Urban trees and woods are an important feature of our towns and cities. They include street trees, trees in public greenspaces and private gardens, hedgerows and woodlands of all types and sizes.
Urban trees and woods deliver vital social, environmental and economic benefits. They have a direct impact on our health and wellbeing, improve air quality, provide shade and shelter, boost biodiversity, increase climate resilience and help create attractive and vibrant places to live and work.
Urban woods and trees support a huge range of wildlife. As somewhere to feed, shelter and breed, they are vitally important for connectivity and supporting species in our towns and cities.
While Scotland’s average urban canopy cover is 18.8%, many neighbourhoods have far less, with nearly one third falling short of 10% tree canopy cover. Often it is our more deprived communities that are impacted most by poor access to the benefits of trees. On average, the wealthiest urban neighbourhoods in Scotland boast over 40% more tree canopy cover compared to our least affluent neighbourhoods.
With over 80% of Scots living in towns and cities, full and fair access to urban trees and the benefits they provide has never been more important. We call this principle ‘tree equity’.
Our existing urban trees and woods are a hugely valuable asset to be protected and looked after. Meanwhile, thoughtfully designed and targeted new planting can help create neighbourhoods where both people and nature can thrive.
Photo: © Jill Jennings/WTML
Action Needed
- Advocate for the recognition of urban trees as critical infrastructure that delivers vital health, climate resilience and biodiversity benefits.
- Champion recognition of urban trees and woods across relevant policy areas such as health, social justice, climate adaptation, biodiversity and place-making.
- Increase public awareness of the importance of urban trees and woods.
- Advocate for more effective protection for urban trees and woods, especially
- ancient trees and woodland, and
- trees and woods that are delivering crucial eco-system services to communities.
- Support a significant increase in canopy cover across Scotland’s towns and cities, targeted at those communities which stand to benefit most from more trees.
- Support Local Authorities to deliver tree equity through the planning process and their own land management, and by working with communities to establish more trees.
- Advocate for improved funding mechanisms to support local authorities, landowners and communities to protect, manage and expand urban trees and woods.
Threats
- Inappropriate or poorly designed development resulting in loss of irreplaceable ancient woodlands, loss of urban trees and woods, and failure to secure increases in canopy cover.
- Lack of resources for local authorities to effectively manage and establish more trees and woods close to where people live.
- A perception that urban trees are a liability rather than an asset, resulting in the unnecessary loss of existing trees and missed opportunities to increase urban canopy cover
- Ineffective or under-resourced protection of urban trees and woods, resulting in their loss.
- Overgrazing by deer in the urban environment is also an issue and management must include urban and peri-urban areas.
MSP Nature Champion
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