Branching Out: Glasgow’s Big Plans to Turn Wasteland into Woodland
In a recent update on Glasgow’s Tree Plan, Glasgow City Council has announced ambitious plans to turn unused land in Cadder into a “multi-functional” woodland. This site, located around Hapland Road and Cathkin Quarry, will reportedly bring together a variety of community benefits. The council envisions the project as a way to create recreational and educational spaces, improve local wildlife habitats, and increase Glasgow’s green canopy. Whether the project lives up to these promises, only time will tell.
The council’s claims are optimistic, to say the least. By transforming this vacant site into a woodland, they say they’ll be enhancing and enriching the area with green space – something that Glasgow has become increasingly keen to offer. The council suggests that this new patch of woodland could serve as a long-lasting community asset, though specifics on what exactly makes it “multi-functional” remain somewhat vague.
Perhaps the most tangible benefit touted is an increased habitat for local wildlife. It’s no secret that Glasgow’s urban sprawl hasn’t exactly prioritised the interests of foxes, squirrels, or migratory birds, so the council seems to be hoping that Cadder’s new trees will help support some of these animals. How effective a small urban woodland will be in reversing years of urbanisation and habitat loss remains to be seen. But it seems fair to say that a few new trees will be better for the birds and bees than a bare patch of wasteland.
Part of the plan also involves establishing a tree nursery in the North East of Glasgow. This nursery is expected to grow native tree saplings, destined to populate Glasgow’s streets, parks, and – one imagines – future “multi-functional” woodlands. For now, the council has secured funding from Vacant and Derelict Land schemes to kickstart the nursery project, with additional phases yet to be confirmed.
The council has also hinted that this nursery will provide job and training opportunities through a social enterprise model. The concept is admirable: using a tree nursery to create employment while greening the city sounds like a win-win. The question, however, is how sustainable this model will be in practice. Council-led job creation initiatives haven’t always delivered long-term employment in the past, and social enterprises have to be carefully managed to avoid becoming financial drains. Still, if handled well, this project could offer valuable skills and experience to locals, especially those struggling to find work.
In an encouraging development, Glasgow City Council has exceeded its tree planting targets for 2023/24, putting over 24,000 trees into the ground. The work was largely done with the help of volunteers, school groups, and partners including The Conservation Trust, Green Action Trust, and Clyde Climate Forest. Councillor Angus Millar, the City Convener for Climate, took the opportunity to commend everyone involved, praising the city’s collective efforts towards environmental improvement.
Millar emphasised that this planting effort has been a significant step in the council’s goal to expand the city’s tree canopy. He stressed that turning vacant, neglected areas into green spaces can provide real long-term benefits for the community, both environmentally and socially. The sentiment is sound, even if questions linger about the actual longevity and maintenance of these newly planted trees.
When it comes to street trees, the council is taking a more cautious approach. Rather than loading up every road verge with dense evergreens, they’re sticking to trees with smaller leaves like birch, rowan, and hornbeam. The official reason? Smaller leaves are less likely to clog drains, a practical consideration for a city that sees more than its fair share of rain. Meanwhile, evergreens, apparently less suited for the job due to wind vulnerability, will remain largely out of the mix.
This choice of species may not be the most exciting part of the Tree Plan, but it does show the council’s awareness of the practical challenges that come with urban tree planting. After all, no one wants more blocked drains – a small mercy, perhaps, for council maintenance teams and residents alike.
Interestingly, the council is encouraging public involvement in the planting process. Through their “Tree Portal” – an online platform where residents can suggest planting sites, volunteer for planting events, or even buy a commemorative tree – the council seems to be hoping to rally public support for its green ambitions. Plans are also in development to allow Glasgow’s residents to sponsor a tree in their neighbourhood, providing a way for locals to contribute directly to the city's green spaces.
The council’s intentions here are commendable, as public involvement can be a powerful tool for long-term sustainability. But whether residents will embrace the Tree Portal as enthusiastically as the council hopes remains to be seen. After all, asking people to pitch in or pay for trees may not resonate equally across all communities, especially in areas where other issues are more pressing.
While the Cadder woodland and city-wide planting initiatives sound promising on paper, questions remain about the long-term impact and management of these projects. Glasgow’s council has launched numerous well-intentioned green initiatives in the past, with mixed results. The focus on community engagement and job creation through social enterprises is encouraging, but the sustainability of these efforts will ultimately depend on consistent funding, maintenance, and a robust public response.
At a time when urban councils across the UK are scrambling to show green credentials, Glasgow’s latest plans signal a step in the right direction. But as with all ambitious projects, it will be essential for the council to deliver on its promises and keep the public engaged. After all, planting trees is just the beginning making sure they survive and truly benefit the community is the real challenge ahead.
