Climate Action Fife has had a busy 2024, rolling out their ‘A Fruit Tree for Every Garden’ in Fife campaign, with over 450 trees given to gardeners so far. The apple, pear, and plum trees all went to new homes in February and March where they have been putting on new growth, blossoming and even producing a few crops! A steady supply of free fruit will follow after a few years when the trees have become established. Gillian Fyfe, Lead for Climate Friendly Gardens with Climate Action Fife tells us more.
Scottish Heritage varieties were chosen, such as ‘Bloody Ploughman’ and ‘Cambusnethan Pippin’, all suited to Fife’s climate which is becoming warmer and wetter in winter and hotter and drier in summer. Consequently, some varieties traditionally grown in Fife will become less viable. Apple varieties that grow well in the Lothians, the Borders and further south in eastern England are of interest, as some of these are now suitable for Fife’s changing climate.
The selected trees were grown at the Appletreeman nursery in Perthshire and delivered to six community gardens across Fife where the bare-root saplings were heeled in. The trees were then handed out at 13 pick-up events.
Getting the right number of trees to the right places was a logistical challenge but CAF partners, CLEAR Buckhaven and Methil, EATS Rosyth, PLANT, FCCT, Grow West Fife, and Greener Kirkcaldy stepped up to the challenge and helped hand the trees out.
The response to the campaign has been overwhelmingly positive with delighted comments from those at the pick-up events:
“I’m really excited. We always had them growing up. I’m looking forward to making pies and crumbles.” (Katie).
“Last year I got my first garden and saw this project online. I’m excited to plant my first apple tree, really excited.” (Anna).
Over 1000 trees have been mapped on a dedicated fruit tree map of Fife along with many more trees that members of the public have added. You can view the map HERE and add your own trees if you have fruit trees in your garden.
The demand for trees far outstripped the supply this year which highlighted the popularity of the campaign. Set to run again in early 2025, it is hoped that another 400 trees will be available.
Over 150 of the trees will be ones grafted in Fife by individuals and partner organisations. Volunteers from Sustainable Cupar, Elmwood College, PLANT, Leuchars Community Orchard, and CLEAR Buckhaven and Methil grafted apple trees on semi-dwarfing M26 rootstocks in February. The young trees have been grown on in pots and will be ready to hand out early next year.
Learning how to graft trees has enabled grant funds to stretch further and more trees to be produced at a lower cost. Valuable skills have also been learnt through workshops on grafting.
Climate Action Fife has worked hard to provide support to new tree owners through detailed advice and information on the website, direct emails, and workshops.
All new tree owners were given a planting and care guide with their new tree, and protection was provided by giving out a stake, tree tie, and tree guard at the same time.
A video was filmed to show how to plant the tree for those who were not confident already. Seven workshops on winter and summer pruning, grafting, and tree care have also taken place during the year.
Generous funding helped support the campaign in 2024. We were grateful to be awarded grants by the National Lottery Community Fund - Climate Action Fund, Climate Action Fife and Fife Climate Hub Community Climate Grants, Fife Council Nature Restoration Fund, PLANT Tayport Community Garden, and the University of St. Andrews' Community Fund.
We continue to look for new sources of funding to support the campaign over the next three winters. Donations can be made through our online Community Tree Fund.
If you would like to get involved, keep an eye out for our Spring 2025 campaign towards the end of this year. Sign up to express an interest in the campaign on the Climate Action Fife website.