Tree Planting Policy
Perth and Kinross Council · 18 February 2026
Back to Climate Change and Sustainability Committee — 18 February 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Our vision is a Perth and Kinross where everyone can live life well, free from poverty and inequality ___________________________________________________________________ Committee or Board: Climate Change & Sustainability Committee Date of Meeting: 18 February 2026 Report Title: Tree Planting Policy Report Number: 26/46 46 Report Author: Magnus Morgan/Calum Bachell – Community Greenspace Organisational Lead: Elaine Ritchie – Strategic Lead Housing & Communities ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Purpose 1.1 This report sets out the proposal for a Council wide Tree Planting Policy which will become part of the Council’s Tree Management Strategy which also contains the approved Tree Management Policy and Ash Dieback Strategy The Policy’s aims are to increase tree canopy cover where possible, improve biodiversity, mitigate climate change and enhance public spaces through appropriate and sustainable planting. 1.2 Sections 1. Purpose 2. Recommendations 3. Background/Main Issues 4. Impact and Value Assessment 5. Appendices 2. Recommendations It is recommended that the Committee: 2.1 Approves the Tree Planting Policy that will be the first formal document covering tree planting throughout Council owned, managed and maintained land, so that existing funding is used efficiently following recommended methods and in appropriate locations.
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3. Background/Main Issues 3.1 Historic Information/Context 3.1.1 Trees provide essential habitat for wildlife and maintain biodiversity in the face of increasing threats from climate change and other human activities. In addition, they provide improved air quality, flood mitigation, erosion control and shade provision as well providing health and well-being benefits to the public. 3.1.2 Ash Dieback and other tree diseases combined with increasingly severe weather events, have led to a significant loss in tree cover which will need to be replaced. Naturally aging tree populations will also need planned replacement. New planting projects to expand carbon sequestration and canopy cover will benefit greatly from a well-defined process. While native species will be prioritised, non-native species are also considered where providing additional ecological resilience and/or other benefits to biodiversity, climate change, while maintaining Perth & Kinross’s reputation as Big Tree Country. 3.1.3 Until now there has been no formal structured Tree Planting Policy. This Policy allows for consistent long-term planning and maintenance of trees on Council land. There are many examples of trees of the wrong type being planted in the wrong locations which go on to cause problems for neighbours and even physical damage to surfaces and structures. They can grow too large for the locations selected and lead to complaints which can be costly to address. Trees should not be located where they ultimately compromise the function of the spaces they are in or adjacent to or require remedial trimming or felling. 3.1.4 The Tree Planting Policy has been developed to provide a comprehensive system including planning, site selection, species selection, planting method, recording, establishment and maintenance based around having the “Right Tree in the Right Place”. It covers planting and aftercare specific to the varied site characteristics within Perth & Kinross. 3.2 Options Available to Elected Members/Board members 3.2.1 The Committee agrees to adopt the proposed Tree Planting Policy. 3.2.2 The Committee disagrees with the adoption of The Tree Planting Policy and planting continues without consistent or appropriate planting methods. 3.3 Rationale for Recommendations made in Section 2 3.3.1 The proposed Policy offers the first formal set of guidelines for tree planting throughout the Council ensuring that there is an effective and comprehensive system in place. This will complement current management plans and The Forest Plan.
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3.3.2 A structured approach to planting will ensure that existing budgets are used in the most efficient manner ensuring maximum survivability of planted stock and reducing the need for the replacement of failed plantings. It will also guide tree planting into the future, so they are an enhancement to solve problems rather than creating any. This should avoid the Council having to deal with many of the tree management issues set out in the Tree Management Policy 3.3.3 Logically staged procedures will ensure that planting activities are correctly recorded, making establishment and maintenance more efficient and allowing the Council to calculate increases in canopy cover more easily. It will also help to guide the appropriate replacement of trees lost in delivering the Council’s Ash Dieback Strategy 4. Impact and Value Assessment Tree Planting Policy Impact and Value Assessment 5. Appendices 5.1 Appendix A – Tree Planting Policy