Storm Arwen and Corrie destroyed thousands of trees throughout Scotland, now the National Trust needs the public’s help to bring them back.
The storms took place over November 2021 and January 2022 and left the equivalent of 20 Murrayfield stadiums worth of trees destroyed.
Hundreds of natural habitats across the north-east, Highlands and Argyll and Bute were wrecked as a result.
Businesses who rely on these habitats were affected, including treetop adventure course Go Ape Aberdeen who were forced to close permanently due to Storm Arwen damage.
Now, the National Trust is asking for a donation of at least £7.50 per sapling to help restore the habitats.
‘Reinstating natural wonders’
Chris Wardle, north-east gardens and designed landscape manager for the National Trust, stressed that some of the trees lost play a vital role in the environment.
He said: “Our Aberdeenshire properties were badly affected with Castle Fraser and Crathes Castle losing hundreds of trees, and the Pittendreigh woodland at Leith Hall completely devastated.
“Other National Trust for Scotland places like Inverewe and Arduaine Gardens lost ancient specimens and had their vital shelterbelts destroyed.
“The Tree Appeal is vital for us to begin reinstating these natural wonders for the benefit of wildlife, local communities and the environment.
“Take Craigievar in Aberdeenshire, for example. Here we’ll be planting over 37,000 Scots pines that will link smaller parcels of ancient woodland together.
“Not only will this store over 37,000 tonnes of carbon, but the new trees will create woodland corridors for species such as the red squirrel to spread into, creating new habitats for this endangered animal to thrive.
“In turn, the squirrels will also help spread native tree seeds across a larger area of land, encouraging natural woodland regeneration in the area.”
Over the coming years, the National Trust intend to plant at least 45,000 trees across Scotland with every donation helping them to plant another.
Donations to help plant a tree can be made on the National Trust’s website.
Conversation