Planting for the future
“Trees will store tonnes of carbon, directly and indirectly, within the woodland ecosystem throughout their lifetime, so it’s more crucial than ever that we undertake replanting on a huge scale. We must plant for the future, creating woodlands populated with resilient native species that will be able to adapt and thrive in the face of growing threats from disease, pathogens and rising global temperatures. Your support will help us achieve that.”
Chris Wardle | Garden and Designed Landscape Manager for the North East
Between 2021 and 2023, the brutal impacts of Storm Arwen, Storm Corrie, Storm Malik and Storm Otto brought down millions of trees all over Scotland. The North East was badly affected with many of the gardens and designed landscapes in the care of the National Trust for Scotland destroyed. The scale of this devastation was both horrific and heart-breaking and, as trees are our natural allies in combating climate change, the environmental impact was – and still is – significant.
At sites like Crathes Castle, Castle Fraser, Craigievar Castle, Drum Castle, Fyvie and Pitmedden, we’ve spent many months clearing up what was blown down to provide a fresh canvas for careful replanting and natural regeneration over the next ten years. Using climate change modelling, we’ll plant trees that will be most beneficial to creating resilient woodlands and, by dedicating a tree in the North East, you’ll be helping us to build those vital ‘cathedral forests’ of the future.
A yew tree in the Old Wood of Drum
Each woodland that we’re replanting in the North East has a different planting plan, tailored to the individual site and taking into account further climate scenarios.
This means that each location will feature only the trees most suitable for creating the resilient woodlands of the future.
Your donation will allow us to plant:
- Oak trees at Drum Castle
- Scots pines at Craigievar Castle
- Rowan trees at Crathes Castle
- Birch trees at Castle Fraser and Haddo House
At the National Trust for Scotland, we want to connect people, plants and places, and our woodlands have a key part to play in this.
Your support will enable us to progress our vital storm replanting work, creating, more ecologically diverse woodlands, resilient to storm damage and the potential threats from pest and disease, and addressing:
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Carbon capture to mitigate against climate change
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Habitat regeneration
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Reforestation
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Native species protection
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Increased biodiversity
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Resilience
In addition to your Dedicate a Tree certificate, you’ll receive a leaflet providing you with more information about the woodland you’re supporting and the trees we’re planting.
Every season, we’ll get in touch by email to update you on the impact of your support and we’ll share woodland videos, allowing you to follow the progress of your chosen woodland through the seasons.
When you’ve selected the woodland project you’d like to support, and confirmed your donation amount, we’ll invite you to leave a written dedication in the ‘virtual woodland’ on our website.
By doing so, you’ll not only be able to share your dedication with friends and family, you’ll also be joining a whole community of supporters who want to nurture and protect our wonderful woodlands.
Dedicate today to protect tomorrow
Woodlands and forests are often called ‘the lungs of the planet’. Through a process called woodland carbon sequestration, trees remove harmful carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and, by photosynthesis, release oxygen back while storing carbon within a natural reservoir of living biomass and soil. This makes trees our greatest allies in the battle against climate change and, by dedicating a tree, you’ll be helping us to restore and protect our vital woodlands for the benefit of everyone who loves Scotland now and in the future.