The first of thousands of trees to be established in communities across central and southern Scotland through an innovative partnership between The Tree Council and SP Energy Networks have been planted during National Tree Week.
The partnership, announced earlier this year, kicked off with a volunteer planting day at Fernieside Recreation Ground in Edinburgh hosted by The Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust (ELGT), a charity dedicated to enhancing greenspaces across Edinburgh and the Lothians, for the benefit of people, wildlife, landscape, and heritage.
Sara Lom, The Tree Council CEO, said: “We are thrilled to partner with SP Energy Networks to do something truly wonderful for nature and for local communities.
“Trees and hedgerows play a crucial role in the environment and our daily lives – they help tackle climate change, provide homes for thousands of precious species of wildlife, improve our health and wellbeing, and so much more.
“Kicking off our partnership during National Tree Week is a fantastic way to celebrate the start of the tree planting season together.”
Aileen Rourke, SP Energy Networks’ Scotland Distribution Director, said: “It’s fantastic to see the partnership get off to such a great start during National Tree Week. Highlighting our efforts to reduce and offset our carbon footprint. We’re investing half a million pounds over the next four years to fund projects like this across our network area and plant more than 30,000 trees. I can’t wait to see them spring into life.”
SPEN Vegetation management team member working alongside Tree Council to plant a hedgerow
Volunteers from ELGT, SPEN, and the local community, planted native hedgerows which create habitats for small birds and mammals, enhance biodiversity, and make the area look more attractive.
Our SPEN volunteers, who are part of the Vegetation Management team, typically seek permission from our customers to cut their trees to meet our statutory safety clearance obligations. This initiative provided our volunteers with a great opportunity for them to be on the other side of the process, planting new trees and contributing positively to the environment.
The installed hedgerow runs along a boundary fence that is 110 metres long, with a gap in the middle for a gate. It will help ensure air quality and pollution buffering for a well-used community open space and sports ground, as it’s located alongside a main road. Working with the local community, ELGT established a total of 660 whips, including a variety of native species, over three planting and maintenance sessions. Additionally, a temporary fence was installed to provide protection for the planted area.
SPEN Vegetation management team members planting hedgerow
Charlie Cumming, Chief Executive, Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust, said: “We are delighted to be able to facilitate the creation of a new native hedge at Fernieside Recreation Ground in Edinburgh, with support from The Tree Council and fantastic SPEN volunteers.
“The newly planted hedgerow will serve as a vital habitat, offering food and shelter for a variety of wildlife and will encourage biodiversity, connecting green spaces and creating corridors for birds, insects, and small mammals to thrive.
“This project demonstrates how communities and organisations can come together to make a lasting impact on the environment and it’s inspiring to see volunteers dedicate their time to creating a healthier and greener Edinburgh.”
Teresa Parmenter, SPEN Vegetation Management Program Manager, took part in the volunteering day. She said: “It was amazing to get out and quite literally get our hands dirty as we planted the first hedgerows as part of our partnership. It’s really easy to see the difference our partnership with the Tree Council will make for groups like Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust, creating a cleaner and greener future across our network area.”
To find out more about The Tree Council, please visit www.treecouncil.org.uk. For more on National Tree Week, please visit www.nationaltreeweek.org.uk
