Woodland Carbon Code data: EIR release

Information requested

Within Scotland from 2011 to 2023 (or 2022), how many schemes are there and over what area is natural tree regeneration of native tree species being used?

Within Scotland from 2011 to 2023 (or 2022), how many schemes are there and over what area is planting of native tree species being used?

Within Scotland from 2011 to 2023 (or 2022), how many schemes are there and over what area is planting of non-native tree species being used?

And how many of these schemes and over what area is there ground preparation of different types (e.g. mounding, trench-mounding, ploughing) prior to planting?

And how many schemes and what area will be clear-felled for a timber crop followed by [presumed renewed natural tree regeneration / re-stocking of presumed native / non-native trees]?

Within Scotland from 2011 to 2023 (or 2022), how many schemes are there and over what area have deer fences been used to protect growing trees? I assume lengths of fence are unknown.

Within Scotland from 2011 to 2023 (or 2022), how much has the scheme cost in Scotland in terms of grants to landowners?

Within Scotland from 2011 to 2023 (or 2022), how much (area) other planting has there been of conifer plantations by Forestry and Land that is not within the Woodland Carbon Code?

Assuming an initial planting level of 1600 seedling per ha under the WCC, how many tree stems would be expected at year 50 and 100?

Response

Please see below for some of the information we hold in relation to your request. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because an exception under regulation 10(4)(b) (Manifestly unreasonable requests) of the EIRs applies to some of the information you have requested. This is because the necessary variables are held in individual records but our computer systems do not allow us to collate them into presentable information, and due to the high number of records covered by your request and therefore the high burden of collating and presenting the information, we consider it would be unreasonable to produce the collation manually. We have provided links to the individual records in question where these are available.

Please see Annex A for further details of why this exception applies.

Within Scotland from 2011 to 2023 (or 2022), how many schemes are there and over what area is natural tree regeneration of native tree species being used?

We don’t hold this information in data fields in the UK Land Carbon Registry, but the documentation of each project will note whether there is any natural regeneration included in a project. Project information can be viewed/downloaded here.

Within Scotland from 2011 to 2023 (or 2022), how many schemes are there and over what area is planting of native tree species being used?
Within Scotland from 2011 to 2023 (or 2022), how many schemes are there and over what area is planting of non-native tree species being used?

In Scotland as of 31/12/2023, there are 397 projects validated to the Woodland Carbon Code, covering 28,591 hectares. We don’t hold information about native and non-native tree species planted in the UK Land Carbon Registry, but we do publish statistics which show the proportion of project area which is broadleaved (>80%), predominantly broadleaved (50-80%), predominantly conifer (50-80%) or conifer (>80%). Conifer species include native Scots Pine. As of 31/12/2023, In Scotland, validated projects are 30% broadleaved, 11% mixed, mainly broadleaved, 23% mixed mainly conifer and 37% conifer. This is shown here: Woodland Carbon Code statistics - UK Woodland Carbon Code

And how many of these schemes and over what area is there ground preparation of different types (e.g. mounding, trench-mounding, ploughing) prior to planting?

We don’t hold this information in data fields in the UK Land Carbon Registry, but within the documentation of each project, it is possible to find the type of ground preparation used. Project information can be viewed/downloaded here.

And how many schemes and what area will be clear-felled for a timber crop followed by [presumed renewed natural tree regeneration / re-stocking of presumed native / non-native trees]?

All projects are new woodland creation, not restocking of an existing woodland site, so no projects involve replacing an existing timber crop with natural regeneration, native planting or non-native planting.

Within Scotland from 2011 to 2023 (or 2022), how many schemes are there and over what area have deer fences been used to protect growing trees? I assume lengths of fence are unknown.

We don’t hold this information in data fields in the UK Land Carbon Registry, but within the documentation of each project, it is possible to find whether or not a project was fenced. Project information can be viewed/downloaded here.

Within Scotland from 2011 to 2023 (or 2022), how much has the scheme cost in Scotland in terms of grants to landowners?

The Woodland Carbon Code programme does not provide any public money to projects validated to the standard, but provides them with the opportunity to sell carbon credits which may generate a source of income from private companies.

Within Scotland from 2011 to 2023 (or 2022), how much (area) other planting has there been of conifer plantations by Forestry and Land that is not within the Woodland Carbon Code?

Details of planting by Forestry and Land Scotland are not held by Scottish Forestry. Please contact freedomofinformation@forestryandland.gov.scot

Assuming an initial planting level of 1600 seedling per ha under the WCC, how many tree stems would be expected at year 50 and 100?

We would expect projects to be managed in accordance with the UK Forestry Standard. The number of tree stems expected at year 50 or 100 will depend on a number of factors, including the planned management regime of the project.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

EIR 202400398009 - Information released - Annex A

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