Tree-planting kids look to the future

New woodland is being created in Clarkston

A new woodland has been created in Clarkston with the planting of hundreds of trees by local schoolchildren and residents.

They took part in a community planting day at the open space off Clement Drive, with pupils from Clarkston Primary joining forces with residents of the Crystal Park, Wallace Wynd and Victoria Gardens housing developments and taking turns to plant the new saplings.

More than 800 trees will be planted on the two- acre site in the coming months, as part of an environmental project arranged and financed by housing development factors Newton property management as part of their 2020 Green Vision campaign.

The company is promoting community tree planting to help absorb carbon dioxide emissions and improve the local environment, saying: “Factors help manage lots of private housing estates which contain surplus land and this could be used to plant trees – the potential is enormous.”

Each tree planted at the initial community woodland day was then name- tagged by one of the Clarkston Primary pupils or youngsters living in the estate – who will now get to see the individual tree bearing their name grow and develop over the coming years.

New Clarkston estat e s owners’ association chair Tracey Kinloch said: “This project is a great opportunity to help our environment and to teach local children about the importance of our trees.

“The school presented the Woodland’s Trust story on The Man Who Planted Trees at assembly, which explains how it breathes life into the landscape and brings the community together.

“Children then enjoyed planting the trees, and they’ll be able to watch their tree grow over the years.”

Derek MacDonald, who is Newton’s joint managing director, said: “Creating a tactile link for a child between planting a tree, seeing it grow and the benefits to the environment is really the best way to encourage future generations, and we’re delighted to help get schemes like this off the ground.”

Also joining the pupils and residents for the planting ceremony at the housing development – on the site of the town’s former Boots factory – were staff from the property management firm and Airdrie North councillor Alan Beveridge.

Growing woodland Youngsters will be able to watch their individual tree grow at the Airdrie site

Exciting times Clarkston Primary pupils will be able to watch their new woodland grow

New environment More than 800 trees will be planted at the Crystal Park site

Tag team Each tree in the new Airdrie woodland is tagged with the name of the child who planted it

Team effort Housing development factors Newton arranged the tree planting, alongside the Woodland Trust

Special occasion Pupils from Clarkston Primary’s eco committee were among those helping at the planting event

Three cheers Pupils from Clarkston Primary helped to plan the new woodland