Mud and debris from forest floors can carry the active spores that spread tree diseases to new locations, so Forestry Commission Scotland’s Keep It Clean campaign urges visitors to ensure boots – and paws – are dirt and mud free before they arrive at a forest.

Bike tyres, walking poles and backpacks can also get muddy so taking a little time to brush these off can help too.

Dr Anna Brown, the Forestry Commission Scotland’s Head of Tree Health, said: “Practising good biosecurity and arriving clean – at any time of year – is one of the key aspects of maintaining healthy forests and woodlands.
“Tree diseases can be devastating. If we are to give ourselves a fighting chance of defeating these disease we have to buy ourselves time to develop practical solutions.
“Keeping it clean and preventing disease spread is a simple idea. It only takes a few minutes before visiting a woodland but it’s a few minutes that could make a could make a big difference.”

Dr Brown added: “Everybody loves visiting woodlands. If we want to continue to enjoy them then we should all be ready to play our part to protect them.”

The Club has 18 sites in Scotland including Oban, Nairn, Glencoe, Rosemarkie and Scone plus three Camping in the Forest sites – Cashel, Cobleland and Glenmore. Visitors to these sites can find more information and advice on the Keep it Clean campaign here.