Rhododendron ponticum and hybrids - update

The following are brief summaries of some of the action that we and our partners have done since the Species Action Framework was launched. They're in chronological order, with the most recent updates at the top of the page.

2 August 2011

Highland Rhododendron ponticum Control Strategy 2011 - 2013

The Highland Rhododendron project has produced a strategy  to tackle the spread of Rhododendron ponticum and its hybrids throughout Highland. The strategy sets out a framework for identifying priorities for control for the benefit of owners, agents and government officers preparing and assessing grant proposals for rhododendron clearance.

 

SAF support for mapping rhodo

Accurate information on the structure and distribution of rhododendron is necessary for calculating costs and preparing SRDP proposals - but most sites don't have this kind of information. Scottish Natural Heritage, through the Species Action Framework, has made funding available to survey rhodo on priority sites in Highland. For information please contact Julie Paton , the Highland Rhododendron Project officer.

 

Onich crofter helps woodland recover

An internationally important Lochaber woodland is well on its way to recovery thanks to the efforts of local crofters. Colin Campbell, grazing clerk for the Cuilcheanna grazings, which comprise a third of the 619 hectare site, has been cutting, burning and spraying rhododendron under a scheme supported by the Scottish Rural Development Programme.

 

National Forest Estate to be Rhododendron free  (in 15 years)!

Forestry Commission Scotland has launched an ambitious plan to free the national forest estate of Rhododendron ponticum and its invasive hybrids - and the scale of the task is so huge that 15 years will be needed to do it!

The Commission's Native Woodland Ecologist, Richard Thompson, said of this species: "It suffocates habitats, hampers biodiversity and - if that wasn't bad enough - it harbours tree-killing phytophthora species. Getting rid of it would be a real shot in the arm for Scotland's environment and for forestry.

"But everyone needs to do their bit and report any rhododendron that they see to the environment lead in their District. Don't walk past it and ignore it - because if you do you soon won't be able to move for the stuff!"

Requiring partnership work at a landscape scale, a comprehensive planning and recording system has been established to help coordinate the effort. Detailed surveying has still to be completed in places, but around £15M will be needed if the project is to succeed.

Planning & Environment Manager, Moira Baptie added: "We're under no illusions - it's going to be a big job and while it sounds like it might be an expensive job, in terms of biodiversity it's a small investment for a big return."

Work has started in several Districts, including Cowal & Trossachs, Lochaber, West Argyll, North Highland and Galloway, with £1.6 Million already allocated to the task in 2011/12.

15 July 2010

The Highland Rhododendron Project, funded by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) and The Highland Council, will identify priority sites for control and offer support to landmanagers who want to stop the further spread of Rhododendron ponticum and its invasive hybrids.

Julie Paton, the newly-appointed Highland Rhododendron Project Officer based at Highland Birchwoods on the Black Isle, said "Our first step is to prioritise areas so that control can help minimise the threat to sites designated for their wildlife. From there we can take a strategic overview of the situation in Highland for the first time."

"There is a lot going on in terms of control; be it repeated spraying, cutting back, stem injection or 'Lever and Mulch', a technique which uses the stems themselves to lever the plant out of the ground and leaves the brash in-situ to mulch out any regrowth. There is however still much work to be done and a large amount of cover must be removed to contain this threat."

"Funding is available through the Scottish Rural Development Programme for land managers concerned about the spread of the rhododendron and its effect on our native plants. We will be working to access these funds to remove this plant at key sites. We will also be looking at possible opportunities to offset removal costs. It is expensive and time-consuming to totally eradicate rhododendron and that effort can be at risk from wind-dispersed seeds from nearby plants so we are keen to encourage collaborative clearance operations to tackle local seed sources and prevent spread."

Jeanette Hall, SNH Woodland Advisory Officer, said: "We are delighted to provide the funding for this valuable work through the Species Action Framework which will be of public benefit as it will help preserve our native wildlife and wild flowers for future generations to enjoy." "This programme will help tackle the spread of this invasive non-native plant and we will work with land managers, landowners and gardeners to protect the vulnerable native species and habitats at risk."

"If we don't take this concerted action now, our native woodlands, wildflowers and the wildlife they support will be seriously threatened in the years ahead. The effective management of R. ponticum is one of the most valuable tools at our disposal to tackle this."

7 December 2009

Argyll/ Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park In October 2009, Stephen Murphy was appointed as Rhododendron Project Officer following Liz Poulsom's move to another post.

In October 2008, Liz Poulsom was appointed as Rhododendron Project Officer for LLTNP and Argyll & Bute. This post, funded by Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage and Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, will lead a two-year project advising land-owners and managers on rhodie elimination and control.

In February 2008, Forestry Commission Scotland published "A survey and strategic appraisal of rhododendron invasion and control in woodland areas in Argyll and Bute  ", by Colin Edwards & Sarah L. Taylor, Forest Research.

In October 2007, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park published "Audit and Management Recommendations for Invasive Plants in the Loch Lomond   " by Paul Chapman.

Lever and Mulch method

Gordon French and Donald Kennedy, of Morvern Community Woodlands, have developed this manual rhododendron control method. This uses numerous manual techniques, including physical levering of the stems and cutting with lightweight hand saws to break up rhododendron plants. The process aims to uproot all plants with their roots intact. This material is subsequently laid over the site, acting as a mulch to prevent possible regrowth or seedling establishment. Where uprooted stems show potential for re-rooting the stems are suspended upside down to desiccate the potential coppice buds concentrated at the base of the stem. The mulching aspect of the technique aims to suppress regrowth from remaining stem fragments and seedlings establishment. Uprooted plant material is left as a mulch throughout the entire working area.

The Communities Project for Highland Biodiversity are supporting a demonstration project to assess and promote the effective use of the Lever and Mulch Method of Rhododendron control in Lochaber. Training will also be provided and it is hoped that the findings will be incorporated into the future Rural Development Contracts as a new method of Rhododendron control. The project is being led by Jake Willis and Donald Kennedy of Morvern Community Woodlands on behalf of the Lochaber Biodiversity Group.

Demonstration/ awareness raising events have been held throughout 2009, including 14th May (Morvern), June (Knoydart), 5th November (Kyle of Lochalsh), and more, are planned for 2010.

9 June 2009

Construction and transport industries take on aliens  A new best practice manual will be launched on Tuesday (9th June) to help industry tackle some of the problems caused by invasive non-native species.

The manual has been developed by the Construction Industry Research and Information Association (CIRIA) and is aimed at a wide range of infrastructure managers.

It will be launched at a special seminar on non-native species, organised by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) along with CIRIA, the Scottish Government and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

The focus will be on plants and animals that spread rapidly, become dominant, and have a negative impact on both local biodiversity and the built environment. Representatives from sectors including quarrying, transport and utility management will be sharing their experiences in the often very costly process of dealing with the problem.

SNH's Robin Payne said: "Scotland's biodiversity is continually under threat from invasive non-native species, such as American mink, grey squirrel and Rhododendron. Very often the impacts of these affect commercial businesses who then have to take costly action to deal with them. This event is about bringing industry and nature conservation together to draw on experience both sectors have built up in dealing with these problem species to develop a well informed and structured approach that will be more effective and less costly."

Chris Chiverrell from CIRIA added: "Infrastructure owners and operators and the construction industry can all play a part in managing the current problems caused by invasive species and their progressive spread. The cumulative damage, cost to the economy, current prevention and control measures of invasives needs to be better understood and appreciated by a wider audience than currently engaged, hence the importance of this event which is targeting an otherwise difficult to get to audience.

Minister for Environment, Roseanna Cunningham, welcomed publication of the new manual. She said: "Invasive non-native species can threaten biodiversity and, in some cases, create great economic damage. To address this issue, the Scottish Government launched a strategy last year, calling for greater awareness and for a stronger sense of shared responsibility across Government, key stakeholders, land managers and the general public.

"The Construction Industry Research and Information Association are to be congratulated on what is a very positive initiative. Their manual will inform and assist a key sector to take their share of responsibility for actions helping to control the impacts of this significant problem."

Spring 2009

The "Nature of Scotland" highlights Rhododendron in Area news for West Highland. 'Pretty but Alien'  - On Skye there are a number of sites that are important for their oak woodlands and limestone features. Both of these are now relatively rare habitats, which are home to a huge variety of plants, insects, mosses and lichens.

However, some of these sites are threatened by invasion from species such as rhododendron, which loves oakwoods, and cotoneaster, which loves growing in the crevices within limestone. Neither of these species is native to Britain and they were introduced to woodlands around large houses during the 1800s.

Scottish Natural Heritage staff have been working with landowners and specialists to try and remove these alien species from a number of woodland and limestone sites. This involves cutting the plants and treating the roots with chemicals to prevent their re-growth. The cut plants are then destroyed - either being burnt, chipped or removed for disposal elsewhere.

Many of these sites are in remote and hard to reach locations, which means that removing these species poses quite a challenge. However, we're hopeful that the projects will be a success and that these important areas will be able to thrive again.