Important tree removal works to get underway at Callendar Park.
Work will begin this week to prepare for the removal of around 300 Sitka spruce trees from Callendar Park after inspections found their deteriorating condition presents an increasing risk to public safety.
Vegetation clearance will get underway on Tuesday 25 August 2026 with the removal of the affected trees beginning in September lasting four weeks. The area will be temporarily closed off to ensure works can be completed safely and paths from Callendar Road to the front of Callendar House will be affected with access to the park from Estate Avenue, Seaton Place and Callendar Boulevard.
A detailed tree survey carried out by an independent tree arboriculturist in July 2025 identified that the trees are infested with Great Spruce Bark Beetle (Dendroctonus micans) and recommended their removal. Some of the trees are already dead, while others are showing signs of decline.
As the affected trees deteriorate, they become increasingly brittle and structurally unstable. This increases the risk of branches breaking or trees falling, particularly given their location within a busy public park and alongside Callendar Road.
Removing the trees is therefore necessary to manage that safety risk and prevent their condition deteriorating further. The work will also help limit the potential for the non-native pest to cause further damage to susceptible trees and woodland.
The work is being carried out in two phases, with the first phase already complete. The second phase is due to begin on Tuesday 25 August 2026 and will begin with vegetation clearance.
Before work could proceed, the Council obtained the necessary felling licence from Scottish Forestry, Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic Environment Scotland and badger licence, NatureScot. The trees have also been checked for bat activity and a bird survey will be carried out before work starts to ensure wildlife is protected.
Replanting cannot take place on the same area because it lies on the Antonine Wall, a Scheduled Monument. The existing tree stumps will also remain in place to avoid disturbing the archaeology.
Michael McGuinness, Head of Growth, Planning, Sport and Culture said:
We know that removing this number of trees will be very noticeable, particularly along Callendar Road, but the safety of people using the park and travelling alongside it has to come first.
“Some of these trees are already dead and others are declining. As their condition worsens, they become more brittle and unstable, increasing the risk of branches or trees falling. The survey was clear that they need to be removed and leaving them in place is not really an option.
“We have carefully planned the work around the wildlife and important archaeology within Callendar Park. Unfortunately, because this area sits on the Antonine Wall, we cannot simply replant trees in the same location.
“We have planted trees elsewhere in the park over the past two years and will continue to look at where further planting can take place appropriately.