From tiny acorns...
Charity partnership sees planting of 500 oak trees
A new charity set up to protect trees and encourage tree planting in the Stirling area has recorded its first major success with the planting of 500 new oak trees.
TreeLink Stirling has facilitated the planting of the oaks, which were grown by wildlife photographer and environmentalist Roman Inauen from Killin.
The registered charity is delighted to see their efforts already making a difference in just a few short months since becoming officially established.
Roman said: “I had been looking for a suitable site for the 500-600 oaks that I grew from acorns for some time, so I contacted TreeLink.
“It was able to put me in touch with Iain Watt who is developing a forest for native species nearby at Lochearnhead.
“I was really pleased that Treelink could help in this way.”
Iain added: “Treelink has really helped me with our reforestation project. We have been planting native seedlings here on our ten acres of hillside for six years and have managed several thousand so far.
“Roman and I now hope to co-operate on growing and planting more native trees in the future. If anyone is interested in trees and woodlands in the Stirling Council area, I suggest they get in touch with TreeLink.” Paul Dumbleton, Treelink’s secretary said: “TreeLink was set up at the beginning of the year and is just starting to have an impact. It was very good to be able make the connection between Roman and Iain.”
TreeLink Stirling is a registered Scottish charity and its first project is developing a dispersed tree nursery, where people across the Stirling Council area grow trees from seeds and cuttings in their gardens. TreeLink will link the new saplings with community tree planting schemes.
TreeLink is talking to Stirling Council about other projects such as managing woodlands and developing wildlife corridors between existing woods. It also aims to reverse the loss of street trees in our towns and villages and would be interested to hear from people who know of streets where trees have been lost and not replaced.
On the significance of trees to the environment, the charity said: “We are in the midst of an ecological and climate emergency. Trees are of fundamental importance to individuals, communities and our environment and are essential for a healthy and sustainable planet. They are a vital part of our biodiversity. Trees capture and store carbon dioxide from the air, improve air and water quality and can help manage flood risk.”
For more information visit www.treelinkstirling. org or email: treelinkstirling@outlook. com.