Scottish rainforest silent killer' rooted out by scientists
Yet, their survival has been threatened by thickets of rhododendron, first introduced to the UK as ornamental plants two centuries ago.
However, progress is being made. Ahead of World Rainforest Day on June 22, Forest and Land Scotland (FLS) have announced a new milestone in their restoration efforts over the last year.
FLS teams restored 1226 hectares in 2024/25, up from 930ha last year. Work included removing invasive rhododendrons, returning native species to the forest, and ensuring deer populations are effectively managed.
Rhododendron has run rampant across Scotland's rainforests. (Image: FLS) Dubbed the 'silent killer of Scotland's rainforest', due to its proclivity to rob other plants of space, water, and light; rhododendron is FLS' top target.
One 'practical and targeted' solution involves injecting each the stem of each plant with a small dose of herbicide.
FLS Native Woodland Ecologist Richard Thompson praised his team's work in combating the rhododendron scourge.
Thompson said: 'Following on from the success achieved by the National Trust at some of its sites, FLS is starting to use stem injection at large landscape scale. Results have been encouraging and we are hoping to roll out its use more widely across other FLS managed rainforests.
'FLS manages a substantial proportion of Scotland's rainforest, and with around 8000 hectares of priority rainforest rhododendron areas on land managed by FLS it is imperative that effective and efficient control measures at landscape scale can be refined and deployed.
'However, to truly control the spread of Rhododendron, it needs a strategic, collective and collaborative effort from all landowners and managers including estate and residential gardens.'
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In 2020 the National Trust for Scotland launched Project Wipeout, targeted at invasive species like rhododendron.
According to the Trust: 'Cross breeding with frost-hardy rhododendron species from north east America has produced hybrid vigour and helped the plants adapt to colder temperatures.
'Together with its fertility and tolerance of shade, the plant has been able to thrive in our climate and out-compete native flora.
'Almost half of the core areas of Scotland's rainforests are being choked with R. ponticum.'
Project Wipeout has been rolled out across Scotland over the last five years.
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