Winter storms have battered woods in Tayside and Fife — and it might still take a year before all of them are cleared.
Storm Arwen in November 2021 hit hardest, but storms Barra, Corrie, Dudley
and Eunice have also all left their mark.
Tentsmuir Forest is one of most popular spots for walkers, cyclists and horse riders in north east Fife.
Some sections of the forest, such as the area east of the Morton Lochs National Nature Reserve car park, are likely to remain closed until autumn next year.
Some woods, of course, have fared better.
We are mapping the storm damage and keeping track on the work to repair it.
The map below will be updated to reflect when fallen trees have been removed, paths cleared, and woods made safe for people to walk.
Many areas will need replanting, meaning our woods will not look the same for many years to come.
The race to repair our precious woodland
Officials have finished mapping the damage and are currently working out where to focus efforts.
Land and Forestry Scotland, Confor and Scottish Forestry are working together on this.
They used a mapping tool which uses recorded wind strength to gauge how likely an area is to have been damage and then carrying out inspections.
Badly affected areas include Angus, Perthshire, Aberdeenshire and the Borders.
Scottish Forestry helped “fast-track and simplify” the paperwork needed to approve tree felling and forest management.
Damaged trees – whether blown down during Storm Arwen or those at risk of collapsing afterwards as a result – will be removed. They will be taken to wood processors across Scotland.
Which woodlands have been damaged?
We have made our own assessment of Tentsmuir Forest, Templeton Woods, Kinnoull Hill, and part of Dunkeld and Birnam Walks.
General warnings to not enter several woodlands have been issued.
Templeton Woods is still officially closed to the public.
Dundee rangers warned visitors they were taking their lives in their hands if they chose to enter the woodland.
The storms flattened swathes of Tentsmuir with hundreds of trees down.
There are also reports of ancient trees felled by the high winds at Scone Palace.
If your woods has been closed or damaged, please let us know.
How are workers fixing up Storm Arwen woods?
We asked for timelines on when woods in Tayside and Fife damaged by Storm Arwen are likely to be repaired.
A Scottish Forestry spokesman said: “Most of the trees that have been flattened will be removed over the next year and sent to wood processors across Scotland. In time, the forests will be replanted.”
Forestry and Land Scotland, who manage Tentsmuir Forest, said the first priority is clearing access for local residents.
“After that, we will be looking at the other issues in Tenstmuir,” he said.
The majority of the “most popular” paths have been reopened.
Dundee City Council could not confirm when Templeton Woods will reopen, but a spokesman said updates will be issued “through the usual channels at the earliest opportunity”.
