WATCH: Tree planting continues above A83 at the Rest

James Hand, FLS’ Operations Forester in the area, said: “It’s great to see how well the young trees are doing. The deer fencing has certainly helped and the shrub shelters  have been providing that little bit of extra time for the roots to get a good hold.  

"Now that most of the trees have established the shrub shelters are being removed from site and recycled.

“There’s a great mix of local sourced species in there - downy birch, aspen, oak, blackthorn, hawthorn, alder, hazel, juniper and Scot pine. They are not only adapted to the area but they are species that are also most likely to be resilient to future climate changes.

“They’ll do amazing things for the landscape in general but will really increase the range of habitats and biodiversity.”

As the trees continue to grow their root systems will bind and anchor the soil, gradually improving the integrity of the hillside. However, this will take time.

Angus Corby, landscape and biodiversity manager at Transport Scotland, said: “This has been a challenging woodland planting project to deliver due, primarily, to the nature and characteristics of the steep, exposed slopes above the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful.

"The fact that the trees are now establishing well is a testament to the time and efforts of the team involved, and the excellent partnership working between Transport Scotland and Forestry and Land Scotland.”

The woodland creation project will help supplement the major engineering works that have been carried out by Transport Scotland, including installing catch netting, catch pits and creation of an emergency diversion using the Old Military Road.