A SMALL grassy area was dug up and planted with 600 trees to form a Wee Forest just off Govan Road.

Volunteers from the public, employees of Bloomberg and the Glasgow Science Centre were joined by children from four local primary schools to help out with the planting of the young trees on Thursday.

Coordinated by Earthwatch Europe, the Tiny Forests programme involves the organised planting of trees across the UK, mostly by volunteers.

Their aim is to combat the loss of biodiversity in urban areas and engage local communities while teaching them about sustainability and the environment.

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Vanessa Wilde, Tiny Forests Project Manager said: "We plant these forests in urban areas where there is a lack of access to nature for people who live locally.

"With standard tree planting, the trees are two meters apart, so this really dense forest emulates how it would be in nature.

"This gives more shelter for birds, butterflies and natural regeneration."

This Wee Forest, along with the others planted in Glasgow, is a 'living legacy' for COP26 and will be part of the City Council's Walking Map for delegates and guests during the UN climate talks.

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These 'pockets of nature' were created with intense soil preparation, a careful choice of 15 native species and the dense plantation of trees. 

This technique ensures that the forest will grow up to be the habitat of local wildlife, a shield from rising temperatures and a tool to stop flooding.

Ms Wilde added: "Every forest that we plant in the UK, we are monitoring."

"By looking at every forest across the UK then compare that to international data, we will be able to measure benefits they are bringing."