Official statistics published on Thursday have revealed that Scotland has created the highest number of new woodland for 34 years.

The figures also show that nearly 75% of all new woodland throughout the UK were established in Scotland last year.

During 2023/4 a total of 15,000 hectares (ha) of new woodland – roughly 30 million trees – were created in Scotland, which is more than an 80% jump from the year before.

The statistics also reveal the highest level of new native woodland since 2001, with 7,700 hectares being created. This is more than twice the previous year (2,900 ha) and makes up half of the total area of new woodland in Scotland.

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Welcoming the figures, Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “This is quite a remarkable achievement and very positive news. There has been a tremendous amount of hard work to bring us these welcome figures.

“We need to give credit to all those who helped get the trees in the ground - this includes Scottish Forestry’s staff, woodland owners large and small, farmers, crofters, Forestry and Land Scotland, nurseries, forestry companies and their agents, and all those who actually did the planting.

“The figures are a perfect example of what can be achieved by working in partnership for the benefit of Scotland. I’d like to congratulate everyone involved.”

 Stuart Goodall, Chief Executive of Confederation of Forest Industries (Confor), welcomed the figures but urged the Scottish Government to commit additional funding quickly to reflect the strong demand for woodland creation.

Mr Goodall said: “These new woodland creation figures are bitter-sweet. They are positive news for Scotland’s economy and environment and they highlight the very strong demand we have in Scotland to create new woodland, including a strong component of wood-producing forests.

“It is an impressive performance from the forestry sector, both private and public, and the sector as a whole should reflect on a job well done.

“That said, it comes after the Scottish Government has taken an axe to the grants available for woodland creation next year. Surely, having seen what can be achieved when the private and public sector work together towards a common goal, the Scottish Government has to respond and find the additional funds required to secure a similarly strong performance next year?”

Mr Goodall added: “Let’s build on the growth in planting this year. With clarity on increased future funding, our nurseries will plant the young trees we need. Businesses across Scotland will invest and create jobs, and we can collectively take a big stride towards our net zero target.”

April Armstrong, Confor’s National Manager for Scotland, said: “If we don’t get a clear commitment to increased future funding soon, the boom of 2023-24 could lead straight to bust - and that would be hugely damaging for Scotland’s rural economy and environment. In light of the new planting statistics, Confor is calling on the Scottish Government to take the right path.”

A Scottish Forestry spokesperson said: “The UK Government cut the capital allocation for the Scottish Government by 10% and this has had a knock-on effect on what funding is available for this year in Scotland.

“The Scottish Budget that was agreed last February resulted in a reduction within the Forestry Grant Scheme and funding support for new woodland creation. However, there is enough budget to support around 9-10,000 ha, which when put in context, is still likely to be more than the rest of the UK combined.

“We will continue to work with the forestry sector to maximise the budget that is now available.”