Muddiesdale trees deliberately damaged

A number of young trees within Muddiesdale Park in Kirkwall have been deliberately damaged. 

The wooded area, which belongs to the Council, is a popular walking route for families and regarded as a valuable wooded area within the town, created by many volunteers alongside OIC staff. 

A number of trees have been cut down, bent and broken in an attempt to create a “den”. 

Chair of the Council’s Education, Leisure and Housing Committee, Councillor Gwenda Shearer said: “We want people to enjoy being outdoors and what nature has to offer but not at the expense of the young saplings which have been planted there to create a much-used wooded area with paths. 

“It’s so disappointing to see the hard work of others being disregarded in this manner.” 

The matter was raised by a concerned member of the public with Jane Rawle, of the Orkney Woodland Project, and Kirkwall Police. 

Jane said: “Muddisdale is now over 25 years old and a valuable natural environment to the urban fringe of Kirkwall that is used by many locals and visitors. A local primary school also uses this area regularly to cultivate an appreciation and respect of a woodland habitat for their young children.  

“It is heartbreaking to see this kind of damage to young trees that have purposely been cut down, pulled over and ringbarked. We are all responsible for keeping an eye out for this behaviour. Destruction caused within an hour by some can take many years to regrow and re-establish by many."   

The Council has arranged for a garden contractor to tidy up the affected area and save any trees that are not too badly damaged. 

Anyone with information in relation to the incident should contact Kirkwall Police on 101.