Citizens of Scotland’s largest city can now use a new digital portal to suggest local sites for woodland and wildflowers, as well as buying commemorative trees and volunteering their time

Glasgow City Council has launched an online platform allowing local citizens to track the authority’s work to make the city more verdant and make requests for trees and flowers to be planted in their neighbourhood.

The Tree Plan Portal tool will allow members of the public to recommend sites where the council could support reforestation by planting new trees and wildflowers. Since 2018, around 70,000 trees have been planted after a report found that Glasgow had the smallest of green space among the most populated cities in the country.

The council plans to plant 18 million trees by 2030, and hopes that the additional vegetation will help provide new habitats for wildlife, while helping to reduce pollution and tackling global warming. Planting work is currently focused on four areas of the city Bridgeton and Dalmarnock; Govan; Levern and District; and Possilpark.

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As well as suggesting new areas for planting the online service will enable Glaswegians to buy commemorative trees that can be planted in memory of a loved one, or to mark a special occasion, such as a wedding anniversary.

Individuals or organisations that wish to volunteer their time to help with the planting schedule can also do so via the portal.

“Planting more trees in Glasgow will help reduce air pollution, flooding and soil erosion, as well as providing habitat for a huge range of wildlife, increasing much needed shade as temperatures rise and helping to tackle global warming”, Glasgow convener for climate, Angus Millar said. “We are planting trees which will create small urban oases across the city and benefit city residents for years to come and help create a greener, more pleasant Glasgow. As we work to expand our tree planting activity across the city, we are always looking for new locations. I’d encourage everyone to have a look at the new portal and maybe suggest a grass verge, greenspace or park which you think is an ideal location for new tree planting or nectar-rich wildflowers.”