How we deliver functions and services

• We act as the Government’s principle policy advisors on forestry to Scottish Ministers 
• provide research and evidence on the social, environmental and economic pillars of sustainable forest management/aspects of forestry 
• lead on tree health on behalf of Scottish Ministers and support Scotland’s Chief Plant Health Officer 

The UK Forestry Standard (5th Edition) ensures forests meet today’s needs without compromising future generations.

The UK Forestry Standard (5th Edition)

Tree felling regulations

We regulate tree felling in Scotland. Permission is required unless an exemption applies.

Key legislation:

Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018 (Legislation.gov.uk)

Forestry Act 1967 (certain provisions retained) (Legislation.gov.uk)

Learn about felling regulations and transition arrangements.

View Devolution of forestry: factsheets (Scottish Government website)

We assess proposals for forestry projects that may significantly affect the environment, including:

• afforestation - planting of new woodlands
• deforestation - felling of woodland for another land use
• forest roads and quarries - construction and maintenance

Explore the EIA process 

Access more guidance on making a request for environmental information (Scottish Information Commissioner website)

Our responses are published on the Scottish Government’s website.

Cross border functions

We manage and coordinate:

• UK Forestry Standard – the national benchmark for sustainable forest management
• Woodland Carbon Code – supporting carbon capture through woodland creation
• economic advice – guiding forestry investment and development

We also coordinate elements of cross-border forestry arrangements with England and Wales.

Access to information

The public has the right to access information under the Freedom of Information Act (Scotland) 2002 and Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004.