For the first time, Scotland’s political conversation around forestry is beginning to properly recognise the importance of trees not only in our rural landscapes, but also in our towns and cities.

The SNP’s latest manifesto commitment to set an ambitious target of 23% canopy cover in urban areas marks a significant and welcome shift in direction. For organisations like Future Woodlands Scotland, it represents an important recognition that urban forestry is no longer a ‘nice to have’ in policy thinking, it is central to Scotland’s environmental, economic and public health future.

Forestry policy has historically focused on rural land use, woodland expansion and commercial forestry and those areas remain critically important. The manifesto’s wider commitments to fund 18,000 hectares of woodland creation annually by 2029, increase native woodland creation, strengthen deer management, complete the National Register of Ancient Woodland and improve biosecurity are all positive and necessary steps.

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But the inclusion of an urban canopy target is particularly significant because it reflects a growing understanding that the climate and biodiversity crises are also urban challenges.

More than 80% of Scotland’s population lives in towns and cities. These are the places where people experience rising temperatures, poor air quality,........

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