Why urban Scotland must plant 2.5 million saplings for 'tree equality'

Modley Place/Modley Avenue in Ellon has the highest tree equity score in Aberdeenshire

About 2.5 million more trees will be needed in Scotland's towns and cities to create "tree equality", according to the Woodland Trust.

The conservation charity has developed a 'tree equity score' for every neighbourhood in the country to help rebalance the urban canopy cover.

Experts say trees are shown to improve mood, provide cleaner air and create more attractive neighbourhoods and yet many of the most deprived areas have very few.

The mapping has identified more than 40,000 hectares in Scotland with high social deprivation and low tree numbers which will now be targeted for planting.

The areas identified are home to about 1.5 million people.

Greenock Waterfront, Helen Street in Govan and the Barrowfield area of Glasgow have the lowest tree equity scores.

A total of 607 neighbourhoods have a score of 100 meaning they have low inequality and a canopy cover around or in excess of 30 percent.

Peterhead resident Ayeshia Taylor believes more trees would enhance her neighbourhood

The Roanheads area of Peterhead has a tree equity score of just 42, with low incomes, significant health inequalities and a tree canopy cover of 0%.

With a population of 1,132 people, it is ranked lowest of the 104 neighbourhoods in Aberdeenshire.

It has a small number of immature trees including four apple trees which have recently been planted in an area of grass at the junction of five roads, including Ugie Street and North Street.

Significant parts of St Peter Street are laid out with cobbles and most of the tree pits that were built into the design no longer contain any trees.

Resident Ayeshia Taylor, 33, said it would be good to see local air quality improving.

She added: "It would look a lot better to have a little bit more wildlife and trees about than cars and buildings."

Ellon resident Richard Edwards highly values the trees, including a beech, in his garden

Not that many miles away, in Ellon, trees are in abundance.

Its lowest tree equity score is 76 in an area with 9% canopy cover but two neighbourhoods have the highest possible rating.

The area around Modley Place and School Hill has a 39% canopy cover and it's fair to say that it feels... leafy.

The housing is a mix of older former council stock with gardens and newer builds.

Many properties have trees in their gardens and the area is bordered by woodlands, including on the Formartine and Buchan Way cycle path which was once the railway line to Peterhead.

One house has an ornate honesty box in the garden selling home made cakes and tray bakes.

Richard Edwards, 75, is selecting his favourite fancy pieces when I ask him how he feels about the neighbourhood.

He tells me: "We have two red squirrels, we have roe deer and we have probably about 40 species of birds visiting the garden over a year.

"It's uplifting to see nature quite close up."

Anna Perks from Woodland Trust believes trees are important for health and wellbeing

Woodland Trust Scotland works with communities and local authorities to identify areas that would be suitable for more tree planting.

It says the areas with the best health outcomes have 40% more tree canopy cover than the least healthy places.

Only 12% of Scots living in urban areas have "enough" trees, the organisation believes.

The tree equity database has been developed to better understand the starting point for increasing tree cover in areas that need it the most.

Planting all 2.5 million trees needed is a long term goal which Woodland Trust Scotland says it would not be able to deliver alone.

Their priority areas are those neighbourhoods with a tree equity score under 80.

Tree equity lead Anna Perks says trees are great for mental and physical health as well as providing shade and shelter.

She added: "We're really keen that everybody can have their access to those benefits in Scotland's towns and cities and that's the key aim of our 'trees for all' project.

"Trees aren't just decorative. They're having a direct impact on our wellbeing and our health."

The database covers tree canopy levels, environmental information about heat extremes, air quality and social factors.