A new green initiative has launched in Lanarkshire with the installation of 70 new trees in urban areas.
Members of community group Uddingston Pride teamed together after recognising a lack of planting in some of the towns busier areas, particularly along main roads.
The project was led by retired chartered landscape architect Terry Taylor who now leads the local group's 'tree team'.
Terry has used his expertise from his time working at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew to help his local area, where he raised concerns of a lack of trees in Uddingston six years ago.
The team was subsequently allocated a budget to purchase tree saplings for growing on, and trees were also acquired from the Woodland Trust for smaller group plantations.
Around 300 trees have since been planted over the years, and towards the end of 2021, the Uddingston Pride tree team used a Google map to determine potential tree locations.
And that proved to be a useful tool for the project, where 70 new trees were planted last month.
The area concentrated on for initial planting was along the Old Glasgow Road and around the Generals Gate development and these areas had previously been checked as South Lanarkshire Council (SLC) owned land.
With the supervision of SLC grounds staff, clear grassy areas, free of conflicting services and maintenance issues were checked and agreed as suitable sites for planting.
Terry recommended suitable tree species for each location, dependent on size, appearance and vigour. Species include maple, beech, lime, poplar, oak, birch and aspen.
A team led by James Meechan from SLC planted the 70 trees and additional trees were planted by the tree team around Greyfriars Pond off Blantyre Farm Road.
Terry told Lanarkshire Live : "I am delighted with the progress made in implementing Phase 1 of our tree planting programme.
"I would like to thank the local community and SLC for their ongoing support."
Uddingston Pride have been out improving their community in many ways recently.
Only a couple of weeks ago volunteers were out in force during a clean up mission to remove masses of graffiti sprayed in the town.
And with the recent success of the group's tree planting activity, Uddingston Pride hope this is just the beginning as they aim to plant more trees in both council and private land.
Locals have even approached the team offering seedling trees which has been welcomed.
Uddingston Pride also aim to tackle local littering issues and are welcoming more volunteers to get involved.
You can find out more on the group's Facebook page here.
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