The Hebridean Tree Project

Laura McEwan is a self-confessed dendrophile: a tree lover. She can talk for hours about her favourite - the aspen - and other varieties including the alder, willow, hazel and downy birch which are being planted in a mosaic of small woodlands on underused crofts across the Outer Hebrides.

Nearly a quarter of a million trees have been planted so far in the Western Isles Croft Woodland Project. It is largely funded by the Point and Sandwick Trust which owns a community wind farm on the Isle of Lewis.

Kathleen Carragher visits a couple of participating crofts with Laura including a small planting project started by retired minister, Murdo Smith. Murdo's saplings are being grazed by deer, a common problem on Lewis. Laura has been advising him on the use of a spray deterrent made from sheep fat, which seems to be having some success in keeping them at bay.

Presented by Kathleen Carragher and produced by John Deering.