Free Nut and Fruit Trees

TreeLink Stirling has been working over the winter to bring free nut and fruit trees to 2 low urban tree canopy neighbourhoods in Stirling - Raploch and Bannockburn,

This project aimed to increase urban tree canopy in neighbourhoods where there are the fewest trees and we offered apple, pear, plum, and hazelnut trees to people who live in the project areas.

200 trees we given away and 40% of households planted their own tree.

Urban trees are great! They improve air quality, capture harmful carbon, create flood resilience, create homes and food for wildlife and generally make our neighbourhoods nicer places to be. Our urban fruit and nut trees also have the potential to provide some tasty food!

This project has been funded by an Urban Forestry Programme grant from Future Woodlands Scotland.

Raploch Community Council Area

Bannockburn Community Council Area

Applications will be open from May - September.

How to claim your free tree

How did we do?

Recipients were very happy to receive their free tree and meeting all the enthusiastic people was a highlight of the project.
Targeting areas of low urban tree canopy with free tree schemes can work if designed well
The project was promoted through local Facebook groups, door-to-door fliers, posters in local facilities and project ambassadors attended community meetings.
Keeping the registration simple and communications system is essential
95% completion rate achieved, but needed commitment
This project identifies a low cost and straightforward way to achieve new urban tree canopy
It cost approximately £30/tree (materials only)
Our volunteers gave their time for free!

TreeLink Stirling's volunteers worked hard but enjoyed the project - especially meeting all the recipients who may become involved with some of TreeLink Stirling's other activities.

Thank you for making this project possible Future Woodlands Scotland.

Why Raploch and Bannockburn?

Trees play a vital role in public health and wellbeing as well as having an essential role in combating climate change. Using the recently released Tree Equity Score, these areas have been identified as having significant disparities in urban tree provision, and therefore less access to the benefits that trees provide.

Tree equity score is based on a number of factors, including tree canopy, air pollution, heat, income, health, employment and age.

Following on from the hugely successful Free Trees For Babies Project TreeLink feels that extending this project is a great way to increase the urban tree canopy and promote the benefits of trees and food growing.

This project has been made possible through funding from the Urban Forestry Programme offered by Future Woodland Scotland.

These areas are also part of our Crown Of Trees and we are keen to work in these communities to further our project. You can find more about it here.