Rhododendron Ponticum was introduced to Britain 140 years ago and can now be found thriving in many different habitats including woodlands where it is well adapted to the conditions and can compete very successfully. It has a toxin in the leaves which means that few animals are able to eat them. They can grow to over 6 metres in height and it is believed that they can live for over 100 years. It reproduces both by the spreading of large quantities of seeds and by layering. In this way they can rapidly cover large areas of ground, preventing the regeneration of woodland plants and trees and poisoning the soil.

Control of Rhododendron is a major part of the woodland management plan at Dunbeag. No chemicals are used, instead the plants are first cut down and the roots removed if possible. If they can't be uprooted, then the stump is allowed to re-grow for a year, cut flat to the ground and then mulched. This usually kills the plant or at least severely weakens it. Later this year, a mulch material made from sheep wool will be tried. It is hoped that it will be as effective as the plastic sheeting, but have the advantage of degrading over time, feeding the soil and allowing regeneration of the woodland to proceed unchecked.

Given time, this small patch of Rhododendron will invade the whole woodland (above) Here is the same patch after it has been "bashed" and a piece of old carpet layed on top.