The debate about the future of Scotland is and should be multi-dimensional and I believe that the vision of the future of Scotland should include a permanent commitment to our woodlands and natural heritage. A clear statement to this effect should be made and, as part of that, I wish to propose that the Scottish Government and Parliament adopts the Scots Pine as the National Tree of Scotland.
The Scots Pine is an appropriate symbol for Scotland.
· It is the largest and longest lived tree in the Caledonian Forest and is our only native conifer grown commercially.
· During the past 300 years, the distribution of the Scots Pine was greatly reduced but its numbers are beginning to increase and the Scots Pine is thus a symbol of a resurgent Scotland.
· Like the people of Scotland, the Scots Pine comes in different shapes and colours.
· The Scots Pine is a keystone species in the ecosystem forming the backbone on which many plants, animals, birds and insects depend; it is generous and all-embracing.
· The only bird which is endemic to the UK (ie found here and nowhere else in the world) is the Scottish crossbill (Loxia scotica), which is confined to the pinewoods. It is sometimes called the 'Scottish parrot' because of its crossed mandibles, which it uses to prise open the tightly-fitting scales of the Scots pine's cones. The seeds inside form the mainstay of the diet for this rare bird.
· The Scots Pine is known and loved by many Scots and having it as a National Symbol will encourage Scottish citizens in assessing, improving and being involved with their environment.
· The United Kingdom –or is it England?- has its Royal Oak; it is time for Scotland to have its National Tree!
I hope that the Scottish Parliament and Government, in cooperation with the assorted natural heritage and environment agencies and, most importantly, the Scottish people, will consider this proposal.