More trees planned for Glasgow neighbourhoods with the least greenery

Councillor Angus Millar as efforts continue to plants trees in Glasgow. Image: Glasgow City Council.
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Neighbourhoods with the fewest trees in Glasgow are getting more planted to boost leafiness.

Bridgeton, Dalmarnock, Govan, Possilpark and Levern and District are among areas lacking trees in the city.

So far Elder Park in Govan has been the focus of more tree planting and Glasgow Women's Library in Bridgeton has received support to carry out planting.

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Possilpark's Fruin Street green space is also being considered for tree planting next year.

Council wards with the lowest number of trees are Govan and Anderston, City and Yorkhill with less than 10 per cent of the neighbourhoods having a leafy canopy. Possilpark has 13 per cent tree cover.

Meanwhile the Linn ward is the highest in the city boasting 31 per cent tree cover with Newlands and Auldburn coming in second at 29 per cent for leafiness.

Councillors were given an update on the council's tree plan yesterday and one of its goals is to increase the amount of green canopy to 17.1 per cent - up from 16.1 per cent in 2020.

A major project to boost coverage will take place at an empty 14 hectare site at Cadder where a wood is to be created using Vacant and Derelict Land (VDL) funding. The council said the vacant site at Hapland Road and Cathkin Quarry will "increase wildlife habitat, create recreational and outdoor learning spaces and boost the city's green canopy".

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A nursery to harvest saplings in the north east of the city is also to be set up thanks to VDL funding.

Councillors were presented with details of the council's tree plan at the net zero and climate progress monitoring city policy committee yesterday.

The meeting heard 24,288 trees were planted in 2023 to 2024 at locations including Cathkin braes, Croftfoot Road, Everard Drive, Greenfield Park, Househill Park, King George V Park, Tollcross Park and Trinley Braes.

This planting was carried out with the help of volunteers, schools, city businesses and partners including The Conservation Trust, Green Action Trust and Clyde Climate Forest.

In a statement, councillor Angus Millar, city convener for climate, congratulated council staff and volunteers on the planting of over 24,000 trees in a year.

He said: "Work to increase the tree canopy and combat Climate Change has been progressing at pace across the city in the past year with the help of an array of partners and enthusiastic volunteers.

"Breathing new life into vacant and derelict land through tree planting will enhance and enrich communities by creating cherished green spaces which could survive for hundreds of years."

The committee agreed to refer approval for funding for the woodland plan at Cadder, Hapland Road and Cathkin Quarry to the City Administration Committee.

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