Calls were made for the council to erect living Christmas trees in Pollokshields.

This comes after being told that festive decorations in the area would cost more than £8000.

Mary Williamson, member of Craigton Community Council, made the suggestion as the Pollokshields Area Partnership was presented with costs for trees. 

Members were told a 15 to 18-foot tree ‘off road’ would cost £3,600 while an ‘on road’  fir of the same height amounts to £5,000. The quotes don’t include the price of the lights. 

The cost of repeating last year’s festive lighting in the Pollokshields area would amount to £8,400 in total according to a council paper presented to the partnership. The area partnership would have to pay £4,800 towards that total as the council awards central funding of £3,600 towards Christmas lighting. 

Speaking at the area partnership meeting yesterday, Ms Williamson said: “Why are we using cut trees? Why are we not planting? What is stopping the council from putting a living tree in a big tub.”

The community representative pointed out that using the same living tree every year would be cheaper.

Scottish Greens Councillor Jon Molyneux agreed it is a “good point.”

A council officer is to look into alternatives for the area – but pointed out it would still cost £3,600 to put lights on. 

Part of last year’s display saw a Christmas tree erected at Shawlands Cross and street lighting column features decorating Kildrostan Street according to the council report.