Work to restore a native Caledonian pine forest in Speyside has started, it is understood.

According to RSPB Scotland, the work will involve planting around 100,000 trees at its Abernethy Forest nature reserve.

The project aims to expand the largest single remnant of an ancient Caledonian pine forest and allow it to connect to other remnants of the forest, which is nearby. The work will also allow for a much larger habitat for woodland species.

Jeremy Roberts, senior site manager at Abernethy, is quoted as saying: "We have conducted some of the most comprehensive surveys of regeneration in Britain, and this has shown that the recovery of broadleaves has been extremely slow and localised compared to the pine element at Abernethy.

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"To give the forest a helping hand we are restoring these species, with the welcome help of local schools and volunteers to assist with the planting of these under-represented broadleaved trees.

"As these small groups mature they will themselves provide the seed source, inoculating the forest edge and providing a locus for these species to regenerate more widely, and restoring the forest to its diverse and species-rich former glory."

Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse added: "The RSPB should be congratulated for taking forward this pioneering project. It fits very well with the Scottish government's vision for woodland expansion and community engagement.

"It is also great news that Scotland's national tree, the Scots pine, is doing so well in Abernethy Forest. The move to plant more tree species in the forest is a positive one which will add great value to the environmental quality and biodiversity of the Cairngorms."

(JP/IT)