Aberdeen and the Dee to benefit from more trees

"Rivers flowing through wooded catchments are cleaner, slower, better for wildlife and cause less flooding downstream during periods of heavy rain and run-off"

Popular green spaces in Aberdeen are set to become even greener with the planting of almost 5,000 trees, in an initiative co-ordinated and delivered by the River Dee Trust and the James Hutton Institute-supported Dee Catchment Partnership.

Following previous tree planting at Inverdee as part of Aberdeen City Council’s ‘Tree for Every Citizen’ scheme, the riverside spot is now home to thousands of new trees, thanks to the efforts of volunteers who planted oak, birch, wild cherry, holly, Scot’s pine and European larch trees.

“There were many benefits to planting at this site for a number of parties,” explains Marina Piper, Outreach Officer for the Dee Catchment Partnership. “Aberdeen City Council wanted to create a sustainable timber fuel resource, provide carbon storage, and reduce air and noise pollution, while Sport Aberdeen was keen to reduce the long term maintenance cost of grass cutting.

"The River Dee Trust and Catchment Partnership have been heavily involved in activities to rid the Dee of invasive, non-native plant species for several years, and the subsequent tree planting is an important way to restore the native habitat and protect the river banks.

“Rivers flowing through wooded catchments are cleaner, slower, better for wildlife and cause less flooding downstream during periods of heavy rain and run-off. They also improve air quality by filtering out harmful pollutants, provide oxygen, and help absorb traffic noise in built up areas."

Councillor John Wheeler, Convenor for Operational Delivery with Aberdeen City Council, commented: “We are very keen to preserve existing trees where possible and plant new trees all over Aberdeen as there are many benefits to these beautiful woodlands.

"These include social and health advantages for our residents and benefits to wildlife - our woodlands are one of the most accessible places to see our native plants, animals and birds."

The Dee Catchment Partnership was formed in 2003 with the aim of protecting and restoring the River Dee catchment’s water environment through the implementation of a Catchment Management Plan. Over 20 local bodies involved with the waters of the Dee work together in the Partnership, aligning their activities and pooling resources on projects from the mountains to the harbour.

The work of the Partnership includes reducing pollution, improving river habitats, tackling invasive species, improving management of woodland, wetland and heather moorland, and providing advice and information to landowners, communities and visitors. The benefits include better supplies of cleaner, fresher water, an enhanced landscape, flora and fauna, increased resilience against extreme events such as flooding and drought, the protection and enhancement of fish stocks, the capture and storage of greenhouse gases and the provision of increased tourism and recreation opportunities.

Besides the James Hutton Institute, funders of the Dee Catchment Partnership include Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City Councils, Aberdeen Harbour Board, Cairngorms National Park Authority, Dee District Salmon Fishery Board, Forestry Commission Scotland, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Scottish Natural Heritage.