Scottish Forestry

35 years. It far exceeded this target last year, planting in the region of 20,000 trees.

Malcolm Morrison, Director of GMG Energy, said: “It has been our policy up until now to buy our raw materials on the open market, from established local suppliers, but this deal will ensure continuity of supply in an increasingly volatile environment.

“Quintfall is just over 20 miles from our base of operation at Bighouse Farm, so it will not add to the road miles burden and the acquisition will chime with our wish to invest locally and provide a reliable resource for other local companies.

“The purchase will not affect our ongoing planting programme, as replenishment is the key to sustainability, and we will continue to try to reduce our impact on the environment by not wasting any of the product with which we work.”

At the same time as the Quintfall purchase, GMG Energy has invested £150,000 in state-of-the-art sawmill equipment which takes its larger timber and processes it into posts, rail, cladding and purlins, or structural roof members.

It also plans a spend of in the region of £100,000 on timber treatment equipment which will open up new markets among construction companies and farm businesses which require treated and stress-tested products.

Carbon-aware GMG Energy is also investigating the possibility creating heat and steam from wood waste to turn a turbine in order to self-generate the electricity it uses and to further minimise its environmental impact.

GMG Energy is sited at Bighouse, where Mr Morrison’s Sutherland-born mother still lives in the farmhouse. The company increased turnover in the year to August 2021 to just over £2 million, up from £1.7 million the previous year.

Integrating trees network: a growing success

Farmers and crofters across Scotland have been sharing their experiences, warts and all, about growing trees as part of their businesses.

The Integrating Trees Network is a farmer and crofter-led initiative supported by Scottish Forestry and the Scottish Government. Its aim is to build up a strong network of farm woodland demonstration sites across Scotland, with the hosts showcasing how growing trees have boosted their business.

Sharing experiences and hearing from those who are actually doing it is all part of the ever growing Integrating Trees Network. The initiative has now run 13 virtual events and one on farm event with more on farm events in the coming months.

Farming Networks

Our fantastic farming hosts have shared their experiences and have produced a number of key practical messages for others who are thinking about growing trees. These are: but could still be suitable for planting trees;

• Ask whether having trees on the farm will help diversify the nature of the business to become more adaptable, and in the future will it provide much needed shelter

• Make sure you consider whether planting trees will complement your existing farm enterprises; and

• Get going now, I wish I had done what I’m doing now 10 years ago.

More details about our great host farmers can be found on the Integrating Trees Network website along with a wide range of resources.

On farm events coming up

Walking and Talking trees with Andrew Whiteford of Burnfoot Farm, Nr Sanquhar. Wednesday 20th July, 10am – 1pm

Walking and Talking trees with Andrew Adamson of Netherurd Home Farm, Blyth Bridge, near West Linton, Peeblesshire. Wednesday 27th July, 10am – 1pm

More info and booking details on the Integrating Trees Network website and Eventbrite

• Understand your reasons for wanting to plant trees on your land and your business priorities;

• Do your research: evaluate your land and monitor your farm to find out what areas are under www.farmingscotlandmagazine.comperforming for livestock

forestry Wee Foresters plant thousands of trees across Scotland

School children and local communities have planted more than 16,000 native trees as part of Scotland’s growing network of Wee Forests.

A total of 27 urban forests are now taking root in towns and cities across the country, including Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow, thanks to the hard work and support of pupils from over 50 schools and 1,000 volunteers in ten local authorities, supported by six local environmental organisations.

Most Wee Forests have been planted near primary schools in areas with a lack of naturerich greenspace. But planting is just the beginning, as the school children, or “Wee Foresters”, begin learning how to care for the trees and monitor the nature they attract.

Led by NatureScot, and supported by £500k of Scottish Government funding, Wee Forests give young people the opportunity to tackle nature loss and the climate emergency, as well as contributing to Scotland’s tree planting targets by planting and looking after their own forests in their own neighbourhoods.

Each forest contains around 600 native trees, and is capable of attracting up to 500 different animal and plant species with the first three years. Volunteer Tree Keeper Teams are protecting and monitoring the forests as they grow, while schools can use the nature-rich spaces for outdoor learning.

Supported by Earthwatch Europe, young people will also take part in science activities to raise awareness of climate change and the value of urban trees. This will include monitoring the butterflies that use the forests and measuring how much carbon is captured by the trees as they grow.

Environment Minister Mairi McAllan said:

“This fantastic network of Wee Forests is an important legacy of COP26 and is a great example of partnership working between the public, private and voluntary sector. Connecting people with nature, particularly in urban areas, brings so many benefits in terms of health and wellbeing. Creating more green spaces will enable people to enjoy spending time outdoors and care for the natural environment on their doorstep.

“As we approach COP15 on biodiversity, innovative projects like this will showcase to the rest of the world how Scotland is leading the way in our action to tackle the twin crises of climate change and nature loss.”

NatureScot Board Member Dr Heather Reid said:

“These Wee Forests are inspiring young people to protect, restore and value nature. As they grow up alongside their forests, they’ll not only benefit from learning about nature, but they’ll also spend more time in the outdoors, improving their physical and mental health.

“Recent research shows that when people get involved in science activities such as those available through Wee Forests, they develop and sustain positive attitudes towards the environment and we’re keen to encourage more of this.

“It’s fantastic to see so many of these urban forests taking root in our towns and cities, so a huge thanks to our partners and all the young people and local communities which helped make this happen. We’re now working with partners to find ways to bring even more Wee Forests to more people across the country.”

Earthwatch Europe CEO Steve Andrews said:

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with NatureScot to expand the Wee Forest movement across Scotland. Getting communities involved in planting and ongoing citizen science at their local Wee Forest is an exciting opportunity to connect people with nature, whilst providing vital data on forest growth and environmental benefits.”