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About i-Tree Eco Edinburgh

An i-Tree Eco survey was was undertaken in summer 2013, updated in 2016, to value a number of ecosystem services provided by Edinburgh’s trees. 

The ecosystem services valued were: carbon capture, rainwater interception and the removal of air pollution. The socio-cultural value of the trees was also determined.

The study was funded by the City of Edinburgh Council and Forestry Commission Scotland and was carried out by Forest Research.

Research objectives

  • Identify the species composition, age-size class and health of Edinburgh’s urban forest
  • Calculate the ecosystem services they provide
  • Determine the land-use type(s) where more trees could be planted
  • Conduct a risk analysis of the susceptibility of Edinburgh’s urban forest to pests and diseases

Findings and Recommendations

This study demonstrates the value that the urban forest provides to all who live or work in, or whom visit Edinburgh. Key findings of the study include:

  • Edinburgh has over 712,000 trees, resulting in an average urban tree density of 62 trees per hectare
  • Edinburgh has a 17% urban tree cover, equal to an area of 1,950 ha
  • The trees were primarily found in residential land, parks and on institutional land.
  • The urban forest includes 50 tree and shrub species, recorded across 8 land use categories
  • Sycamore, Holly and Silver birch are the top three tree species
  • The ecosystem services provided by Edinburgh’s urban trees were estimated to have a value of £1.82 million per year

For further details and results see the Summary Report and Full Report in the Documents section (below).

Contact

Kieron Doick

Further Information

i-Tree website

Downloads

Funding & partners
  • City of Edinburgh Council
  • Forestry Commission Scotland
  • Forest Research

Related content

Research

i-Tree Eco

Bringing a fully functioning i-Tree Eco to the UK to support the quantification, valuation and resource management of urban trees, greenspaces and forests.

Status current