In total, Scotland created 8,470 hectares of new forest or woodland, representing 54% of all UK new woodland creation.
New native woodlands received a significant boost, with 5,300 hectares being created - surpassing the Scottish Government’s commitment of 4,000 hectares set out in the Programme for Government (PfG).
Despite leading the UK in woodland creation, Scotland fell short of its broader targets: 10,000 hectares under the PfG and 18,000 hectares under the Climate Change Plan for 2024/25.
This shortfall is being attributed to budget reductions in the previous year, which limited the number of projects that could be supported.
Furthermore, around 30% of projects approved by Scottish Forestry—amounting to 2,800 hectares—did not proceed or were planted to compensate for woodlands removed for electricity infrastructure projects, which means they cannot count towards overall planting levels.
Noticeable amongst the drop off of activity has been a reduction in the number of small-scale woodlands being planted by farmers or crofters, many of whom were affected by inflationary pressures that either delayed or halted progress.
To help address inflation, Scottish Forestry will now allocate an additional £1 million in grant funding for smaller woodlands, aiming to encourage farmers and crofters to carry on with growing trees.
Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said:
“Whilst the overall new woodland creation figures are disappointing, they are not unexpected. Extremely tight public spending and reductions in budgets a year ago have had a knock-on effect and we are seeing this in the latest statistics.
“Despite the challenges facing woodland creation, early signs for future planting are encouraging. Scottish Forestry is currently working on a pipeline of around 28,000 hectares of new woodland, with 12,000 hectares already approved and of which 7,000 hectares for planting this year.
“The strong performance on native woodland creation is very welcome. However, we need to recognise the importance of productive forestry too and I would want to see an increase to ensure future timber supplies.
“Woodland creation is very much a collaborative effort. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed, ranging from Scottish Forestry staff, to forestry companies and agents, tree nurseries, woodland owners large and small, and communities who have engaged in projects.”
To support increased forest and woodland cover across the board, the Scottish Government boosted the woodland creation budget by 20% for the current year. The additional £1 million for farmers and crofters will support small-scale schemes under 20 hectares, with an enhanced grant rate of £750 per hectare of new woodland. Details of this grant enhancement will be made available shortly.
The Scottish Government is also pushing the UK Government for a multi-annual funding settlement from the UK Government. This would give the forestry sector added confidence with planning for future investment in woodland projects. Brendan Callaghan, Director of Operational Delivery at Scottish Forestry, added:
“We are working hard to support the forestry sector and are actively listening to what’s needed on the ground.
“While it’s important to note the current year’s results, we shouldn’t lose sight of what’s been achieved over the years—and that forestry is a long-term game. “In the past five years, Scotland has delivered 52,900 hectares of new woodland —that’s around four and half times the size of Edinburgh which is pretty impressive.”
Across other parts of the UK, England created 5,770 hectares of new woodland, Wales 960 hectares and Northern Ireland 500 hectares.
