PAWS in Central Lowlands

Scottish Native Woods are working with woodland occupiers and community groups to restore Plantations on Ancient Woodlands Sites or PAWS.

PAWS are woods where the original woodland cover has largely been replaced by trees which cast more shade. The change in tree species and the increased shade can threaten wildlife that depends upon native woodlands for their home. However frequently PAWS still contain small areas where the original woodland inhabitants survive.

During the second half of the twentieth century about a third of our native woodlands were converted into PAWS, as Britain sought to develop a forest that could provide us with timber during future wars. Despite these strenuous efforts Britain still relies upon imported timber for about 85% of the timber that we use. There has also been an increasing awareness of the importance of the world’s natural forests, and a feeling that Britain can hardly lecture other countries on the destruction of their forests while failing to take action to help to restore our own woodlands.

Scottish Native Woods are developing a project which will allow for the gradual restoration of over 1,000 acres of PAWS in Central Scotland. We will take the gradual approach. This means removing the introduced trees over a period of time, so that the wood remains a wood. When all of the trees are removed at once, this can prove a fatal blow to the native trees and wildlife that have survived.

We’re also running volunteer programmes, so that you can get out there and get active while helping to restore these precious PAWS.

Contact enquiries@scottishnativewoods.org.uk