A new scheme which encourages people to donate towards maintaining trees in Edinburgh was officially launched at Inverleith Park yesterday.
Tree Time is a pilot initiative led by the Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust in partnership with The City of Edinburgh Council and The Woodland Trust Scotland.
Its aim is to increase and maintain the capital’s trees by offering a way of commemorating a loved one’s life, marking a child’s birth, celebrating a special anniversary or just to show how much a person cares about trees and/or Edinburgh as a place.
The scheme was launched by children from Flora Stevenson’s nursery and Edinburgh Makar Alan Spence, who read a selection of short, tree-themed works.
By taking part in Tree Time, donors can choose from a range of packages from £20 to £5,000, all of which will go towards planting more trees in Edinburgh as well as looking after existing trees in the city, with an initial focus on planting more street trees.
Donating more offers the opportunity to sponsor an existing tree or pay for a new tree to be planted. A personalised, commemorative plaque will be placed on the tree in recognition of the donation.
Councillor Cammy Day, Depute Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Just last month Edinburgh became the first local authority in Scotland to sign the Charter for Trees, Woods and People and our commitment to protect, enhance, cherish, nurture and increase trees in the city is unwavering. There are already more trees than people in Edinburgh (650,000 trees compared to 513,000 people) and they add enormously to our wellbeing and quality of life. We’ve planted thousands of trees and whips since June 2017 and are determined to keep investing in more.
“However, trees can’t look after themselves – they need us as much as we need them. Unfortunately – and like all local authorities – many of our trees are under threat due to their age, environmental changes and diseases such as Dutch Elm.
“We know our residents are equally as passionate about our trees as we and our partners are and I think Tree Time is an excellent way for people to play a pivotal role in making this city better, healthier and even more beautiful while celebrating a special occasion or commemorating a loved one.”
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
