St Madoes Primary Pupils pitch in as over 500 trees planted across region.

Pupils from St Madoes Primary School became the latest school to plant trees in their community as part of the A Tree for Every Child Project led by Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust. Work started on planting 90 trees on Wednesday (13 December) in Sidlaw Park, St Madoes as A Tree for Every Child burst through its target for 500 trees being planted this season.

Pupils from St Madoes Primary admire their handiwork with PKCT & Council Project Team © PKCT

The project, now in its second year, gives primary school pupils the chance to learn about the importance of trees for our environment, as well as providing the opportunity to get their hands dirty and plant their own.

Across November and December pupils from Milnathort, Glenlyon, Fossoway, Abernethy, and Guildtown Primary Schools have also picked up their shovels and planted saplings. While most of the trees planted have been native woodland species, 40 fruit trees have been planted at St Madoes to create a community orchard. 

Catherine Leatherland (PKCT) who leads the project said:

 

We’re delighted with the success of this year’s plantings and to see the enthusiasm of all the kids who have taken part. 

 

Caring about the environment is something we can all do in our everyday lives and lots of small changes can make a big difference. We hope the pupils who have taken part will see their trees grow over the years and will continue to appreciate nature as they too grow and face a changing world.

 

Schools who take part in the project receive 2 workshops delivered by PKCT as well as all the tools, trees, expertise and in-person guidance needed for a session of tree planting.

 

Planting gets underway for the St Madoes community orchard © PKCT

Speaking about the planting at Sidlaw Park, Councillor Richard Watters (Convener of the Council’s Climate Change and Sustainability Committee and Trustee of PKCT) said:

It’s fantastic to see the efforts of pupils at St Madoes and we really appreciate the enthusiasm that the young people have for nature, as well as their willingness to roll up their sleeves and get involved.

 

Tree planting and rewilding efforts like this have a range of benefits for the community and the environment in general. As well as providing a community amenity to enjoy, trees are important for air quality and for recycling carbon in our atmosphere. In a changing climate they are also useful for stabilising soil and even acting as natural protection against flooding.

 

Hopefully we’ll continue to see more proactive nature projects like this in our communities that can bring people and organisations together to work towards protecting and enhancing the environment that we all share.”

 

The idea to plant trees at Sidlaw Park was the brainchild of Kate Barron from the St Madoes and Glencarse Biodiversity Village group, with Perth and Kinross Council taking the lead on co-ordinating the planting and funding the 40 fruit trees to be planted on the site, in addition to the native trees donated by Glendoik Garden Centre. On the day planting support and supervision was provided by Neil and team from PKC’s contractor Trees Plus, who led a tree planting demonstration for each class. Also attending in support were Stephen Woollard, Chair of PKCT, and Richard McDonald and Laura Kerr of Perth and Kinross Council’s Greenspace Team.

 

Volunteers hard at work at the Bunkhouse at Glassie Farm, Aberfeldy © PKCT 

Referring to the support of partner organisations in delivering the project, Catherine added:

We are also extremely grateful for the support of our partners and funders who have helped bring this project to life. Thank you to everyone who has supplied trees for the different sites, such as Glendoick Garden Centre at Sidlaw Park. Thanks also to Scottish Forestry for their generous funding, Perth and Kinross Council for funding and expertise, local landowners for supplying land for planting, and The Gannochy Trust for their continued support of our Education Work.

 Planning for the 2024 Tree for Every Child project is already underway and any schools that would like to register their interest can email [email protected].

Pupils from Glenlyon Primary planting trees at the Bunkhouse at Glassie Farm, Aberfeldy © Jo Foo Wildlife Photography