchwoods HAP  .

You can visit some lovely examples of this woodland type on our National Nature Reserves  :

Craigellachie 

Only a few minutes walk from the village of Aviemore, on the slopes above the main Perth to Inverness road, sits the imposing birch wood of Craigellachie. It is a peaceful place where you can enjoy a walk at any time of the year.

Muir of Dinnet 

This National Nature Reserve in Grampian is a beautiful mosaic of wetlands, birch woodland and moorland with some interesting archaeology.