Tree and Woodland Plans and Projects
In addition to responding to requests for service and general maintenance, the Tree and Woodland Team prepare tree and woodland management plans and undertake larger scale work on particular sites and areas.
To find out more about these please view below.
There a number of woods around Blaeberryhill Park and to the south of Croftmalloch School which provide shelter, a habitat for wildlife and seasonal interest to the park and local paths linking to the Whitburn Town Walk.
Concerns regarding condition of the woods on southern side of park
As many of you will be aware, there have been a number of issues in the woods to the south of Blaeberryhill Park over the past few years.
A drop-in session and meetings with Whitburn Community Council and representatives from the emergency services were held a number of years ago.
Since that time, the Tree and Woodland Team have been working up plans for the woods.
Approval for Felling and Thinning
After various proposals were considered, approval for felling and thinning of the woods has now been granted by Scottish Forestry.
The plan is to fell most of the fast-growing conifer and poplar trees, some of which are fire damaged or have begun to blow down in wetter parts of the woods.
In other areas the trees will be thinned out to allow the remaining trees more room to grow.
Restoration
Where possible undamaged broadleaved trees, like oak and beech, will be retained to keep a wooded feel to the area.
The felled areas will then be replanted with slower growing species such as oak and birch.
The felling work will make a mess but within a few years the new trees will grow up and look more attractive again.
Operations
Work has now started on site.
Please be aware that the footpaths will be closed to be able to undertake the operations in a safe manner.
The woodland areas will look messy in the short-term but we plan to do drainage works and then replant the areas in the Spring.
Queries
If you have any queries about this work please email trees&woodland@westlothian.gov.uk (opens new window)
Get Involved
It is hoped that neighbours and those who use the park will want to get involved in planting the new trees. If you are interested please send your details to the contact above and and we will be in touch nearer the time.
(All data is stored in accordance with West Lothian Council's data protection procedures.)
Livingston's trees and woods, along with its parks and paths linking these, and residential and business districts, were a key part of the design of the 'new town'. As these have grown up over the past 40-50 years it has become a town within a 'forest'.
When the Livingston Development Corporation was wound up in 1997 the woodland areas were handed over to West Lothian District Council and the Woodland Trust, with agreed terms under which they were to be managed.
Today West Lothian Council is responsible for the management approximately 427 hectares (305 football pitches) of woodland and tree-belts in and around Livingston, with an additional 418ha of open-ground within or adjacent to them. It is also responsible for 9,940 individual trees and a further 1,280 trees in small groups.
Woodland Trust Scotland also manages large areas of woodland and information on these can be found on their website - Woodland Trust Scotland (opens new window)
Many of the tree-belts around newer housing areas are managed on behalf of the local residents by private factors.
The attached map shows the council's woods and those owned by Woodland Trust Scotland - Livingston Woods (PDF, 4 MB)(opens new window)
10/10/24 - Information gathering for a Long-term Forest Plan for Livingston
A "scoping" exercise is underway to gather information for a plan to manage the council's trees and woods across Livingston, over the next 10-20 years.
People living and working in Livingston are being asked to let us know about any important features which we may have missed and issues which need to be considered.
Further information and how to respond is given in the Livingston WLC Woods and Trees Long-term Forest Plan section below.
Benefits from the Urban Forest
These green assets provide many benefits and services to the local community including:-
- an attractive landscape with changing colours through the seasons
- flooding reduction
- reduction of traffic noise and pollution along roads
- shelter
- wildlife habitats
- produce oxygen and absorb CO2
- improved health and well-being
These urban trees and woods will play an increasingly important part in the functioning of the town as we face the effects of climate change and a decline in biodiversity across Scotland.
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Other information can be viewed here - Treeco2nomics (opens new window)
20 Year Plan
A plan is being prepared to guide the management of all the woodland and individual trees owned and managed by West Lothian Council across Livingston.
This plan will include necessary felling and replanting and thinning of existing woods. It has to be approved by Scottish Forestry, as well as the council itself.
It will also include suggestions for planting new areas of woodland.
The report and maps below provide information on the woods and the issues being considered, along with initial, outline proposals.
A summary of the main aspects of the report are given here:-
Maps
Map 1 - Location
- Map 2 Livingston Woods - WLC Woodlands and Context (PDF, 4 MB)(opens new window)
- Map 3 Livingston Woods - Woodland Management Types (PDF, 4 MB)(opens new window)
- Map 4 Livingston Woods - Constraints & Opportunities (PDF, 4 MB)(opens new window)
- Map 5 Livingston Woods - Outline proposals (PDF, 4 MB)(opens new window)
The Long-term Forest Plan (LTFP) will describe the major woodland management operations planned over the next twenty-year management period and aims to deliver long-term environmental benefits through sustainable forestry and arboricultural practices. The LTFP process is grant assisted through the Scottish Rural Development Programme. As part of the approval process the applicant is required to carry out consultation to explore relevant issues and opportunities.
