A special initiative to promote the importance, beauty and life of the Scots pine, the keystone tree species in the Caledonian Forest.
I Love Pine
Trees for Life ran a special feature to promote the Scots pine, the only tree named after our country, focussed around Valentine's Day in 2007. For each day between 1st and 14th February, we had a new page full of information about Scots pines, with quotes from well-known people about what pines mean for them, and details of some of the species that depend on the tree for their survival.
We also ran a daily competition, in which we invited people to tell us why you love pines, with prizes for the best quotes each day, and we established a special Pine Image Gallery, full of evocative and beautiful photographs of Scots pines.
Do you Love Pine?
Although Valentine's day is past, you can still get involved - either by visiting some of the pinewood remnants, by having a specially-dedicated pine planted in the forest for a loved one (an ideal present, not just for Valentine's Day!) or by joining one of our volunteer Work Weeks to plant some trees in Caledonian Forest.
So please join us in making this an ongoing celebration of why we love the Scots pine!
If you make a donation or dedicate a tree, we'll be delighted to send
you a free I Love Pine sticker (6 x 12 cm. in size, see image).
Celebrities on why they love pine
A forest cathedral, a home to a precious assemblage of wildlife, trunks and branches that glow like honey in the evening sun; the last of an old
generation and the parent of a new...
Muriel Gray, Sir John Lister Kaye, Vanessa Collingridge, Kenny Taylor, Jim Crumley,
Cameron McNeish, Carole Baxter, John Muir, Laurie Campbell, Louise Batchelor, Hamish McRae, Peter Cairns,
Bill Ritchie and Alan Watson Featherstone speak out about why they love Scots Pine.
Why the forest loves pine
It's a home to red squirrels, capercaillie, crossbills and crested tits. It's a perch for an osprey, shelter for a deer, and shade for twinflower, one-flowered wintergreen, and juicy blaeberries. Scots pine is a keystone species in the Caledonian Forest ecosystem.
More about why the forest loves pine
Did you know...?
Did you know... that a Scots pine can live to be over 700 years old? That the richly-textured bark of a pine is a fantastic habitat for lichens, mosses and insects? That a tiny windblown seed, which has developed inside a cone for two years, can grow into a tree weighing millions of times as much? More fascinating facts about Scots pine.
Why do you love pine?
First prize winner
Whilst a single scots pine silhouetted against the sky, is a glorious and uplifting sight. Walking in a forest of pine is a treat for all the senses. The soft needle carpet under foot, the unmistakable aroma, the lichen covered bark. With its subdued sound quality, it is like entering another world, a gentle, timeless world, evoking memories of a steadier pace of life, a life more in tune with nature. Inspiring, calming, vital and yet restful, one emerges reluctantly but restored.
Albert Peace, UK
Every day until the 14th of February we picked the best daily quote and sent the winner one of these gorgeous Pine Prints. Each day the runners up received one of our Pine Posters.
On the 15th February we picked an overall winner, Albert Peace, who received the grand prize of a beautiful wood sculpture. Made from the natural burl of an elm tree, this sculpture depicts a couple at the base of two trees, whose branches are intertwined a fitting theme for Valentine's Day!
And more - how you can get involved!
Visit: How to reach the main pinewood remnants.
Plant: You can dedicate a pine to a friend or loved one,
especially planted by us in the Scottish Highlands. This makes a thoughtful present with a difference for Valentine's Day, and all the pines dedicated in this way will form part of our
100,000 Trees in 2007 initiative.
| More information |
Join In: You can become a member of Trees for Life,
or join one of our Volunteer Work Weeks and plant some pines and other native trees in the forest yourself.
Donate: Make a donation to support our work with pines.
If you make a donation of £20 or more,
we'll send you some Scots pine seeds and sowing instructions, so that you can grow your own Scots pine for your own garden or neighbourhood area.
Please click here to make a donation to the I Love Pine Appeal via our secure server.
We can also take your donation by phone: tel. 0845 458 3505. Thank you.
If you make a donation, dedicate a tree or send us a quote, we'll be delighted to send you a free I Love Pine sticker (6 x 12 cm. in size, see image).
Press Releases
I Love Pine campaign launched for Valentine's Day added to Press Releases (1 February)
Perfect alternative, ethical gift for Valentine's Day added to Press Releases (7 February)
Valentines Campaign Puts 100,000 Trees Plan For Scottish Forest On Track added to Press Releases (25 February 2007)
Press Coverage
Don't pine, love a tree on Valentine's Day on thisisnorthscotland.co.uk
Perfect alternative, ethical gift for Valentine's Day on UKPRwire.com
Saying 'I love you' with a heart full of affection and carbon offset on thescotsman.scotsman.com
The Perfect alternative gift for Valentine's Day on the United Nations Environment Programme's Billion Tree Campaign Site
Go Green for Love in environment.guardian.co.uk
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