Tree planting has been the theme of the Soroptimist International Centenary year, and Aberdeen members have been busy doing just that in various locations in the local area.
The club has had a tree planted in the Cruickshank Botanic Garden in Aberdeen. The garden is part of the University of Aberdeen and exists “to promote an appreciation of the beauty, diversity and importance of plants, and an understanding of their role in the natural world.” On Tuesday November 2nd we were treated to a most entertaining tour of the garden led by the curator, Mark Paterson. The tree is a Davidia involucrata or Handkerchief Tree or Dove Tree.
The following Saturday, in partnership with the River Dee Trust, we helped plant nearly 500 trees along the river near Banchory. The trees are part of the Trust’s target to plant a million trees within the next 15 years. The trees will provide shade against expected extreme temperatures, while creating a whole ecosystem that has been degraded over many centuries. They will help threatened salmon stocks and benefit all wildlife.
Thank you to Jamie, Debbie and Shona for making us feel so welcome, providing refreshments, guidance and sharing the lovely cosy fishing hut!
A centenary legacy tree was planted in the grounds of the former Soroptimist Housing Association development at Beechgrove Terrace in Aberdeen. The tree is Sorbus “Joseph Rock” a medium sized tree with fantastic yellow berries in the autumn along with amazing white flowers backed by green leaves which turn a deep red in autumn. The tree marks not only the centenary of Soroptimist International but also the transfer of the development to Osprey Housing Ltd.