Scottish Woodlands plays big part in record tree planting year
Scottish Woodlands was involved in 20% of all new woodland creation in a record-breaking year for tree planting in Scotland.
Figures released yesterday showed that 15,040 hectares of new woodland was created in 2023-24 - a huge leap on the 8,190 hectares planted in 2022-23, and a modern-day record.
Scottish Woodlands was responsible for over 3000 hectares of the total - the highest level of woodland creation the company has ever delivered.
Ian Robinson, Managing Director of Scottish Woodlands, said: "This level of planting represents a phenomenal effort by our brilliant team, and the wider industry."
"After a tricky year for the industry in Scotland, this is a brilliant base to build on."
After the disappointing figures for 2022-23, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Mairi Gougeon MSP, convened a forestry summit in December 2023.
Unfortunately, any positivity from the summit was lost just days later when the Scottish Government announced a cut of more than 40% to the woodland creation budget for 2024-25. This would only have allowed 9000 hectares to be planted in the year - against an approved target of 18,000 hectares.
However, the public and private sector pulled together and with an extension to the planting window from March 31st to mid-May, many schemes planned for 2024-25 were brought forward.
Mr Robinson added: "This year has seen a huge push from Scottish Forestry and the private sector along with contractors and planting squads to achieve these figures."
"The trick is in repeating this kind of positive outcome. Confidence in the application process is still low in places, and the funding cuts are significant. We need to see the Scottish Government recognise the strong demand to plant and put new resources in to keep woodland creation moving in the right direction.
"Doing so will deliver real benefits for Scotland's rural economies and its environment."