Vast plantations dominated by Sitka spruce, a fast-growing tree native to North America, are sprouting across the country, fuelled by generous grants and tax breaks for investors. About 22 million trees were planted last year and the SNP wants 21 per cent of Scotland covered in forest by 2032. There are concerns, however, that churning up swathes of countryside to make way for industrial Sitka spruce plantations can release “pulses” of carbon into the atmosphere.
Times 11th July 2021 read more »
How much carbon, locked into the upper layers of peaty soils, will be released by disturbing the land. Could this undermine the claim by Scottish ministers and forestry officials that trees are a silver bullet to tackling global warming. “This is the million-dollar question,” said Paterson, who has banded together with other residents to form Communities for Diverse Forestry, a campaign group. “There’s a headlong rush into planting trees but nobody really seems to know the answer to the soil carbon question. I’d be perfectly happy with half a billion trees if diverse species are planted on the right soils, rather than extensive monocultures on question-able soils.”
Times 11th July 2021 read more »