Scottish Forestry is inviting crofters from across Scotland to a free forestry event to share experiences of tree planting in order to boost crofting businesses.

The Tea and Trees with Crofters event is being held online on Tuesday 6 December from 6pm-7pm.

The event is part of the Integrating Trees Network programme which is run by Scottish Forestry and the Scottish Government.

Advice on tree planting will be shared and experts from Scottish Forestry and the Croft Woodlands Projects will be on hand to answer any questions.

Lyn White, Scottish Forestry's forestry and farming development officer said: "The online events have been very popular with crofters as it provides a very informal opportunity to chat with others who have planted trees to benefit their business.


"The event is also a great way to simply make other connections with fellow crofters and learn directly from them.

"Scotland has ambitious woodland creation targets rising to 18,000 hectares of new woodland every year by 2024/5. The crofting community plays an important part in helping us reach these targets. We are therefore encouraging more crofters to reap the benefits of growing trees for their business, whilst also helping tackle climate change and nature loss."

Andrew Hall, of Burravoe Croft in Shetland will be attending the event and has a number of years' experience in growing trees to help diversify his successful business.

When Mr Hall and his wife first bought their croft it was run down and it took them years to renovate the house and outbuildings. In 2005 he received his first forestry grant which funded around 3,000 trees close to the crofthouse.

Since then, Mr Hall has planted more trees and bushes to transform his croft, all with grant support from Scottish Forestry.

Crofters and anyone else wishing to book a free place on the Tea and Trees for Crofters event can book through the Integrating Trees Network Eventbrite page.