Hug a tree at the Botanics on 1st December at 12 noon and help break a world record.

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is putting out the call for people to help break the world record for tree hugging. The Garden is joining forces with ten other sites that are part of the National Tree Collections of Scotland to make the record bid at 12 noon on Sunday 1st December, marking the culmination of National Tree Week.

The current world record of 950 tree huggers, set in the USA earlier this year, is still pending approval by Guinness World Records. The gardens taking part in the bid are aiming to involve more than 1,000 people in order to snatch the record.

Tom Christian, project officer for Scotland’s Tree Trail commented:

“Scotland’s Tree Trail is a collection of diverse sites which demonstrate Scotland’s unique standing and global importance in forestry, arboriculture and tree conservation. This record attempt is a perfect opportunity to celebrate the Year of Natural Scotland, mark National Tree Week and to have a bit of fun in the process.”

To be counted as part of the bid people will need to sign up for the tree hug on Sunday morning. Sheets will be available at both of the Garden’s entrances and staff will be on hand to explain how people can get involved. At 12 noon a horn will mark the start of the minute long tree hug and a second horn will be sounded to let people know they can release their embrace.

Any tree can be included as long as hugging it does not involve trampling over flower beds. Whether you want a group hug of one of the Garden’s giants or a solo hug in a quiet corner come and get involved in celebrating trees on Sunday.