Scotland has a very low percentage of woodland cover compared with other countries in Europe, although it has increased over the last century. In 1900 only 5% of Scotland was covered in forest, but by 2007 this had increased to 17%. The vision of the Scottish Forestry Strategy  is that, by the second half of the 21st century, woodlands will have expanded to around 25% of Scotland's land area.

This will mean the creation between 10000 and 15000ha of new woodland per year including 2000ha on the national forest estate. It is also intended that at least 4500ha of native woodland will be created - or restored from woodland planted with non-native species - per year, to help meet HAP targets and develop habitat networks.

Appropriate woodland expansion will lead to more of the benefits that woodlands provide:

• Richer and more diverse habitats for wildlife
• Enhanced landscapes
• Sequestration and long-term storage of carbon
• Timber, wood-fuel and other woodland products
• 'Ecosystem services', including clean water, mitigation of diffuse agricultural pollution, and reduction in flood risk
• Secure jobs and enhanced rural and national economies

However, this expansion must be carefully planned. Scotland is a small country and much of its land is not suitable for trees. A change this big will have a major impact on the landscape, wildlife, the rural economy and carbon storage - for better or for worse. Woodland which improves the connectivity of natural habitats, or provides high quality timber close to a good transport route, will be very beneficial. Trees planted on organic soils may dry out the soils, leading to rapid rates of decomposition and release of more carbon than that taken up by the trees.

Much of the expansion will take place on privately owned land, according to the landowners' objectives. The Scottish Government can influence how and where this happens by providing incentives to encourage the development of woodland in ways most beneficial to society. These can ensure woodland is created on the most suitable soils and support designs that improve landscapes on degraded urban fringes, provide habitats for wildlife or mitigate diffuse pollution in watercourses. Spatial planning tools are being developed to help landowners to consider how best they can develop woodland in order to maximise benefits for wildlife through improving habitat connectivity. Work is also ongoing to consider how we can develop tools to help design woodland to provide ecosystem services - by reducing flood risk, filtering water to reduce pollution or helping to decontaminate land on brownfield sites.

• Forestry Commission Scotland   serves as the forestry directorate of the Scottish Government.
• Highland Birchwoods   was formed in 1992 as a partnership of the Forestry Commission, Scottish Natural Heritage, Highland Council and Highland & Islands Enterprise to promote best practice in the management of woodlands and forests to: improve conservation and biodiversity values, deliver sustainable rural development, enhance recreational, landscape and amenity facilities.
• Reforesting Scotland  is a networking organisation of those active in the ecological and social regeneration of Scotland.
• Trees for Life  is the only organisation specifically dedicated to restoring the Caledonian Forest to a target area of 600 sq miles in the Scottish Highlands.. Their website includes the Caledonian Forest information centre   and the aspen project website
• The Community Woodlands Association  was established in 2003 as the direct representative body of Scotland's community woodland groups. They help community woodland groups across the country achieve their aspirations and potential, providing advice, assistance and information, facilitating networking and training, and representing and promoting community woodlands to the wider world.

The Native Woodlands Discussion Group  is a not-for-profit membership group. It is open to anyone interested in the ecology and management of native woodlands in northern Britain. Members are an eclectic mixture of professional foresters, staff from government and non-government agencies, people who work with community woodlands, people involved in woodland history and archaeology, students, teachers and interested amateurs. Members also include artists, musicians, writers and others who draw inspiration as well as enjoyment from our native woods.