BORDERS MSPs Craig Hoy and Rachael Hamilton have raised concerns about a slump in tree-planting activity by the Scottish Government in the Borders.
In 2022, 544,822 trees were planted by Scottish Forestry in the Borders, compared to 1,157,782 trees in 2021. Fewer than half as many trees were planted last year compared to the year before.
The Scottish Government’s target is for 12,000 hectares of woodlands to be planted each year and 21% of Scotland’s land area to be covered by woodlands by 2032.
Mr Hoy, a Conservative MSP for South Scotland, said: “It is worrying to see such a significant drop in tree-planting by the Scottish Government in the Borders given their ambitious target to turn over 12,000 hectares of land into woodland each year.
“Woodland can help to purify air and rivers as well as reduce flooding risks and increase biodiversity and environmental sustainability in the area.
“I would encourage the Scottish Government to support sensible tree planting initiatives in the Borders and for local residents to consider planting a tree of their own. Residents may wish to plant a tree for the Queen’s Green Canopy Project in memory of Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.”
Rachael Hamilton, Conservative MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Selkirk, said: “The Scottish Government have committed to planting thousands of hectares of woodland each year. The lack of progress over the last year in the Scottish Borders is deeply concerning and shows that they have been knocked off course in terms of achieving this.
“However, it is also important to consider the kind of trees that are being planted, alongside where they will grow.
“Riparian woodland restoration and native tree planting will be key protecting our environment and improving biodiversity long term. I believe it is vital that the SNP Government takes their commitment to do this seriously, given the precarious state of Scotland’s biodiversity.
“On this latest evidence, they are falling woefully short of fulfilling those commitments.”
