TWO million trees will be planted in the county to help create an East Lothian Climate Forest.

Working in partnership with communities, landowners and producers, the hundreds of thousands of trees will be planted by 2031, increasing the urban tree canopy and expanding the network of hedgerows.

The local authority has set a target for the county to become carbon neutral while also delivering biodiversity, landscape, health and wellbeing, and green network benefits.

The move comes after councillors agreed a tree and woodland strategy, and follows the local authority declaring a nature emergency last year.

Councillor Norman Hampshire, leader of the local authority, said: “While East Lothian has comparatively low levels of woodland, we are an area experiencing significant change, particularly as we play our part in delivering national housebuilding targets.

“The publication of the Tree and Woodland Strategy for East Lothian, based on community feedback, will ensure that trees and woodland can help us address the climate and biodiversity challenges we are dealing with as a society.

“Positive steps such as significant new tree planting can help us play our part by absorbing carbon, while helping to improve the resilience of East Lothian’s environment.

“The strategy can also help us maximise benefits for local people in terms of opportunities for recreation and improved health and wellbeing.

“An action plan underpins the strategy, which will help us make positive progress over the next decade and give us a basis on which to expand woodland in the longer term.”

While the strategy has no end date, its focus is on the next 10 years. It will help fulfil the council’s legislative duty to promote sustainable forest management.

Following an extensive period of public engagement last summer, the strategy was revised to take account of public comments.

This included changes to recognise respect for woodlands and their users and the importance of sustainably managed commercial woodland.

At the council’s cabinet meeting, members raised concerns about possible unauthorised incidents of tree felling.

Members were advised that most tree works require permission or notification, whether as felling permission from Scottish Forestry or from the council for conservation areas, tree preservation orders and planning permissions.

Councillor Colin McGinn, cabinet spokesperson for community wellbeing and sport, countryside and leisure, described the new strategy as “a very positive development”.

He said: “I believe the strategy can help collective efforts to support and maintain East Lothian’s countryside, which is much valued by local residents and visitors alike.”