Montane scrub, of which montane willows are a rare component, is typically found above the natural treeline. After centuries of overgrazing however, it is now only found in a small number of locations in Scotland. One of the best sites is in Corrie Fee at the head of Glen Clova.

Forestry and Land Scotland secured permission to collect a limited number of cuttings and seed from remnant montane willows, to create conservation seed orchards to grow planting stock and increase the genetic diversity of remnant and new populations within the catchment.