The Scottish Government has announced that it will ask the public to make the final decision on choosing a national tree for Scotland.
Rory Syme from the Woodland Trust Scotland said: “An official national tree would be a fantastic legacy of the Year of Natural Scotland, providing recognition of the role that native trees have in shaping the nation’s landscape and identity.
“Scots pine will undoubtedly be a favourite, but many other species, such as rowan and aspen, have a rich heritage of their own and could be considered candidates.
“Alex Hamilton deserves a great deal of credit for getting his campaign to this stage. We will be encouraging as many people as possible to take part in the consultation to help demonstrate the public appetite for this.”
Alan Watson Featherstone from charity Trees for Life explained why his organisation is backing the Scots Pine: “The Scots pine is one of the world’s most beautiful trees, a powerful symbol of Scotland and a keystone species of the Caledonian Forest, which in turn is one of the country’s greatest national treasures.
“Declaring this remarkable and important species as our national tree in 2013, the year of Natural Scotland, would send a much-needed signal of support for Scotland’s beleaguered forests, and would boost the development of a uniquely Scottish national identity. The Scots pine’s natural range in the UK distinguishes Scotland from the rest of the country.
“Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) is the largest and longest-lived tree in the Caledonian Forest, and forms a ‘backbone’ in the forest ecosystem on which many other species depend.
“The tree provides a home for special wildlife, including red squirrels, capercaillie, crossbills and crested tits. It offers ideal nesting sites for ospreys, shelter for deer and pine martens, and shade for twinflower, one-flowered wintergreen and blaeberries. The richly textured bark of a pine is a fantastic habitat for lichens, mosses and insects.”
Over 70 countries around the world, from Canada to Denmark to South Africa, have National Trees that provide important symbols for their national identities.
The bid to address Scotland’s current lack of an official tree was begun by campaigner and Trees for Life supporter Alex Hamilton.
A poll by the Woodland Trust Scotland conducted earlier this year found two thirds of people backed Scots pine for the status national tree, with rowan in second place.
The Scottish Government has announced that it will ask the public to make the final decision on choosing a national tree for Scotland.