National Trust joins Mail to protect Scotland’s trees

FOR almost 100 years it has protected Scotland’s most iconic historical places, including the ancient woodlands that served as a backdrop to many momentous events over the centuries.

Now the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) has shown its continued commitment to preserving the nation’s trees by backing the Mail’s ‘Be a Tree Angel’ campaign.

The trust, which has been protecting Scotland’s heritage since it was founded in 1931, is just the latest organisation to throw its weight behind the cause.

As well as playing a crucial role in the fight against the climate change emergency, the charity’s woodlands have provided an accessible adventure playground for the nation for decades.

Studies have found that today only one in five children has a ‘connection to nature’, with time spent playing outside halving in only one generation.

Traditional games such as playing with conkers and flying kites have seen a decline, provoking fears that today’s youngsters are missing out on activities that once kept previous generations entertained.

The impact that this disconnection with nature is having on children’s physical and mental health is causing concern.

However, with its unique portfolio of properties and estates spread across the country, the National Trust for Scotland is playing a crucial part in helping children – and their parents – get back to nature.

Joining the growing body of organisations backing the Mail’s campaign, a spokesman for the NTS said: ‘The NTS is fully committed to the recovery of the nation’s landscape to mitigate against climate change and to restore habitats.

‘A prime example of this is the Mar Lodge Estate in Aberdeenshire where we are in the process of a 200-year plan to recover the ancient Caledonian pine wood. We are restoring stunning landscapes that will benefit the nation.

‘We would commend the Mail’s campaign and hope as many people as possible can get involved.’

The Daily Mail’s Be A Tree Angel campaign, organised with the Tree Council, is encouraging readers to plant trees to help make a greener Britain – and protect existing trees.

Earlier this week we reported that councils across the UK have been chopping down street trees at the rate of 60 a day, according to figures disclosed through Freedom of Information laws. In Scotland, Glasgow City Council felled 589 in the past 36 months.

Councils insist many more trees are being planted for each one cut down, but it takes around 100 saplings to reduce pollution and absorb greenhouse gases to the same extent as a mature tree.

Yesterday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said 22million trees were planted last year in Scotland, representing 84 per cent of the

UK total. Meanwhile, all major parties are pledging to plant huge amounts of trees if elected.

The NTS is an independent charity that protects and shares some of Scotland’s most precious historic places and natural landscapes.

It does this by conserving ancient pines which still produce viable seed after some 200 years, while simultaneously protecting seedlings from widespread grazing red and roe deer.

Last year, the NTS also oversaw the planting of 280 trees at Glen Rosa on Arran as it looked to conserve its flora and fauna.