Stirling Council is inviting residents and community groups to share their views on a draft tree and woodland strategy designed to improve and expand the area's treescape in both urban and rural settings.
The strategy builds on existing tree-planting work across Stirling, where almost 3.5 million trees have been planted since 2020. More than 2,000 trees were planted on council land in 2025/26 with support from the council and local volunteers.
Developed with local charity
The strategy, developed in partnership with local charity Treelink Stirling, aims to help council services, residents, land managers, developers, businesses, community groups and organisations collaborate to achieve the area's tree and woodland goals. It also supports more local and community tree-planting activities.
A survey on the draft strategy is live on the Engage Stirling website and will remain open until midnight on September 2.
Benefits for health and climate
Cllr Alasdair Tollemache, Stirling Council's Environment, Transport and Net Zero Convener, said: “Trees enrich our lives and landscapes in many ways. They support our health, economy, culture and climate, while providing important food and shelter for wildlife.
“They help protect us from extreme weather, including an ever-increasing period of extreme heat; improve air and water quality; support mental and physical health; restore nature and create attractive places for people.
“This draft strategy provides a clear framework to overcome the challenges of increasing and enhancing our tree and woodland resources across the region, so that we secure the broad range of environmental, economic, health and social benefits for everyone in Stirling.
“It highlights the importance of working together with a variety of local partners to deliver on tree and woodland-related actions and achieve a set of bold targets.
“Your feedback will help shape how we improve and expand our tree and woodland in the future so please have a look at the draft strategy and take part in the quick survey before the deadline of September 2.”
Five key objectives
The council's tree planting programme is funded through the Scottish Government's Nature Restoration Fund. The strategy is built on five key objectives: using the council's tree-related resources, authority and leadership; tackling climate change through woodland creation; increasing tree canopy cover in settlements; delivering woodland habitat network connections; and systematic tree and woodland management.
The targets align with those in Stirling Council's Climate and Nature Emergency (CaNE) Plan and the Alive with Nature Plan, and will be used to measure success in delivering the strategy's objectives. The purpose of these targets is to drive action that increases the landscape's ability to store carbon, halt biodiversity loss, improve resilience to climate impacts, and create happier and healthier places for people and nature.
For more information, including viewing and downloading the strategy, visit the Engage Stirling website.
