When discovered, there were only a few pines remaining, however a successful multi partner project created the Kielder Wildwood, reintroducing a range of site native species and boosting the Scot’s pine population with plants grown from seeds and cuttings from the original trees. Recently Forestry England have had great success propagating from the pines and kindly donated 20 young trees so that we could extend the population over the hill to Whitelee.

On Whitelee we’re establishing small areas of site native trees and shrubs, many of the species long since missing from the reserve. The hope is that these initial plantings will lead to natural succession over a much wider area through the coming decades. The donated pines were planted earlier in the year in the Green Cleugh, a steep side valley of the Bateinghope burn, a stone’s throw from the watershed. The expanded population will hopefully be better able to withstand future threats! 

The addition of Scot’s pine to the reserve will boost diversity in many ways. Over 400 species of invertebrate are associated with tree in the UK, including a range of bugs, beetles, sawflies, flies and spiders. Over 500 fungi species are associated with Scot’s Pine, with almost 200 found exclusively with the tree in the UK. The tree also forms an important habitat for lichens, bryophytes, mammals and birds. Fingers crossed for successful establishment and all of that lovely biodiversity finding its way to the reserve!

In addition to the pines, oak and juniper from locally sourced acorns and cuttings were planted in the Green Cleugh. Further down the reserve, oaks were planted along the Rede close to the A68, along with a range of species further up the Rede in small exclosures.