Tree planting at Strathallan kicks off 'A Tree for Every Child in Perthshire' © Strathallan School

Planting one tree for every child in Perthshire began Tuesday (22 November) with 60 trees planted thanks to The Woodland Trust.

The saplings were planted by Strathallan Prep School P 3-6 pupils to kick start ‘A Tree for Every Child in Perthshire’ project by Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust (PKCT) ahead of National Tree Week.

PKCT and The Woodland Trust are also working with local schools and pupils across Perthshire in the coming months to plant more trees through this project, including Kinloch Rannoch Primary, Bertha Park High School, Our Lady’s Primary (who will be planting at Perth Crematorium), and Pitlochry High School. A free public tree planting event is also open for everyone to reserve a spot for at Bamff Wildland on Sunday 11 December via Eventbrite.

Ian Baird, a volunteer from the Woodland Trust, who are providing all of the trees to be planted as part of the initiative, started each session with the pupils with an excellent tree planting demonstration.

Strathallan pupils with Ian Baird (Woodland Trust) and Catherine Leatherland (PKCT) before tree planting© Strathallan School

‘A Tree for Every Child in Perthshire’ (TEC) project consists of three workshops for each school to teach pupils the importance of trees, getting them planting trees, and how to look after them for the future.

TEC is expected to plant around 550 trees before the end of 2022, with the aim to continue the project in future years, amounting to the planting of thousands of trees across Perth and Kinross.

All trees planted as part of ‘A Tree for Every Child in Perthshire’ are also part of the Queen’s Green Canopy.

Strathallan Prep School pupils tree planting © Strathallan School

Catherine Leatherland, PKCT’s Discovery, Learning and Engagement Officer who is heading up the tree planting initiative, said:

It has been brilliant meeting all the children at the various schools to teach them about the importance of trees, and this next planting phase is even more fun as we all get stuck in. The pupils are so enthusiastic about being outdoors in nature and planting trees with their friends. ‘A Tree for Every Child in Perthshire’ not only aims to educate young people about nature, biodiversity and climate change but get them involved with hands-on experience to make the project their own. Thanks so much to Strathallan for helping start the planting phase of the project!

Paul Vallot, Biology Teacher and Eco-School Skills coordinator, said:

Strathallan School is thrilled to add to the Queen’s Green Canopy and help launch A Tree for Every Child in Perthshire. Planting trees is vital in the fight against the climate crisis we are facing and our pupils loved every moment of planting with the Catherine, Ian and Alex.

Helping our pupils discover simple but effective techniques to nurture the world around them is core to our school values and is part of our wider rewilding and sustainable development. Over the last two years, we have planted bee-friendly wildflower meadows, re-naturalised large parts of our school grounds and developed nature walks to encourage discussion about the incredible biodiversity we are so lucky to have here in Perthshire.

Alex Cairncross, Deputy Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross, who leads The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative in Perthshire, commented:

Tree planting contributes so much towards conservation and biodiversity, and the trees these young people planting will serve as a fantastic legacy of their individual efforts at their schools or nearby venues as well as for her late Majesty The Queen. I was delighted to present the school with a commemorative plaque to mark these plantings as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy so that everyone will know the contribution of these amazing young people.

Alex Cairncross (Deputy Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross) presenting Strathallan School with The Queen's Green Canopy plaque for trees planted by pupils © Strathallan School

To keep up to date with ‘A Tree for Every Child in Perthshire’, please visit our Education webpages.

For more information about The Queen’s Green Canopy, please visit https://queensgreencanopy.org

To reserve your free place at the Tree Planting at Bamff Wildland, Sunday 11 December from 10.00-16.00, visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tree-planting-at-bamff-wildland-tickets-465678656397?aff=ebdssbdestsearch&keep_tld=1