The 43,000 square metre broadleaf woodland creation will cover ground at Denmarkfield, approximately two miles north of the Inveralmond roundabout in Perth.

The first ground was broken on site by a 27-strong group of employees of the main project contractor BAM Nuttall, the Friends of Denmarkfield community group and the Denmarkfield Rewilding Project staff.

The volunteers planted more than 600 trees. In addition to the community’s efforts, BAM Nuttall landscaping contractor GB Landscapes will plant a further 4,200 trees across the rewilding project site prior to the end of 2023. The trees and shrubs being planted are a mixture of Oak, Birch, Rowan, Hazel, Aspen, Holly, Wild Cherry, Crab Apple, Dog Rose, Blackthorn and Hawthorn.

As well as the plants themselves, BAM Nuttall also prepared the ground, supplied and fitted tree protectors, and provided and installed deer fencing on the site.

BAM Nuttall project director, William Diver, said: “We are delighted to be helping to deliver this new woodland as one of the many community benefits associated with the wider construction project.’

“All the trees have been sourced through Scottish suppliers and are indigenous to this region, so once established will be sympathetic to vegetation locally in the surrounding area. This is a major rewilding project and a great example of our commitment to providing additional value to local communities as part of the Cross Tay Link Road project.”

The Cross Tay Link Road project involves constructing a 3-span bridge over the River Tay and six kilometres of a new road linking the A9 and the A93 to Blairgowrie and the A94 north of Scone. It also includes the realignment of two kilometres of dual carriageway on the A9 just north of Inveralmond Roundabout.

The new road will significantly reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality in Perth’s city centre while opening up active travel opportunities and will give access to areas around the city for sustainable development.

Perth & Kinross Council’s roads infrastructure manager, Jillian Ferguson, added: “Ultimately, this project is about reducing carbon through traffic congestion and vehicle emissions, so it is a great bonus to be having positive carbon outcomes through new forestation as well.”

The new woodland will be managed long-term by the Rewilding Denmarkfield team.

Ellie Corsie, Rewilding Denmarkfield project manager, commented: We are very grateful to the Cross Tay Link Road Project for supporting our rewilding project. With the trees and fencing they have provided we are able to implement our ambitious and unique woodland creation project which will benefit biodiversity and the climate.”

Overall, BAM will plant more than 100,000 trees to in part compensate for those removed to make way for the new road. This represents an increase of more than 100% in overall vegetation in the area.

As part of the rewilding of Denmarkfield, next year, BAM will also be assisting the rewilding team with the creation of a new community allotment space and the planting of a community orchard.