A conservation charity is harvesting seeds from dwarf birch trees as part of a national project to protect trees for generations.
Trees for Life have banked the seeds in the underground vaults of Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank at Dundreggan Conservation Estate in Glenmoriston near Loch Ness, to form the UK’s first iconic nature collection.
The seeds will be stored in a specially temperature and humidity controlled environment at the Millennium Seed Bank before being processed and transferred to deep-freeze conditions. The seeds should remain viable for many decades and will be available to support research and on-the-ground conservation activity.
Their efforts are part of the UK National Tree Seed Project, set up by the Royal Botanical Gardens in May 2013 to help protect trees and woodland from pests and disease such as ash dieback.
Emma Beckinsale, Trees for Life nursery assistant, said: “We collected seed from over 50 plants. Because dwarf birch is a small, low growing tree it is always at risk of overgrazing by deer and sheep, so we are delighted that we can contribute to the conservation of this species both locally, and globally through the Millennium Seed Bank.”
Dwarf birch is part of the montane scrub group of plants that grow at high elevation – more than 984ft – in the Scottish hills.
The trees grow no more than 3ft and are often found growing on their side along the ground.