Woodland Trust Scotland takes aim at health inequalities with trees targeted by neighbourhood

Woodland Trust Scotland has announced plans to target urban planting at neighbourhoods where trees have most potential to boost human health and wellbeing.

Tree Equity Score UK is a powerful map-based tool that identifies those communities most in need of trees. It uses data on tree canopy cover, health, deprivation, urban heat and air quality to calculate a Tree Equity Score for every urban neighbourhood. The lower the score, the greater the need for more trees.

The Trust believes 2.5 million more urban trees are needed to achieve tree equity across urban Scotland. In the short term, it will target priority neighbourhoods covering 41,200 hectares that are home to 1.46 million people.

Tree equity means everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, has full and fair access to the benefits of trees and woods close to where they live and work.

Launching the Tree Equity Action Plan at Good Roots Community Garden in Stenhouse, Edinburgh’s depute Lord Provost councillor Lezley Marion Cameron 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.”

Urban trees are linked to better health and wellbeing. 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 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 tree equity lead, Anna Perks, said:

“To achieve tree equity across Scotland would require 2.5 million more trees. That vision is long term, aspirational and challenging. Moving towards it will need action from many organisations and communities over many years.

"In the short term, Woodland Trust Scotland will focus action to boost canopy cover and improve tree equity in priority neighbourhoods that are home to 1.46 million people and cover 41,200 hectares. Over the next five years, we aim to have a positive impact in at least 50% of these. We will work directly to increase urban canopy cover as well as inspiring and enabling action by others.”

Just 12% of Scots living in urban areas have enough trees. Scotland’s average urban canopy cover is 18.8% but nearly one third of areas fall short of 10% tree canopy cover.

Everyone who lives in an urban neighbourhood can check the Tree Equity Score for their area.

Notes to editors

For further information, contact George Anderson on 07900 891691.

About the Woodland Trust

The Woodland Trust is the largest woodland conservation charity in the UK with more than 500,000 supporters. With a vision of a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, today the Trust owns and cares for more than 1,000 woodland sites, covering around 33,000 hectares.

The Woodland Trust has three key aims:

1. protecting the UK's rare, unique and irreplaceable ancient woodland
2. restoring damaged ancient woodland, nurturing precious pieces of our natural heritage back to life
3. establishing new native trees and woods to create healthy, resilient landscapes for people and wildlife.

Access to all Woodland Trust woods is free so everyone can experience the physical and mental benefits of trees.