A beaver deterrent has been installed at a Dunkeld beauty spot.
National Trust for Scotland staff have put mesh around a willow tree on a riverside path between Dunkeld and Birnam where beavers have been busy.
It is hoped the mesh will prevent local beavers from taking the tree down.
Beavers appear to have taken a significant chunk out of the tree, which overhangs the public footpath.
Tree monitored for safety
A National Trust for Scotland (NTS) spokesperson said the tree will probably “wither” as a result of the damage.
And staff are keeping an eye on the tree to ensure the safety of walkers and joggers.
A spokesperson for NTS said: “The willow tree in question sits on the National Trust for Scotland stretch of the Tay riverbank below Little Dunkeld and Birnam, below the houses at Willowbank.
“The recent beaver activity on this tree is being monitored and the wire was put on to prevent any further gnawing in the meantime as it is next to the footpath.
“We are monitoring the tree carefully, and also do regular patrols to monitor beaver activity in the area.”
Beavers a ‘keystone species’
The spokesperson said NTS “supports the return of beavers”, describing them as a “keystone species”.
A keystone species is one which plays a major role in an ecosystem.
“Their presence helps to maintain both wetland and woodland ecosystems and they serve an important function in the management of water catchments through natural flood alleviation.”
NTS has put a sign up at the beaver-chewed willow tree near Dunkeld, located not far from the celebrated Birnam Oak on the riverside path, explaining the presence of the wire mesh.
“Our policy also recognises that some mitigation is required at times,” said the spokesperson.
She added that NTS supported the Scottish Government’s national beaver strategy.
Humans hunted beavers to extinction across the UK mainland in the 16th century.
A number of the semiaquatic rodents reappeared in Tayside in 2006. How they got there is a matter of debate. Someone released them either illegally or by accident.
Challenges
Beavers can create problems for farmers. The dams they build can flood crop fields and their burrowing can damage agricultural land.
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