WOODLAND and HABITAT PLAN CANDREN BURN, MILLARSTON ...

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.