DNA testing has been used to track down more native crab apple trees in the region.
DG Woodlands ran the project last month in a bid to find out how many natives there actually are in the region.
Project lead McNabb Laurie said: “There is only one type of apple tree considered native to the UK, the Crab Apple (Malus Sylvestris). It has a tendency to hybridise with non-native apple trees.
“Galloway has been found to have a nationally significant portion of the remaining native, ‘wild’ trees. A number of theories are proposed as to why this is.
“We have previously tested approx. 100 trees in Galloway and have secured capacity to DNA-test another 100 samples from across Dumfries and Galloway.”
Testing took place last month and work is now underway to map and record the native trees based on the results.
McNabb also hopes it will give them “new angles on why/where the native trees cling on” and to then build a better understanding of how to retain and support the native trees.
The project was made possible with support from partners including The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Woodland Trust Scotland, Scottish Forestry and Dumfries and Galloway Council – and a team of citizen scientists who helped with sampling.
