Craig Leek SSSI (Sites of Special Scientific Interest)
Conservation of Scotland’s forests and natural heritage.
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) are designated by the Scottish Natural Heritage. SSSIs are areas considered to represent the natural heritage of Scotland in terms of plants, animals, geological and landscape.
There are over 1,400 SSSIs in Scotland, spanning over approximately 13% of the total land area of Scotland.
Epic Tree Care were awarded a 5 year contract to remove, and then control the regrowth of birch trees across the cliff on top of the mountain at the Craig Leek SSSI.
The limestone cliffs are habitat for an extremely rare bryophyte, a type of small moss which is only found in one other location in the world, and it is hoped that removing the encroaching birch trees will preserve its habitat and the wide biodiversity for future generations.
Also on the same site is a rare stalked puff ball – only found in 7 other places in the world.
Project
Forestry & Conservation
Location
Craig Leek, Aberdeenshire
Status
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
Size
1,000 hectares