Woodland expansion and agricultural land

What is woodland expansion?

The Scottish Government wishes to increase woodland cover while integrating it with other other aspects of land-use.

For example, the need to ensure food production can flourish at the same time as we plant more trees.

This approach, outlined in the Forestry Strategy for Scotland and other policy documents, focuses on achieving a 21% forest and woodland cover by 2032.

The government seeks to achieve this through a variety of initiatives, including:

funding for farm woodlands
promoting silvopastoral systems
encouraging diverse and resilient woodland ecosystems

Scotland's Forestry Strategy 2019-2029

Background on woodland expansion

In 2008 the woodland expansion discussion paper was published. This explored how woodland expansion can best deliver public benefits from Scotland’s land.

Discussion paper on woodland expansion in Scotland

We accepted comments on the paper between 30th June and 30th September 2008. From this we compiled a report into the consultation responses.

Woodland expansion in Scotland: Report on the responses to the public consultation

The Scottish Government's rationale for woodland expansion

In 2009 the Scottish Government published it’s rationale for woodland expansion.

The Strategy identifies a number of woodland creation priorities for Scotland, to help tackle:

greenhouse gas emissions
carbon sequestration
timber and fuel production

The Scottish Government's Rationale for Woodland Expansion Why are we expanding Scotland's woodlands?

The Woodland Expansion Advisory Group (WEAG)

The Woodland Expansion Advisory Group (WEAG) was established to provide advice on expanding woodlands in Scotland.

The remit of the group is to:

identify the best land types for tree planting, in the context of other land-based objectives
promote good practices and local processes to ensure multiple benefits from woodland expansion

In 2012 the WEAG published a report outlining 24 recommendations for a new direction for woodland creation.

Report of the Woodland Expansion Advisory Group

In 2016 Forestry Commission Scotland produced a final report. This focused on implementing the response to the 2012 recommendations.

Woodland Expansion Advisory Group: Implementing the response to the recommendations

Woodland Creation Guidance

FGS applications or EIA screening requests for woodland creation should consider land use. Our information sheet provides guidance on assessing the impact of woodland expansion. You should always:

consider which types of land are best for tree planting in Scotland
follow the recommendations of the Woodland Expansion Advisory Group (WEAG)

Sensitivities should be identified at the due diligence stage of the woodland creation process.

The woodland creation application process

For larger or more sensitive sites applicants should produce a WEAG impact assessment. This should include:

land use context and capability
impacts on agriculture and economy
stakeholder engagement with SGRIPD
conclusions

Read our woodland expansion information sheet