Memorial trees for the victims of coronavirus
Councillors are set to approve plans for memorial tree planting as a tribute to those who died from Covid-19.
Across South Lanarkshire, almost 800 fruit trees would be planted in 13 locations to officially recognise victims of the pandemic if the plans are approved by the climate change and sustainability committee on Wednesday, August 25.
The memorials would also “highlight the importance of tree planting for the environment” and “link directly into the aims of the food growing strategy and action plan”.
Parks in Rutherglen, Cambuslang, East Kilbride, Hamilton and Lanark are among those officers have proposed as locations for the memorial trees.
Biggar, Blantyre, Stonehouse and Strathaven could also have memorial trees planted while Chatelherault and Calderglen Country Parks are also being considered.
Nine community groups as well as South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture have been consulted
around the proposed locations of the trees.
Funding of £12,000 from the council’s Food Strategy Support Fund has been earmarked for the project.
If approved planting of the memorial trees wouldn’t get under way until 2022 due to difficulties in sourcing fruit trees.
In a report to committee, executive director for community and enterprise Michael McGlynn said: “There has been a level of community interest in how best to recognise the loss of life due to Covid and given the sensitivities around such a matter there are undoubtedly a number of approaches to respectfully do this.
“This proposal is not to the exclusion of others that may come forward from other parties however in developing the proposal it is hoped that it will provide a memorial local to communities for reflection and contribute to wider community objectives.
“Consideration was given to planting trees in each and every settlement across the council area.
“However, the view was reached that it would be more appropriate to concentrate planting within a larger park setting and the number of trees to be planted in each location would provide a degree of scale and presence, fitting of a memorial.
“On this basis it is proposed to plant fruit trees in 11 district parks and two country parks estimated to be 62 trees per location.
“Given that specific areas will require to be identified within each park the final number of fruit trees to be planted will be based on the number of registered Covid-19 deaths on 19 July 2021 (798), as being the date South Lanarkshire moved to Level Zero.
“It is appreciated that unfortunately there have been further deaths since that date however it was considered appropriate to select a date based on changes to restrictions.
“The trees will not be dedicated to individual residents who have passed away rather it will be a general remembrance across a range of locations where relatives and family could attend and reflect.”