Keep it Clean – tree health call from Forestry Commission Scotland

21 July 2015  |  

Scotland's forests and woodlands area under threat from a number of pests and diseases – but mountain bikers can help slow their spread.

Getting out and about into the countryside and riding the trails through wide open spaces can be a fantastic antidote to the bustle of modern life but there can be few more enticing or exhilarating options than riding a trail through a forest or woodland.

As the forests - and the riding conditions - change with the seasons, the one constant is that they are great places to unwind and de-stress no matter what grade you're tackling.

Some of the finest woodlands and best mountain bike trails in Scotland can be found in the 300 forests on the national forest estate, which is managed by Forestry Commission Scotland and where 108 trails at 14 mountain biking centres offer 1000km of great prospects, green to black.

Dr Anna Brown, the Commission's Head of Tree Health, said;

"We've invested a lot of time and resource into developing these facilities over the years and Scotland's woodlands are great places to go mountain biking. We look after around 477,000ha of forests across Scotland, an area about 5.5 times the size of Mull, and within that there is about 1300km of ride-able forest road and custom built trail.

"It's a lot of mountain biking in anyone's book - and all of it set in some fantastic locations. With such an amazing range of opportunities it's no wonder that our cycling and biking trails get around 0.75 million visits every year."

Some of these trails and paths are in woodlands close to major urban centres and are great places for visitors and local residents to take their bikes to. Other woodlands, such as at Laggan or in Moray, where the monster trails are located, are suitable both for family for day trips and for passionate riders who are looking to get the most out of some of the best riding in the country.

Set in stunning locations, and built to last, you'd expect that the trails would be a permanent feature but there are potential threats to this stability – from things you can't even see.

All of Scotland's forests and woodlands are under threat from a number of pests and spore-carried diseases that could have a lasting impact on tree health. Tackling these threats can sometimes involve large-scale tree felling, which can close forests, could impact on trails and will radically change the landscape.

Now, as part of the effort to combat these threats, riders are being asked to lend a hand….or a tyre, by adopting good biosecurity practice.

Anna said:

"Pests and diseases are our biggest headache because of the potential damage that they can cause. They can spread rapidly and they can arrive in a healthy forest in the mud and forest debris that gets stuck on people's boots, car tyres, bike tyres or even on their dog's fur and paws.

"Mountain bikers can play a part in helping fend off these pests and disease - all it takes is a few minutes preparation before visiting any woodland. Take the time to clean off your tyres and shoes: make sure that there is no dirt or mud on them and make it a habit to check your tyres no matter how long it's been since you were last out, or which woodland you are planning to visit.

"Everyone needs to do their bit to help promote biosecurity and the people who visit and work in our woodlands are the best defence our trees have."

"Help keep our forests special and "Keep it Clean"."

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