Forestry Commission Scotland has unveiled changes designed to encourage more planting of productive conifer forests.
The changes to Rural Priorities grant funding is designed to reverse the current trend where 75% of new planting is native woodland, rather than conifers.
The UK forestry and timber processing industries have been campaigning for such moves to support the future availability of raw material.
“The changes will encourage more productive forestry, the sort that will yield a future timber harvest capable of sustaining and expanding Scotland’s forestry industry,” said James Simpson, the commission’s head of delivery and regions.
The Scottish government’s Rationale for Woodland Expansion suggests about 60% of new woodland would be productive and 40% would be native.
Mr Simpson said by getting more commercial planting under way, the long-term viability of the forestry industry would be ensured.
The main changes are limiting the Farmland Premium associated with native woodland planting to 50ha per application and proposals for the Central Scotland Mixed Woodland Option to be limited to 20-45ha.
Changes will apply to all planting proposals not yet formally submitted.
