09-05-2025
Grants scheme supports more than 70 Dumfries and Galloway tree planting projects
Farmers, landowners, schools and community groups benefitted from the Dumfries and Galloway Tree Planting Scheme, with hazel, oak and birch amongst the most popular species planted.
A grants scheme has helped support more than 70 native tree planting projects across Dumfries and Galloway.
Farmers, landowners, schools and community groups benefitted from the Dumfries and Galloway Tree Planting Scheme, with hazel, oak and birch amongst the most popular species planted.
The programme offers grants of up to £1,000 towards native trees and protection and in 2024/25, 73 awards were made – allowing around 9,000 trees to be planted.
In 2024/25, 73 awards helped around 9,000 trees be planted.
The scheme is overseen by Dumfries and Galloway Woodlands, with funding coming from Woodland Trust Scotland, Scottish Forestry and the council's nature restoration fund.
Dumfries and Galloway Woodlands' Phil Dowling, who leads on scheme delivery, said: 'This season we saw some truly innovative and inspiring projects across Dumfries and Galloway, it's amazing what you can do with £1,000.
'We had schools transforming playing field margins, farmers planting parkland trees and communities creating orchards.
'I really enjoy seeing how so many unassuming sites can be changed for the better, for the long-term, by just adding some trees.
'Activity this year was only possible thanks to scheme funders, particularly Woodland Trust Scotland, Scottish Forestry and funding from previous rounds of the Nature Restoration Fund. We are working with potential partners now in the hope of re-launching the scheme shortly for the next planting season.'
Scottish Forestry's conservator for south Scotland, Neil Murray, added: 'This is great news and so rewarding to see the Dumfries and Galloway Tree Planting Grant Scheme supporting a great variety of projects in so many different locations.
'All these projects make a contribution towards tackling climate change, restoring nature, and simply improving the places that we live and work in.
'Scottish Forestry supports a vast range of woodland projects, both big and small. We are very supportive of this work and I'm particularly pleased to see so many volunteers, both young and old, get involved and planting trees – it is such a positive thing to do. Well done everyone involved.'
It's hoped the scheme will open in the summer for fresh applications.
