Scotland has taken a major step toward tackling climate change with the opening of a £26 million tree-growing facility that will transform the nation’s forestry output.
Newton Tree Nursery, near Elgin, was officially opened by the First Minister and is set to almost triple Forestry and Land Scotland’s tree production, from seven million to nearly 20 million trees per year by 2029.
This expansion will help secure the sustainable management of Scotland’s national forests, bolster the rural economy, and power efforts to restore habitats, boost biodiversity, and capture carbon.
Seedling operations began in March, and already 12 million trees are thriving inside the UK’s largest and most advanced tree-growing glasshouse.
The facility sets a new benchmark for biosecure, sustainable, and high-volume forestry production ensuring Scotland’s forests have a consistent supply of healthy, high-quality trees for decades to come.
First Minister John Swinney said Scotland’s woodlands are “a natural powerhouse” and “one of the most important resources we have to tackle the climate emergency.”
He added:
“Our investment in this state-of-the-art glasshouse will not only contribute to environmental sustainability and help to restore habitats, but it will also support rural jobs and the sustainable use of timber in the construction industry.
Tackling the climate emergency and growing Scotland’s economy go hand in hand and facilities like Newton Tree Nursery are vital to achieving both.”
Forestry and Land Scotland CEO Kevin Quinlan said the nursery is “a major investment in the future of forestry in Scotland” and will play a key role in supporting a resilient and sustainable timber supply chain.
“This is especially important for the timber industry,” he said.
“By increasing capacity at Newton, we’re investing at the very start of that supply chain, ensuring a consistent supply of high-quality planting stock for years to come.”
With Scotland looking to reduce reliance on imports and embrace timber as a low-carbon building material, Newton Tree Nursery stands as both an environmental milestone and an economic driver, a national asset that will shape the forests of the future.
