Protecting Scotland’s Most Precious Woods and Trees

That the Parliament recognises that ancient woodland and ancient and veteran trees are irreplaceable natural assets, which are critical to addressing the nature and climate emergencies, protecting biodiversity and storing carbon; understands that while ancient woodland covers only one to two percent of Scotland’s landmass, more than two thirds of it is in poor ecological condition and 12.5% has been lost entirely in the last 40 years; welcomes what it views as policy improvements in recent years, including enhanced protection within National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) for ancient woodland, namely Policy 6, and the introduction of a framework for statutory nature restoration targets and better deer management in the Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2026; notes the view of Woodland Trust Scotland that, despite these welcome policy developments, Scotland’s ancient woods and ancient and veteran trees remain vulnerable to ongoing loss, degradation, and fragmentation caused by development pressures, unsustainable grazing, invasive species and climate impacts; understands that individual ancient and veteran trees, including those in the Central Scotland and Lothians West region, currently lack robust, dedicated statutory protection equivalent to protected structures or historical monuments, and believes that deliberate damage to or destruction of what remains of Scotland’s ancient woodland and ancient and veteran trees is intolerable on any grounds.