COMMUNITY groups are being urged to apply for a tree-planting grant that has now opened in the Scottish Borders.
Around £165,000 is on offer for 180 small-scale projects that could see as many as 30,000 native trees put in the ground between now and the end of the planting season.
The South of Scotland Tree Planting Grant will support planting on farms, village greens, school playgrounds, field edges and community spaces.
READ MORE: Forestry jobs: Operators being sought by Scottish Woodlands
Scottish Forestry is one of the partners involved in the grant and is supporting it with £40,000 this year.
Iain Laidlaw, operations manager with Scottish Forestry in South Scotland, said: “Winter is the best time of year for planting trees and we’re keen to get more applications in soon before the ground dries out in the spring.
“The partners involved in the South of Scotland Tree Planting Grant would welcome many more applications, so do get in touch if you are interested.”
The grant covers projects both in the Dumfries and Galloway area and Scottish Borders.
Field margin trees, individual parkland trees and small copses of less than 0.25 hectares are all encouraged. Up to £1,000 per application is available to cover material costs associated with the planting (and some labour for schools and communities).
All Dumfries & Galloway applications are initially handled by the Galloway Glens Team.
Jonathan Barrett, galloway glens management & access officer, said: “If you are looking to plant some native trees this winter, do get in touch to apply for a grant of up to £1,000 to cover costs. Recent applicants have varied from farmers and other landowners, through to schools and community groups.”
Scottish Borders applications are supported by Tweed Forum and Borders Forest Trust.
The South of Scotland Tree Planting Grant is supported through a partnership of Woodland Trust Scotland, Dumfries & Galloway Council, Tweed Forum, Borders Forest Trust, Scottish Borders Council, Nature Restoration Fund, Galloway Glens LP, Scottish Forestry and private donations.
Despite leading the way, Scotland continues to fall behind its planting targets like the rest of the UK. In the 12 months prior to March 2022, 10,480 ha of new woodland were created, below the 13,500 ha ambition. This was also down on the previous two years.
Applications can be made via the following:
Galloway Glens (for all of D&G)
- Contact Jonathan Barrett on Jonathan.barrett@dumgal.gov.uk or 07469 571806
Tweed Forum
- Borders Forest Trust Contact Hannah Cockett on hannah@bordersforesttrust.org or 07399275973
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here