Angus groups to benefit from biggest ever distribution of trees

Schools and community groups throughout Angus are preparing to dig in as they await their share of the Woodland Trust’s biggest distribution of free saplings.

More than half a million native trees are on their way to groups across the UK, including 54,330 that have been allocated to Scottish schools and community groups.

The scheme is organised by the Woodland Trust with support from Sainsbury’s, Ikea, players of People’s Postcode Lottery and Yorkshire Tea.

The Angus trees have been grown at the Alba nursery outside Edinburgh

Recipients will include Barry Mill Healthy Outdoor Volunteers and Cortachy, Monikie and Southmuir primary schools and Brechin High School.

The trust’s director of woodland outreach, John Tucker, said: “The popularity of our free tree pack scheme is testament to how much the public love trees.

“We’ve never given out so many in such a short space of time.

“People tell us they’re planting to encourage wildlife, to combat climate change, prevent flooding and improve health and wellbeing.

“It’s wonderful as trees and woods are under threat like never before from pests, disease and development.

“We need more trees. “We are one of the least wooded countries in Europe, so we’re thrilled our scheme is going from strength to strength,” he added.

Applications are now open for school and community tree packs for delivery in March 2018 at woodlandtrust.org.uk/ freetrees.

The packs contain a mix of native species and are free.