Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust’s (PKCT’S) annual ‘A Tree for Every Child’ project celebrated its biggest year so far with over 250 children from across Perth and Kinross teaming up to plant almost 1700 native trees.

Between November and February, pupils from Aberuthven, Inch View, Newhill, Glenlyon, and Royal School of Dunkeld primary schools have picked up their shovels and planted saplings such as Oak and Hazel in school grounds, community spaces and private land from St Magdalene’s Hill in Perth to The Bunkhouse at Glassie Farm in Aberfeldy.

Pupils from the Royal School of Dunkeld celebrate planting a new woodland (c) Land Rover Experience Scotland

The Tree for Every Child project sees PKCT deliver in-person outdoor learning workshops educating pupils on the importance of trees to our environment and how to care for them, as well as providing all the tools, trees and in-person guidance needed for a session of tree planting.

In addition to this three workshop programme, standalone events are organised each year to enable families and other community groups to take part.

This year, Bridge of Earn Wildlife Watch and PKAVS Woodland Craft Group got involved, providing for many their first opportunity to plant a tree.  Two further planting events were organised for members of the public, with all spaces booking up within a couple of days.

Pupils from Glenlyon Primary School after their planting session at The Bunkhouse at Glassie Farm, Aberfeldy (c) PKCT

Project manager Catherine Leatherland (PKCT) said:

“It’s fantastic to see the number of trees planted by young people in Perth and Kinross this year. The Tree for Every Child project continues to go from strength to strength and we’re proud that over the last three years we’ve managed to reach hundreds of children from schools across Perth and Kinross, planting nearly 3,000 trees. 

The popularity and success of our public ‘Plant a Tree with PKCT’ events shows that there is an appetite for climate action and volunteering locally and we’re delighted to play our part. 

Trees play such a vital role in our environment and in providing habitats for wildlife. While it can be easy to feel that tackling climate change is beyond our control, enabling children to have fun while learning, and plant their own trees reminds us that there are things we can all do to care about the future of our planet.” 

Pupils from Glenlyon Primary School planting trees in hills above Aberfeldy (c) PKCT

The planting sessions in Dunkeld took place on the grounds of Land Rover Experience’s off-road driving centre who volunteered to be part of the project. Speaking about their involvement with A Tree for Every Child, Will Cox (Managing Director – Land Rover Experience Scotland) said:

“We’re pleased to have been able to work with PKCT and the local community to plant native species on part of our site. 

It’s been great to see the number of school pupils and members of the public who have grabbed a spade and got stuck in, and hopefully they’ll see the results of their hard work for decades to come.” 

Pupils planting a tree on the Land Rover Experience Scotland site at Dunkeld (c) Land Rover Experience Scotland

Referring to the support of partner organisations, Catherine added:

“A Tree For Every Child relies on funders, donations and partnership working each year and PKCT is incredibly grateful to everyone involved in this year’s project. Special thanks go to PKC and SGN for their kind donations, and to Land Rover Experience Scotland, The Bunkhouse at Glassie Farm and Perth and Kinross Council for their continued effort to enable tree planting at their sites. Trees are also obtained each year from the Woodland Trust’s Free Trees For Schools and Communities Scheme, and the TCV I Dig Trees scheme.”

Planning for the 2025/26 Tree for Every Child project is already underway and any schools that would like to register their interest or donate to the project can email [email protected].

Sun pokes through the trees in Dunkeld as pupils plant more trees