A conservation charity will use a scoring system to identify communities across Scotland most in need of trees to boost the health of people living there.
Woodland Trust Scotland will use Tree Equity Score UK to identify the areas most in need of “tree equity” – which means full and fair access to the benefits of trees and woods close to where people live and work.
The map-based tool uses data on tree canopy cover, health, deprivation, urban heat and air quality to calculate a Tree Equity Score for every urban neighbourhood.
Urban trees are linked to better health and wellbeing and neighbourhoods with fewer trees often face higher rates of respiratory illness, heat-related health issues and mental health challenges.
The neighbourhoods with the best health outcomes enjoy 40% more tree canopy cover than the least healthy.
Woodland Trust Scotland claims that just 12% of Scots living in urban areas have enough trees, and says 2.5 million more urban trees are needed to achieve “tree equity” across urban Scotland.
The charity will target urban planting at neighbourhoods with lower scores, where trees have the most potential to boost health and wellbeing.
In the short term it will target priority neighbourhoods covering 41,200 hectares that are home to 1.46 million people.
Woodland Trust Scotland Director Alastair Seaman said: “While there are many factors at play, the presence or absence of trees makes a causal difference to people’s health and wellbeing.
“More trees aren’t a magic wand, but nor are they simply a cosmetic fix. If we are to plant urban trees, we want to plant them where they will make the most difference.
“Let’s put more trees where people need them most.”
Scotland’ s average urban canopy cover is 18.8% but nearly one third of areas fall short of 10% tree canopy cover.
Anyone who lives in an urban neighbourhood can check the Tree Equity Score for their area.
Edinburgh scores highest
By local authority, the City of Edinburgh scores the highest Tree Equity Score, with 88, ahead of East Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire (both 86).
The action plan launch was marked by the planting of fruit trees at Good Roots Community Garden in Edinburgh’s Stenhouse by Depute Lord Provost Cllr Lezley Marion Cameron.
She said: “Trees lift our mood, clean our air, shade our streets, reduce stress, nurture our wildlife, and help create attractive, healthy places we enjoy spending time in.
“Edinburgh is a top city in the UK for greenspace with 35 Green Flag Award Winning parks and the city is already home to over 884,000 trees as we work towards becoming a Million Tree City by 2030.
“I’m pleased to launch this action plan aimed at making sure everyone across Scotland has full and fair access to the benefit of trees.”
