Aspen tree really is one in a million
Community turn out to witness major milestone in Bishopton
An environmental group has grown to an important milestone after planting the millionth aspen tree in Bishopton.
Eadha Enterprises, based in Lochwinnoch, was set up ten years ago with the aim of saving the native tree from extinction. At that time there were only five of the trees left in Renfrewshire.
Thanks to lots of research and hard work, the remaining aspen trees have been cloned and new plants created and planted across Scotland.
The millionth tree was grown from cuttings collected by Alan Brown, from Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park, from the surge burn in the Renfrewshire heights, one of the original five.
It was planted at Dargavel Village by special guest Gavin Newlands MP at a space where Eadha is developing a wildlife haven including wildflowers, shrubs and trees to enhance the greenspace.
Peter Livingstone, CEO and cofounder of Eadha, said: “The event went very well, especially given the weather, and we had good community turnout.
“It’s amazing looking back at how far we’ve come. We have five voluntary directors and work with a number of casual staff.
“We also have a lot of volunteers who have helped us plant aspen trees.
“There are a million now planted across Scotland, about 50,000 in Renfrewshire planted by us.”
Mr Newlands, MP for Paisley and
Renfrewshire North, said: “It was an honour to be invited to plant Eadha’s 1,000,000th tree and support biodiversity and regeneration in our local communities.
“Reintroducing trees and forested areas destroyed in past decades is a vital part of tackling climate change and moving to a net-zero Scotland, which is why the Scottish Government has placed such a priority on it and made sure over 80 per cent of new plantings in the UK are here in Scotland.
“The project at Bishopton is one part of that ambition and shows how wildlife regeneration is not just something for rural areas – it’s a fundamental part of all our lives no matter where we live.”
Eadha, which is based in Lochwinnoch, is an environmental charity and social enterprise which specialises in the conservation, research, propagation and planting of rare native trees, rewilding and developing community woodland projects.
It was established ten years ago by Peter and works regularly with volunteers in its plant nurseries and to plant trees, providing training and a range of experiences for participants.
Aspen is an ideal tree to plant in former brownfield sites as the hardy tree helps put nutrients back into the soil and is fast growing and attractive to wildlife.
It’s amazing looking back at how far we’ve come. We have five voluntary directors and work with a number of casual staff