Keep it Clean – tree health call from Forestry Commission Scotland

Mountain bikers are being urged to ‘Keep it Clean’ and help stop the spread of tree diseases.

Mud and debris from forest floors can carry the active spores that spread tree diseases to new locations.

Forestry Commission Scotland’s  ‘Keep It Clean’ campaign urges visitors to make sure that boots - and tyres – are dirt and mud free before they arrive at a forest.

Dr Anna Brown, the Forestry Commission Scotland’s Head of Tree Health, said;

“Woodlands are great places to go mounting biking – it’s a fantastic antidote to the bustle of modern life. But if we want to continue to enjoy them then we should all be ready to play our part to protect them.

“Practising good biosecurity and arriving clean – at any time of year - is one of the key aspects of maintaining healthy forests and woodlands.

“Tree diseases can be devastating, both on woodlands and on the species that depend on them. If we are to give ourselves a fighting chance of defeating these disease we have to buy ourselves time to develop practical solutions.

“Keeping it clean is a simple idea. It only takes a few minutes before visiting a woodland but it’s a few minutes that could make a could make a big difference.”

Forestry Commission Scotland manages around 300 forests, including some of the finest in the country. Some of them are close to major urban centres and offer great opportunities for local residents and their pets to make short visits.