Haddo Country Park’s Craigie Woods near Methlick will be reforested with more than 24,000 trees across 10 hectares to improve the biodiversity of the area, replacing those felled by Storm Arwen back in 2021.
All Aberdeenshire Council woodland plans are developed under the advice of Scottish Forestry. Among the 24,600 trees will be replacement conifers, including Sitka Spruce, Douglas Fir, and European Larch. These will be planted alongside the native broad leaves such as Downy Birch, Oak, Rowan, Goat Willow, and Alder.
These trees are in addition to last year’s efforts where volunteers from the local community helped to replant more than a thousand trees within the park's Squirrel Woods in March, adding to the 7,000 planted by Aberdeenshire Council and park staff in February 2025.
This next generation of reforestation is scheduled to begin in mid-February and will be planted in a way that mimics natural woodland growth. This allows additional young trees to sprout from seed between the gaps as nature intended, supporting the area’s birds, plants, insects, and small mammals with fresh habitats.
Most of the works will take place away from Haddo Country Park’s historic monuments, popular adventure playground, and extensive walking trails, allowing visitors to continue to enjoy everything the park has to offer while the reforestation takes place.
Councillor Iain Taylor, Aberdeenshire Council’s Formartine Area Committee Chair said: “Forestry is of key importance to our economy and environment. It supports tourism and recreation, creates jobs, and provides natural habitats for a range of creatures that scurry, forage, or flock to find a home in Aberdeenshire. It is fantastic to see these plans for our flourishing woodland being put in motion for the benefit of local communities and visitors alike.”
All the replanting is funded through the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund. The fund supports projects that restore wildlife and habitats on land and sea and address the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change.