WOODLAND and HABITAT PLAN CANDREN BURN, MILLARSTON ...

SOUTHCRAIG FORESTRY SERVICES
WOODLAND and HABITAT
PLAN
CANDREN BURN, MILLARSTON,
PAISLEY
Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica) alongside the Candren Burn
4, Dalquharn Avenue, Darvel, Ayrshire KA17 OFD Tel; 01560329328

WOODLAND / WILDLIFE HABITAT SURVEY AND PLAN
CONTENTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
CANDREN BURN, MILLARSTON, PAISLEY
General description of the area.
Survey of woodland habitat.
List of trees and plants identified on site.
Management Plan - Years 1 to 3
Management Plan - Years 3 to 5
Management Plan - going forward.
Plan of areas.

General
Survey
WOODLAND / WILDLIFE HABITAT SURVEY AND PLAN
Description
CANDREN BURN, MILLARSTON,PAISLEY
The survey was a ground level visual survey completed on the 19 th
November 2009. The weather was wet with average temperatures and
light wind. The survey was completed to inform a long-term
management plan.
Location - The section of banking along the north side of Candren Burn starting at
Map Reference: NS 461 633 and finishing at NS 464 634.
Aspect - South facing.
Soil Type - Gleyed Brown Earth.
The Land - A narrow strip of steeply sloping bank, 12metres wide at the narrow
point and 35 metres wide at the wide point, lying on the north side of
the side of the Burn. The land is in an urban setting, with existing
housing on the south side, and proposed housing on the north side. The
strip, contributes to a corridor of green space that stretches out to the
Gleniffer Braes.
The Burn - The section of Candren Burn that forms the south boundary of the
proposed development is mesotrophic in character. It represents the
outfall from an adjacent man made body of water, which has an
associated landscaped open space.
Appearance - The area has the appearance of a semi-natural woodland. The inclusion
of non-native and exotic plants has significantly downgraded the
woodland and habitat.

Woodland / Habitat Survey
The survey area was divided into sections 1 – 5, the sections are loosely based on changes
occurring in the habitat along the burn. Descriptions of each section follow, a plan is attached
to assist with identification of the boundaries.
Area 1
The Bank
The upper story (8 – 10m high) consists of an intimate mixture of young and semi-mature
Goat Willow (Salix caprea), Ash (Fraxinus excelsior), Oak (Quercus robur), with Hawthorn
(Crataegus monogyna) reaching maturity, growing densely at the top of the bank and in
mixture throughout.
The under story consists of occasional Holly (Ilex aquafolium) and Wild Raspberry (Rubus
idaeus).
Ground cover is light on the bank with Fern (Dryopteris ssp.) and patches of mixed grasses
with Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica) growing densely along the burn and lightly on
the bank.
Flat area (Area 1A)
This was to originally be a SUDS pond, now moved elsewhere, it is identified as sub-area 1A.
The upper story (4 – 5m high) is young densely stocked Birch (Betula pubescens), with no
under story and a ground cover of mixed grasses mainly Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) and
Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica).
Area 2
Almost exclusively Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica). There is no upper story and little
other ground cover.
Area 3
The upper story has a very fragmented canopy of Elder (Sambucus nigra), Goat Willow
(Salix caprea), Ash (Fraxinus excelsiori) (14 –15m tall) and Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus)
(14 – 15m tall).
The under story is dense Bramble (Rubus fruticosus) with Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia
japonica) along the burnside.
Ground cover, where it occurs is Ivy (Hedera helix), the Ivy has also colonised many of the
trees.

Area 4
The upper story (14 – 15m high) has a variable density of canopy consisting of Elder
(Sambucus nigra), Goat Willow (Salix caprea), Ash (Fraxinus excelsior), Sycamore (Acer
pseudoplatanus) and Crack Willow (Salix fragilis).
Beneath the closed canopy Ivy has almost completely colonised the ground and many of the
trees.
The under story is dominated by Bramble (Rubus fruticosus) and Wild Raspberry (Rubus
idiaeus) where the Ivy is lightest. Along the burnside Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia
japonica) dominates.
Where the ground is free of Ivy, the ground cover is more diverse than in areas 1, 2 and 3.
Outside the canopy and amongst the Bramble and Wild Raspberry, Common Nettle (Urtica
dioica), Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens), Queen of the Meadow (Spiraea ulmaria),
Fern (Dryopteris spp.), mixed grasses and Broadleaf Plantain (Plantago major L) are growing
and thriving.
Along the burnside and occasionally further up the bank Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia
japonica) is growing vigorously.
Area 5
Area 5 has an upper story (14 – 15m high) of Elder (Sambucus nigra), Goat Willow (Salix
caprea), Ash (Fraxinus excelsior), Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) and Crack Willow (Salix
fragilis).
The trees are well spaced and the canopy light and Ivy is not so dominant. Bramble and Wild
Raspberry, Common Nettle (Urtica dioica), Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens), Queen
of the Meadow (Spiraea ulmaria), Fern (Dryopteris spp.), mixed grasses and Broadleaf
Plantain (Plantago major L) are all present with the addition of Rosebay Willow Herb
(Chamerion angustifolium).
Along the burnside and occasionally further up the bank Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia
japonica) is growing vigorously.
Conclusion
The site, as woodland, is in a derelict state, it appears to be approx 30 –40 years old. As a
habitat, the diversity of tree species and uneven age and density is advantageous. The lack of
management has left a limited under story and impoverished ground cover. The extensive
invasion of Japanese Knotweed is a major problem, which will have to be addressed quickly.
The trees and vegetation are stabilising a very steeply sloping bank, this stabilisation is
important for the development site and integrity of the burn. It is important therefore to make
changes to the habitat slowly.
The 1.8 metre high wood fence which is proposed along rear of the development, under

consideration, will exclude all access to the woodland, this has the advantage of improving the
likely-hood of wildlife activity within it. It also reduces the risk of falls and injury down the
steep bank and into the burn for members of the public and children in particular.
MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR WOODLAND HABITAT.
Years 1 to 3
The trees proposed for removal along the top of the bank, should be felled into the site and
removed, the stumps ground out, and voids filled. No other work should be started until a
temporary or permanent fence, has been erected along the entire length of the woodland to
prevent any damage to the habitat or contamination of the Candren Burn, during the site
development.
To protect the habitat from further deterioration, a programme of Japanese Knotweed
eradication should be started, using Glyphoste. A license from SEPA will be required for this
due to the proximity of the Candren Burn. The eradication programme will take 2 – 3
growing seasons. The spraying programme should be extended to include removal of Ground
Ivy from rings within Areas 3 and 4. Once the rings are clear Oak and Holly plants can be
established.
Any broken limbs, dead or dying trees should be felled and the timber and branches stacked in
wildlife piles within the woodland, and above the floodplain.
The Birch in Area 1A requires thinned, the spaces created can then be planted with Alder and
Crack Willow. This will stabilise the floodplain and provide a more diverse mix. Willow close
to the burn will provide an improved fish habitat.
The overhang from the Willow, and the dense undisturbed waterside, with hopefully improved
fish and aquatic stocks, may encourage Otters into the area. This, is unlikely to happen until
the Burn starts to run cleaner than at present, finding Spraints is likely to be the first evidence
of the arrival of Otters into the area. If it becomes apparent Otters are using the area, it may be
advantageous, to prevail on the Roads Dept to provide a ledge inside the culvert that lies
between this area and the remainder of the upstream corridor.
Years 3 to 5
Check eradication of Japanese Knotweed, inspect eradication sites for new species. If no
useful species are present, start planting programme.
The cleared Japanese Knotweed areas along the burnside should be seeded and planted with
the following.
6 groups of 9 Crack Willow (Salix fragilis)
6 groups of 9 Dogwood ( Cornus sanguinea)
3 groups of 15 Yellow Flag Iris (Iris pseudacorus) Within sight of Station Road.

This planting should be followed by seeding with a woodland edge mix, at a rate of 4 g sq/m
The mix we recommend for this site is supplied by - Habitat Aid Ltd., The Old Rectory,
Lamyatt, Somerset BA4 6NH.
A Woodland Edge seed mix
This mixture is a specially selected mixture of grasses and wild native woodland flowers that
will bloom in spring and early summer. It needs some shade. Please note that this mix includes
poisonous Digitalis. The bluebells in the mix are native, not Spanish, and harvested under
DEFRA licence in our supplier's own woodland20% native wildflower seed and 80% native
wild grasses.
% Wildflowers (by weight)
2.0 Agrimony Agrimonia eupatoria
2.0 Garlic Mustard Alliaria petiolata
0.5 Ramsons Allium ursinum
0.5 Wild Angelica Angelica sylvestris
0.5 Nettle-leaved Bellflower Campanula trachelium
1.0 Foxglove Digitalis purpurea
1.0 Teasel Dipsacus fullonum
1.0 Meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria
1.0 Hedge Bedstraw Galium mollugo
1.0 Wood Avens Geum urbanum
0.5 Bluebell Hyacynthoides non-scripta
1.0 Perforate St. John’s-wort Hypericum perforatum
1.0 Selfheal Prunella vulgaris
2.0 Red Campion Silene dioica
1.0 Betony Stachys officinalis
1.0 Greater Stitchwort Stellarea holostea
1.0 Upright Hedge-parsley Torilis japonica
2.0 Wood False-brome Brachypodium sylvaticum
% Grasses
80.0 Park Meadow Grass Mix
Over time, the existing plants, particularly Bramble and Rosebay Willow Herb can be expected
to colonise this area. Although this will help blur the edges of the planting, the density of this
invasion will require control.
Year 5 onwards
Carry out tree husbandry works as required on a 5 year cycle.
Maintain checks for Japanese Knotweed, spray out any reoccurrence annually,
Maintain approximate species balance by cutting or spraying on a 3 year cycle.
Remove litter and tipping on an annual basis.

Check site for nests or Otter activity before cutting or spraying.
1-A
Area 1 Area 2 Area 3
WOODLAND AND HABITAT SURVEY - CANDREN BURN,MILLARSTON
Woodland compartmented and sub-compartmented to identify habitat changes
Area 1 Area 1 - A
Trees
Salix caprea Betula pubecens
Crataegus monogyna
Fraxinous excelsior
Quercus robur
Ilex aquafolium
Vegetation
Rubus idaeus Dactylis glomerata
Dryopteris ssp. Fallopia japonica
C:\Documents and Settings\Dick\My Documents\OBrian\http maps.renfrewshire.gov.pdf
Area 2
Trees
None
Vegetation
Fallopia japonica
Area 3
Area 4
Trees
Sambucus nigra
Salix caprea Fraxinus
excelcior Acer
pseudoplatanus
Vegetation Rubus
fruticosus Fallopia
japonica Hedera
helix
Area 4
Area 5
Trees
Sambucus nigra
Fraxinus excelsior
Salix caprea
Salix fragilis
Acer pseudoplatanus
SOUTH
20th No
Vegetaion
Rubus fruticosus Rubus idaeus
Hedera helix Urtica dioica
Fallopia jaoponica Ranunculus r
Dryopteris ssp. Spiraea ulmar

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