Tree planting grants available

COMMUNITIES across the region are being encouraged to apply for tree planting grants this planting season.

The Dumfries and Galloway Tree Planting Grant Scheme (DGTPGS) offers grants of up to £1,000 towards native trees and protection to get them established, and operates across the entirety of the region.

In the 2024/25 planting season, the scheme supported 73 schemes across the region, planting more than 9,000 trees, with the most planted species last year was Hazel, with Birch and Oak also widely planted.

Recipients vary from farmers and landowners through to schools and community groups. This season’s grant offers a similar level of support, allowing native planting schemes to get underway.

Phil Dowling from Dumfries and Galloway Woodlands leads on scheme delivery said: “Its time to start thinking of the next tree planting season!

“Trees are a major part of the Dumfries and Galloway landscape, but many of our native trees are old and increasingly susceptible to disease and storm damage; we need to be planting more young trees to safeguard healthy ecosystems for the enjoyment and benefit of both people and biodiversity.

“We’ve now seen so many unassuming sites transformed through innovative and exciting tree planting projects supported by the Dumfries and Galloway Tree Planting Grant Scheme; I’d urge anyone with a small bit of land, be it a farm, school playing-field or community site, to apply.”

For more information about the tree planting scheme visit: https://dgwoodlands.org.uk/dumfries-and-galloway-tree-planting-grant-scheme.