Cutting down Beech Samplings – Image by Ian Fraser

The first Saturday in March 2026 and 6 members from Maryburgh Community volunteers headed into the Woodland to carry out the monthly clean-up day. Due to other activities in the Maryburgh area this month there were fewer volunteers than normal. Now that the dangerous branches of an oak that overhang the core path leading up from Dunglass Road had been safely removed by the tree surgeons the remaining Beech saplings within compartment 8 could be safely taken down.

The saplings cut down were then stacked in neat piles to rot down and provide habitats for small mammals, invertebrates, fungi and other woodland species. The stack also provided nutrients for the soils and acted as wind breaks to protect the plants in the understory.

Stacking the Saplings – Image by Ian Fraser

Refreshments for All

After 2 hours work in the woodland all the volunteers were able to return to the open green space by Birch Drive. Other members of the Woodland Group had tea and coffee with biscuits ready for everyone.  All this was within the shelter of a Gazebo erected by members of the woodland group to keep the volunteers dry from the rain. More tea and coffee was available from the back of a volunteer’s car, equipped with a portable gas cooker.

More Help Needed 

More help is always needed to maintain and improve the woodland for the benefit of everyone in the community. If you cannot spare a couple of hours to join us for some fun in the woodland, why not help out in other ways. You can now make a donation using our PayPal online system. All donations will go to help with the future development of our community woodland.