Perth tops Scots city-tree league

Perth is home to more trees than any other city in the country.

New figures from Woodland Trust Scotland show 22.2% of land in the Fair City is covered by trees, compared to 17.8% in neighbouring Dundee.

Perth topped the urban woodland table for Scottish cities, closely followed by Inverness at 21% and Stirling at 20%. Aberdeen fared worst, with just 10%.

The figures were announced as senior members of Scotland’s five political parties signed a pledge to increase urban woodland, after it was shown to improve mental and physical health, as well as reducing stress, saving energy, cutting flood risk and boosting clean air.

Rural economy secretary Fergus Ewing said: “I want planting and maintaining trees and woodlands to be a shared national endeavour, and that applies to our towns and cities as much as it does to rural areas.

“There is a role for local authorities, public agencies, communities and individuals all to play in this regard and I look forward to working with Woodland Trust Scotland and other partners to ensure that everyone benefits from the positive contribution that trees can make to urban life.”

Tim Hall of Woodland Trust Scotland said: “We look forward to seeing words leading to action and the people of Scotland enjoying more of the benefits urban trees offer.”