A forestry company is planning to plant more than 250,000 native trees on the slopes of Dumyat.
The Future Forest Company, which acquired the 480-hectare Dumyat Estate last year, is proposing to plant a mix of broadleaved and conifer species including sessile oak, aspen, downy birch, hazel, rowan, Scots pine and juniper among other native species.
The scheme is aimed at addressing climate change and restoring degraded habitats and the area earmarked for planting is mainly above the Menstrie Burn and the Loss Burn.
There are no plans to plant trees near the summit of Dumyat and all sensitive features including the hill fort will not be planted on and left with open space.
The company already manages a range of woodland sites across Scotland including Brisbane Mains near Largs.
Co-founder of the Future Forest Company, Jade Rein, said: “Dumyat is a fantastic site for our next reforestation project and we look forward to returning the site to woodland by planting native trees and reducing the impact of carbon emissions.
“We know how much Dumyat means for local communities in Stirling, Clackmannanshire and the surrounding area, so look forward to working closely with residents and organisations to protect the planet for future generations, whilst ensuring access to Dumyat continues.”
Click here for more news and sport from the Stirling area.
The Future Forest Company will be hosting a community consultation drop-in session at Stirling University Innovation Park in the Dumyat room at Scion house from 2pm to 7pm on Monday, March 21.
The in-person event will be open for all to attend, hear more about the plans and discuss how communities can work together with The Future Forest Company on the project.
An online survey will also be available to provide the community with further opportunity to offer feedback on the plans.
Future Forest Company estate manager Jamie Adcock added: “We’ve spent the last six months gathering all the information we need to make educated decisions about how we manage the land including surveys of archaeology, breeding birds, and vegetation amongst many others.
“It’s now important we take into account the public opinion on our plans in order to make decisions that will positively impact the local community and wider users of the site.”
A draft site map detailing The Future Forest Company’s plans for the site, including planting locations, will be available to view online next week and will display the boundaries of the estate.
For more information on The Future Forest Company and the Dumyat site visit thefutureforestcompany.com/Dumyat.
