The first Wee Forest has been planted in Aberdeen thanks to the joint efforts of Aberdeen City Council’s environment services team, NatureScot, and pupils and staff of Woodside School.
A Wee Forest is a tennis court-sized, densely planted, and fast growing, native woodland in urban Scotland which combines the specific Tiny Forest planting method with long-term citizen science.
The 600 plants, which include alder, cherry, Scots pine, crab apple, holly, juniper, elder, willow, oak, rowan, and hazel trees along with dog roses, broom, gorse, blaeberry, heather, hawthorn, and blackthorn, have been planted by staff and pupils in a grassy area across Clifton Road from the school with help from the City Council’s Countryside Rangers.
The Lord Provost of Aberdeen Barney Crockett said: “This is a fantastic project and it is thanks to the efforts of everyone involved that generations to come will enjoy the benefits of these native trees which have been planted in this green space.
“Pupils contributed many fantastic designs for the project and the overall winner demonstrated excellent design principals which will fit the Wee Forest ideals.
“The trees, shrubs, and wildflowers will start small but will grow into a beautiful place for nature and people in the Woodside area.”
NatureScot Tayside and Grampian Operations Manager Sue Lawrence said: “Wee Forests are not only a great way to help people connect with nature closer to home, they also can inspire the next generation to care for it. We’re delighted to see the school children and the local community coming together to plant the Woodside Wee Forest and we hope that over the years it will be the source of much enjoyment, learning and inspiration. As well as the many benefits for people, projects like this are also giving communities an important opportunity to help restore nature and tackle climate change by contributing to Scotland’s tree planting targets.”
The Woodside Wee Forest will complement a nearby outdoor classroom presenting many opportunities for school and community engagement. Young people can help to tackle the ecological and climate emergency by planting and looking after their own forest in their own neighbourhood.
The Woodside Wee Forest will provide places to play in a natural setting and opportunities to enjoy nature, with benefits for mental and physical health. As well as local schools and communities being involved in design and planting, the Wee Forest will have a “Tree Keeper Team” of local volunteers to look after it and measure its benefits for nature and people.
The Woodside Wee Forest will join a group of 20 such forests across Scotland which are being planted.