Forth Rivers Trust (FRT) in collaboration with Sandra Stewart of Farming and Conservation have been delivering native trees to several farmers across the Stirling Council area. Last year, Stirling Council provided 1000 native oak, aspen and willow to Forth Rivers Trust. Sandra, who undertakes contract work with FRT, offered a small area of her smallholding to use as a tree nursery until the trees were ready to plant out.  This spring, farmers received delivery of their trees and have been planting them. 

Trees should be planted in the winter months and no later than end of April as they are in senescence over this period. The oak is pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) and distinguished from the sessile oak by having female flowers and acorns set on long stalks and the leaves are almost stalkless. Oak trees are slow growing, and will take 100 years or more to mature, however, they are one of our most valuable trees as they support an abundance of wildlife.  Aspen (Populus tremula) is a member of the poplar family with oval to almost round leaves with wavy edges. Aspen often forms a thicket of sucker shoots in wetter or marshy areas. It is called ‘the shaking tree’ due to its constant moving leaves. 

There are eighteen native species of willow (Salix spp.) and many hybrids.  Willow, like aspen, prefer damp ground, and both are ideal trees to plant along watercourses to create a riparian corridor.  These trees will provide shade for cool rivers, food, and cover (in the root system) for fish and many insect species. Plus, willow is one of the early flowering trees that offers crucial pollen for the queen bumblebee: the first to emerge in the spring.

When planting, trees require protection from browsing animals.  Although compostable tree tubes are becoming available on the market, there was no funding provided for tree protection. Instead Forth Rivers Trust were able to provide a few spare tree tubes and stakes left over from another project and each farmer will provide protection for the remainder of their trees. If the plastic tubes are removed then the trees will get off to a good start, and the tree tubes will be recycled. 

To dig up the trees from the nursery, deliver them to farmers and undertake some planting, Sandra had help from Hamish Fleming, a school pupil at St Leonards. Hamish is in his second year at school and during his Easter holidays has spent a week undertaking work experience. Not only has he been tree planting, but he has also been helping a charity packing goods for delivery to Ukraine.  Thank you to Hamish for his enthusiasm and hard work!

Hamish delivering trees to Matthew Carrick, farmer (left). Sandra and Hamish working in the tree nursery (centre). Hamish planting a tree (right).