Did You Know That Edinburgh Has More Trees Than People?
According to a 2017 report, 17% of the city is covered in trees, with 53% being native to Scotland. The top 10 tree species make up 65% of all trees, with sycamore (12.1%) being the most common. Want to explore? Check out the Edinburgh Tree Map!
Trees are Important, You Probably Already Know This!
Big trees soak up 20-25 kg of CO₂ yearly. In a lifetime, a single tree gulps down a whole tonne of CO₂!
Economic Benefits
Trees can reduce air conditioning needs resulting in energy savings.
Flood Management
Trees act as natural sponges, helping manage water runoff and reduce flooding by up to 20% in the UK.
Enhanced Mental Well-being
Studies prove being around trees enhance mental health. Amid the pandemic, 45% of UK folks found solace in parks and nature.
Biodiversity Support
Insects, birds, and critters all call trees their home.
Cool Cities
Urban heat got you sweating? But fear not, healthy tree canopies slash temps up to 4°C around them, like 10 ACs working non-stop.
Cleaner Air
Big trees soak up 20-25 kg of CO₂ yearly. In a lifetime, a single tree gulps down a whole tonne of CO₂!
Tree Care Timeline
So you have planted your trees, now what? Give them some 'tree'mendous love and care!
Years 1 - 3
The Early Stages
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Mark their spot to avoid damage during maintenance.
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Weed, don't mow. Create a weed-free zone with mulch.
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Check annually for guard and mulch security.
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Water sparingly in dry spells.
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Keep an eye out for pests
Years 3 -10
Mid-life Point
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Remove guards after 5-10 years.
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Monitor for common diseases.
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Prune in winter or summer for growth and health.
Years 10+
Long Term Care
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Thinning time (around year 10 or 7m tall).
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Identify the best-growing trees and remove the surrounding competition.
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Seek pro advice for long-term care and safety.
How You Can Get Involved
Here is a list of tree planting activities available for you to sign up for. Read on and use the tags to find activities that align with your preferences and requirements.
The Project
Last year in 2022, our hub participated in the Climate Reality Project Incubator where we developed a project aligned with Scotland's net-zero goal. Our focus turned to the city's million-tree vision as we realized a lack of centralized guidance for young people to engage in tree planting initiatives. Recognizing this need, we set out to create the Treemendous Edinburgh Guide- a comprehensive resource aiming to engage and inform young people about Edinburgh's green mission and encouraging their active participation in achieving the million-tree goal. On the 25th of February, 2024, our team hosted a tree plantation event with Lauriston Farm. Together with more than 20 young people from the city, we planted 37 trees and learned more about the planting process, the role of soil and the right tools.
With this project, we want to continue our hub goals of:
Empowering Youth
We believe in a world where young people are central to solution building, policy-making and lasting change.
Contributing to sustainability
Reduce emissions, fight drought, respond to natural distastes, preserve biodiversity, converse nature, promote sustainable consumption, and more.
Local collaborations
We seek to address global challenges through solutions at the grassroots, bringing together local organizations and like-minded enterprises.