Minor woodland types

Urban and Amenity Woodland A tradition of providing open space in urban areas which goes back to the last century has been invigorated in the last decade by the development of community woodlands. These area generally, situated on low value ground in and adjacent to urban centres, and designed for use by a wide range of community interest groups.

Atlantic Hazelwoods Atlantic hazel is restricted to the west coast and often considered a minor woodland type. However, because of the international importance of Atlantic hazel in Scotland, more information can be found on our dedicated Atlantic hazel pages.

Aspen Although aspen    is very widespread, occurring across most of Britain, it is reasonably uncommon for it to form extensive stands. In the Highlands, only 21 stands of aspen larger than 1.5 ha are known. Despite this scarcity, these stands are extremely rich in biodiversity, especially lichens and insects. Exploration of aspen in the last few years has discovered several species new to Britain and at least one which was thought to be extinct - and which was last seen in East Norfolk over 150 years ago. Aspen can only spread slowly - it is rarely able to produce seed in Scotland and reproduces by sending out suckers from its roots, which form new trees close to the parents. Over time a large clump of trees can develop, all genetically identical. Interest in aspen is growing rapidly and a conference with published proceedings was held in 2008 to bring together the knowledge which has been developed over the last ten years.

Individual and small groups of trees These are an important part of Scotland's tree cover and help define the character of many lowland landscapes. Intensively farmed arable areas would appear much more uniform, and support a more limited range of plants and animals without the hedges and hedgerow trees which were established at the time of agricultural improvements.

Montane scrub As tall forest trees, like pine and birch, begin reach their altitudinal limit, smaller species like juniper, dwarf birch   and mountain willows become more prevalent and eventually replace them completely. This zone of dwarf trees and low shrubs, which once linked forest and open hillside, and the unique wildlife living in this habitat, have almost vanished from Scotland. At several sites throughout Scotland, people are surveying the mountain woodlands  , gathering seed and growing new trees. Schoolchildren are helping by looking after some of these trees through the winter and planting them out onto the mountain the following spring.