A BRIGHT future for Scottish forestry lies ahead – if the country can adopt an integrated land use strategy which underpins forestry, farming and other rural sectors.

Weighing into the debate on the future of Scotland's rural policy, Scottish Land and Estates' reply to the ScotGov consultation on Scotland's Forestry Strategy noted that 'achieving consensus' over different land uses was not always a simple process.

SLE head of policy Katy Dickson said: “Forestry is a key sector for land-based businesses and the rural economy, and the private sector has a vital role to play in helping the Scottish Government achieve its increased tree planting targets.

“We welcome the long-term approach taken in this new strategy document and believe the government’s vision for forestry is broadly in tune with the wishes of rural businesses such as estates and farms who will work to deliver many of these goals.

“Where we would like to see the strategy enhanced is in decisions regarding land use and in particular, diversification from one type of land use into forestry," said Mrs Dickson. "Many businesses want a mixture of farming, forestry and other activities such as energy or tourism on their land. We fully support enabling landholders in making the correct choices for their business which will then go on to deliver for the economy, environment and community.

“We would like to see greater acknowledgement from government that there will be conflicts around land use choices rather than see integration strategies developed which dictate what a land use should be," she stressed. "We want to see an approach which creates a supportive framework to encourage land managers to achieve a mix of land uses and recognises that compromise will often be required in planting the right tree, in the right place for the right purpose.”

Also responding to the ScotGov consultation, the Scottish Wildlife Trust called for a 'greater commitment' to expanding and restoring Scotland’s native woodlands.

The Trust's priorities included ensuring that 60% of new woodland planting consisted of native trees, including a greater use of high quality hardwoods such as oak for timber, as the shift away from non-native softwoods would bring important benefits for biodiversity, as well as increasing the resilience of the forestry industry.

The Trust also suggested that there should be an increased use of continuous cover forestry to encourage a greater variety of tree ages, and new incentives for creating wood pasture and expanding the use of agro-forestry, where trees are combined with livestock grazing.

SWT chief executive Jonny Hughes said: “Scotland’s woodlands affect everyone’s lives in a multitude of ways, from giving us clean air and helping to fight climate change, to providing places for recreation and vital wildlife habitats.

“We welcome the commitments in the draft strategy on innovation and urban forestry as well as a focus on natural capital. However, there are a number of areas that need more attention, particularly in relation to biodiversity. These areas include encouraging natural regeneration of woodland by controlling deer numbers, and ensuring that modern Scottish forestry utilises a more diverse range of species," he said.

“There is a concerning over-reliance in the draft strategy on timber production using Sitka spruce, which would lock us into decades of further reliance on a single crop. Encouraging greater diversification, both in terms of the types of tree that are planted, and the activities that forests are used for, will create a more resilient and sustainable economy, while also benefitting biodiversity."