Stirling may be surrounded by iconic Scottish scenery, but not every part of the city enjoys the same access to nature. In neighbourhoods like Raploch and Bannockburn, tree cover is especially low.

These are exactly the kinds of places where community-led greening can make a difference. Last year, we partnered with TreeLink Stirling through our Urban Forestry Programme to help them expand their free tree initiative into gardens where trees are most needed.

Over the 2024-25 planting season, 200 fruit and nut trees were delivered to residents across both neighbourhoods, including varieties such as apple, pear, plum, walnut and filbert. Every tree was offered free of charge, with TreeLink Stirling volunteers stepping in to support planting, particularly for people who couldn’t do it themselves.

As the trees settle in, their benefits are already being felt, with the first signs of fruit and increased shade, to the simple joy of watching something grow just outside your window.

One local parent shared: “We are really enjoying the tree as our autistic son loves apples, so this tree is for him — to watch it grow into a lovely apple tree just for him.”

Another resident added:

“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.”

And from someone now watching their tree from indoors each day:

“It makes me happy watching my tree growing leaves and it brings me joy when sitting in my garden, thanks to the team.”

The project was delivered entirely by volunteers and supported through a system based on TreeLink Stirling’s Free Trees for Babies model, making it easy for people to sign up online and receive help throughout the planting process.

At Future Woodlands Scotland, this is exactly the kind of work our Urban Forestry Programme was created to support. It is community-first, place-based, and focused on creating lasting change. It also contributes to our wider goal of supporting the 3-30-300 rule:

• 3 trees visible from every home
• 30% canopy cover in every neighbourhood
• 300 metres to the nearest high-quality green space

One tree can make a difference, but 200 trees, planted with care, can begin to reshape a neighbourhood.

Following the success of this first phase, plans are already underway to support further planting in 2025 and 2026.