Wednesday July 16th 2025
Tweed Forum Conservation Manager Derek Robeson alongside Native Woodland Advisor at Borders Forest Trust, Hannah Cockett
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
A grants programme which saw almost 10,000 trees planted in the Borders last year is preparing for a repeat performance.
Tweed Forum and Borders Forest Trust are set to launch the 2025-26 Borders Tree Grant Scheme at this year’s Border Union Show on July 25.
The initiative, which was launched last year, aims to encourage the planting of native landscape trees across the Scottish Borders in the coming autumn/winter season.
Grants of up to £1,000 are available for farmers, landowners and non-profit organisations such as schools and charities to plant individual or small clumps of trees.
In the scheme’s first year, 59 separate applications saw the planting of 9,789 trees in hedgerows, small copses and orchards with trees also planted at field margins, on riverbanks and in parklands.
As they grow, the trees will enhance the landscape for local communities, provide shelter for livestock, increase wildlife habitat and biodiversity and capture carbon dioxide to help combat climate change.
Tree roots also slow flood waters and help to reduce soil erosion. If planted beside watercourses, the trees can help to stabilise riverbanks, reduce levels of sediment and pollutants entering the river system and provide much-needed shade for young salmon.
The Borders Tree Grant Scheme is funded by Scottish Forestry, Woodland Trust Scotland and Scottish Borders Council.
Derek Robeson, Tweed Forum conservation manager, said: “It was fantastic to see almost 10,000 trees planted in the first year of the Borders Tree Grant Scheme.
“We believe this illustrates a real desire from farmers and community groups across the region to enhance the Borders landscape, tackle climate change and enhance biodiversity for generations to come.
“We hope this year’s scheme will be just as successful and look forward to its official launch at the Border Union Show.”
Hannah Cockett, native woodland advisor at Borders Forest Trust, said; “We were delighted with the response to the scheme in its first year. This is a simple, accessible way for people to make a lasting, positive impact on their land and the wider environment, so we hope to encourage more applications for the 2025-26 tree-planting season.”
As part of the Borders Tree Grant Scheme, grants up to a maximum of £1,000 per applicant per annum are available. Further details are available by contacting Tweed Forum on 01896 849723 or Borders Forest Trust on 07399 275973, or by visiting Tweed Forum on Stand 8, Block 1 at this year’s Border Union Show in Kelso.
Tweet Share on Facebook
