Number of trees felled for wind farm construction

Responding to news that almost seven million trees have been felled in the north of Scotland to make way for onshore wind farms since the year 2000;

Morag Watson, Director of Policy at Scottish Renewables said:

"In the 20 years covered by this Freedom of Information request, wind farm developers have felled 32% of the trees that commercial forestry would fell in only one year.

“The removal of trees during the construction of a wind farm – in the main from non-native conifer forests – is regulated by strict planning conditions. Planners can decide that an equal or greater number of trees are replanted on-site or elsewhere as compensation if they choose.

“Overall wind energy now provides two thirds of Scotland’s renewable electricity, reducing carbon emissions and tackling climate change: the greatest threat to Scotland’s forests.”

Media coverage: Millions of trees felled to make way for north of Scotland wind farms