Almost 100 tree saplings planted in Househill Park in Glasgow die after residents use space as dog run

Nearly 100 tree saplings planted in a Glasgow park have died after residents used the space for a dog run.

The young trees were planted by Glasgow City Council in Househill Park in the Greater Pollok area near Silverburn but now have to be put in again as only three survived.

Local councillor William Graham said people were actually complaining about the so-called “dog run” not being maintained and he had to explain it wasn’t actually a dedicated area for pets at all.

He highlighted the loss of the trees at a council meeting, which he described as a “waste of money.”

Speaking at last week’s operational performance and delivery scrutiny committee, he said: “We have had a tree planting exercise in the park where it was fenced off and gated.

“We were told by the council they couldn’t lock the gate in the first place.”

He added: “But the fenced off area was actually getting used as a dog run more than protecting the saplings. What we had was over 100 saplings were planted and only three survived as it was getting used as a dog run.”

Tree saplings can be very delicate and susceptible to damage and the weather as their roots developing and vulnerable.

Councillor Graham told the meeting how he had spoken to the council’s parks department and they agreed that “where the saplings are being grown in overgrown areas that it will be left open as people will not walk their dogs in that.”

Explaining the latest situation with the park off Barrhead Road, he said: “The fence has been removed completely in preparation for new planting. It is just something to be considered throughout the city. It was a total waste of money with the fencing getting put up and planting.”

Councillor Graham added: “I had folk coming to me saying it is an absolute disgrace for the council to put a dog run in there and it isn’t being maintained. “But you actually have to tell them it isn’t a dog run in the first place.”

An official at the meeting confirmed she would take the feedback back to the relevant team within the council.

The council is on a mission to plant 18 million trees in the wider city region alongside neighbouring local authorities within a decade.

The tree planting issues were raised during a strategic plan update on the challenge to fight the climate emergency in a just transition to a net zero Glasgow.