Free Nut and Fruit Trees
Over the winter of 24/25 TreeLink Stirling worked to bring free nut and fruit trees to 2 low urban tree canopy neighbourhoods in Stirling - Raploch and Bannockburn. 200 trees we given away and 40% of households planted their own tree.
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.
We are pleased to announce that this project has been expanded and will be offering trees to household in the Cornton Community Council Area.
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 nut and fruit trees also have the potential to provide some tasty food!
Funded by:
How to claim your free tree
Applications will be open from July - September.
TreeLink Stirling would love to hear from you if:
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Have space in your garden for a nut or fruit tree
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You live within the community council area of Cornton
What trees are available?
You can choose between an apple, pear, hazel or walnut tree.
Am I guaranteed to get the tree I want?
Trees will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Depending on demand you may not get the type of tree you choose, but we'll try our hardest to give you your first choice.
How will I get my tree?
Trees will be distributed in February and March. This is when they are dormant and happy to be moved.
Will be in touch again towards the end of the year with delivery and planting options.
Raploch and Bannockburn - How did we do?
New trees in Raploch
New trees in Bannockburn
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Recipients were very happy to receive their free tree and meeting all the enthusiastic people was a highlight of the project.
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Targeting areas of low urban tree canopy with free tree schemes can work if designed well
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The project was promoted through local Facebook groups, door-to-door fliers, posters in local facilities and project ambassadors attended community meetings.
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Keeping the registration simple and communications system is essential
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95% completion rate achieved, but needed commitment
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This project identifies a low cost and straightforward way to achieve new urban tree canopy
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It cost approximately £30/tree (materials only)
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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 these locations?
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.
Recipient Survey Responses
We asked:
Let us know a little more about why the tree makes you happy or unhappy.
"It’s an exciting project for the family and our kids are interested in its growth. Walnut trees live for a long time and we like the thought that I could be an ancient, old tree one day."
"It makes me happy watching my tree growing leaf’s and it brings me joy when sitting In my garden thanks to team"
"I love to look at it it’s very pretty and looks great in my garden thank you"
"I absolutely adore my tree, watching it going from sleeping when it arrived to being in full of life has been amazing!! I can’t believe how quickly it’s grown."
"We are really enjoying the tree as our autistic son loves apples so this tree is for him to watch grow into a lovely apple tree just for him."
"The council cut down the trees that were in this garden before I moved here. There is no way I could afford to buy trees so this one was a lovely gift."
"There are lots of lovely green leaves and also blossom on the tree as our garden has lots of bees 🐝 and lowers to help pollination. Can't wait to see if we will receive some fruit this year."
I love being in, and developing my garden, and had wanted a fruit tree for ages. The fact it was free, and came with everything I needed was just amazing, and I feel very grateful to you for supplying it. Thank you "
"I want to have a garden with bushes & trees to encourage butterlies & bees. Having a tree that should grow fruit is a huge bonus.
"I love the idea of having a tree that is part of a community programme and I’m excited to see it grow and see what wildlife it encourages into the garden (e.g. birds, bees, butterlies). It adds more to the garden too - and a tree isn’t something I would’ve been able to afford myself - so it brings me happiness knowing there’s more diversity and fun stuff to explore for my child :)"
"Brings me joy and a purpose in my garden"
We asked:
Tell us more on your opinion of TreeLink Stirling's service and the Free Nut & Fruit Tree project.
"The people who delivered my tree were very informative and I enjoyed checking. Y tree every day. It helps my mental health care."
"Such a lovely friendly group of people who took the time to share their expertise about trees suitable for family gardens."
"I would love to do this again!!"
"Excellent service and friendly people."
"I think it is wonderful, once I had my tree I was spreading the word."
"Great project to boost greenery in the area, especially my new build estate."
"A truly worthwhile project to increase the number of trees in our urban environment."
I think it’s an excellent service & we have benefited greatly from the tree & the advice."
We asked:
Any further thoughts about the continuance of the project?"
100% of those surveyed would like the project to continue.
"Just an amazing project well done guys 👏👏👏"
"I think every resident should opt for a tree I am surprised how many did not & we love ours."
"I would like the option for more trees!! I would do this every year. It’s been amazing."
This is a fantastic opportunity for our community, my neighbour also receive a fruit tree we are comparing how well the trees are growing."
"Thank you, I'm too old to do much gardening now so it was wonderful having someone come do the hard work. I get to see it grow every day from my window."
"I would like to see it continue next year but I wouldn't request another tree as my garden isn't big enough. Maybe it would be good if it could be rolled out to other areas in Stirling."
"I think it would be lovely to expand into communal garden areas."
I think it’s an excellent service & we have benefited greatly from the tree & the advice."
"I would love to see this rolled out to more communities within Stirling, instead of just Bannockburn and Raploch."
"My neighbours have seen mine and would like trees too!"
"To not continue it would be an absolute betrayal of nature!!!"