5 minutes

Rainforest restoration reaches record level for FLS

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) has set a new benchmark in its rainforest restoration efforts for 2024-25.

Ahead of World Rainforest Day (22nd June) FLS teams working within Scotland’s Rainforest Zone have recorded 1226 hectares of restoration – up from 930ha in 2023-24.

Work to help save Scotland’s Temperate Rainforests involves several tasks including rhododendron removal (to give other plant space to grow), restoring Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (returning native species and ecological functions) and deer management (to prevent browsing damage to young trees and ground vegetation). 

The eradication and control of Rhododendron ponticum is a key element to safeguarding and expanding this valuable and vulnerable ecosystem. Rhododendron overpowers native rainforest vegetation, robbing other plants of nutrients, moisture and, most importantly, light.

In a bid to turn the tide on the war against the silent killer of Scotland's rainforest, FLS is upscaling the use of a technique called stem injection.

First highlighted as an effective method of control by Forest Research in 2006, uptake of stem injection has been slow but the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) has perfected and promoted the technique and now applies it widely.

As the name suggests, this technique involves drilling a hole in every stem and injecting a small amount of herbicide. This method is a practical and targeted way to tackle this invasive species that doesn't harm the surrounding habitat.

FLS Native Woodland Ecologist Richard Thompson said:

“Following on from the success achieved by the NTS at some of its sites, FLS is starting to use stem injection at large landscape scale. Results have been encouraging and we are hoping to roll out its use more widely across other FLS managed rainforests.

“FLS manages a substantial proportion of Scotland’s rainforest, and with around 8000 hectares of priority rainforest rhododendron areas on land managed by FLS it is imperative that effective and efficient control measures at landscape scale can be refined and deployed.

“However, to truly control the spread of Rhododendron, it needs a strategic, collective and collaborative effort from all landowners and managers including estate and residential gardens.”

While FLS is ramping up the use of stem injection, other control techniques such as removing plants by hand – known as grubbing up and, where unavoidable, foliar spraying are also used.

FLS is a proud member of the Alliance for Scotland's Rainforest, a coalition of partners from NGOs and government agencies working together to remove rhododendron from Scotland’s rainforests and woodlands, to help save this important habitat.

As well as helping to achieve net zero by potentially sequestering an estimated 1MTCO2e/yr of carbon, rainforest restoration also helps meet the ambitions of the new Scottish Biodiversity Strategy and provides opportunities for green skills and rural development.  

Key restoration sites include:  

  • Lochaber – Rainforest restoration is continuing apace in 2025. Since April 2025, FLS has cleared over 200 ha of recovering ancient woodland sites along the shores of Loch Sunart from regenerating conifer species and have recently started restoration operations along Loch Shiel.
  • Cowal – Loch Goil has become a priority landscape scale project, with large areas of rhododendron being removed ahead of native woodland restoration in the coming years. At Loch Fyne FLS are contributing to the Argyll Community Trust “West Cowal” project with native woodland enhancement at Inver and Lephinmore.
  • Loch Lomond – In collaboration with the National Trust for Scotland and Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park we are continuing work from the last 30 years on the Ben Lomond National Memorial Landscape conversion to native woodland habitat along the south and central eastern shore. Recently adding Cruach Tairbeirt to the priority landscape area, where removal of Rhododendron ponticum is well under way and supporting native woodland habitat expansion and connectivity along all of the lower slopes.
  • Knapdale – PAWS restoration that saw conifers removed from the site in the 1990’s and where there is now a fully functioning rainforest habitat. (Now working with Woodland Trust Scotland on creating a rainforest corridor along Crinan canal and linking to the Taynish National Nature Reserve managed by NatureScot).
  • Balmacara – under restoration since 2009, with dense Sitka seedling regeneration removed from rich rainforest fragments and veteran oak and birch safeguarded among a thriving and rejuvenated native woodland.  
  • North Sannox (NE corner of Arran) – under restoration since 2010 with targeted halo-thinning of oaks and hazel, to free their canopy from competition from mature conifers, felled across the site in 2016.
  • Achnashellach – extensive Rhododendron and non-native conifer clearance has allowed this important western Caledonian Pinewood to free suppressed pine regeneration and be put on the road to recovery.

Notes to Editors

  1. Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) manages forests and land owned by Scottish Ministers in a way that supports and enables economically sustainable forestry; conserves and enhances the environment; delivers benefits for people and nature; and supports Scottish Ministers in their stewardship of Scotland's national forests and land.
  2. Home - Forestry and Land Scotland | X.com/ForestryLS 
  3. Media enquiries to media@forestryandland.gov.scot