Thursday June 11th 2026
Ben Townsend from the Tweed Forum planting trees (Image: Phil Wilkinson)
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
An environmental charity is planting the seeds of a better future for the River Tweed, new statistics prove.
Tweed Forum’s latest tree-planting season has seen its workforce plant 104,579 native trees across the Scottish Borders and north Northumberland in the past 12 months.
The organisation is working to implement nature-based river restoration solutions right across the River Tweed’s 5,000 km2 catchment to improve the health of the river, increase biodiversity and make the landscape more resilient to the effects of climate change.
Work is carried out around the main stem of the River Tweed as well as on tributaries such as the Teviot, Whiteadder and Gala and Leader Waters, the River Till and on many smaller watercourses.
Native trees planted include alder, aspen, birch, oak, cherry, rowan, willow, hawthorn and hazel and the aim is to plant the right species at the right scale and in the right locations to make a significant difference.
Ben Townsend, Tweed Forum’s senior project officer, said; “Many people think about trees in terms of capturing carbon and making the landscape more attractive and while these are important factors, catchment-scale tree planting brings significant additional benefits.
“These include reducing flooding, increasing biodiversity and providing habitat for wildlife and shelter for livestock. Tree roots also help to prevent soil erosion and improve water quality while their leaves provide shade to cool the water and help fish like salmon to survive and thrive.
“It’s a vital part of our work and one which relies on a partnership of farmers, landowners, communities and many different funders.”
In total, Tweed Forum has planted over 1.6 million trees in the last three decades, but this is just one element of the charity’s river restoration work.
In the last 30 years, the organisation has also enhanced over 300 miles of river, improved 5,754 hectares of peatland and created or upgraded over 1200 miles of paths.
Over 300 ponds and wetlands and 445 hectares of floodplain have been created or restored and 282 engineered log jam structures installed, all of which aid natural flood management, enhance water quality and increase climate resilience.
Mr Townsend added: “The Tweed is one of the world’s great river systems and renowned for its salmon fishing, landscapes and cultural heritage.
“Planting trees and delivering nature-based improvements on this scale will help to deliver lasting restoration that can protect the river’s future for generations to come.”
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