In a bid to combat climate change, Scotland has taken a decisive step forward by implementing new regulations affecting the heating systems of new buildings. From April 1st, 2024, the landscape of home heating in Scotland underwent a significant transformation, particularly about wood-burning stoves.

The crux of this change lies in the April 2024 version of the Domestic Technical Handbook issued by the Scottish Government, (Mandatory Standard 6.11), which mandates that every new building must be designed and constructed to eschew direct emission heating systems. However, this prohibition comes with nuances. While wood-burning stoves are not outright banned in Scotland, the new rules exclusively target new-build homes, disallowing the installation of wood-burning stoves therein.

“Every building must be designed and constructed in such a way that the means by which space within the building is heated or cooled and by which hot water is made available in the building is not by means of a direct emission heating system. Limitation: This standard does not apply to: a) alterations to, or extension of, a pre-2024 building; b) emergency heating; c) heating provided solely for the purpose of frost protection.“

Domestic Technical Handbook issued by the Scottish Government, April 2024

Moreover, even existing buildings undergoing substantial conversion work are not spared from scrutiny. The regulations dictate the removal of wood-burning stoves in such cases, especially if the existing heat source is located within the portion of the building undergoing conversion.

Zero Carbon Buildings Minister Patrick Harvie underscores that exemptions exist for emergency heating systems, albeit sparingly. The regulations outline stringent criteria for exemption, making it unlikely for a typical dwelling to meet the bar. Emergency heating via wood-burning stoves becomes a consideration only under specific circumstances, primarily in larger or more complex buildings where portable solutions are unfeasible.

But what about existing homeowners? Those fortunate enough to own homes built before April 1, 2024, need not fret. The new regulations do not apply to such homes, except in cases where the building was initially constructed or converted to meet the 2024 New Building Heat Standard. Hence, existing homeowners in Scotland retain the liberty to install wood-burning stoves.

However, there’s a caveat. Developers should be cognisant of future requirements, especially concerning zero direct emissions heating (ZDEH) systems. The regulations hint at a potential future mandate to install ZDEH systems before 2045, prompting consideration for cost-effective installations during alterations or extensions of pre-2024 buildings.

In response to speculations regarding the ramifications of these new regulations, the Scottish Government issued a comprehensive statement. Emphasizing the need to address carbon emissions from heating, the government highlighted the consultation processes that preceded the implementation of the New Build Heat Standard. This standard aims to eliminate climate emissions from new buildings by prohibiting the use of polluting heating systems, including wood-burning stoves.

Importantly, existing homes remain unaffected by the new standard, ensuring that homeowners can continue to use wood-burning stoves.

In essence, Scotland’s wood-burning stove ban marks a pivotal moment in the country’s journey towards sustainability. While it imposes restrictions on new buildings, it also signals a concerted effort to mitigate climate change and transition towards cleaner heating alternatives.

You may have noticed a couple of things happen over the last couple of weeks. It’s not dark by 3pm, it’s fractionally warmer (sometimes) and there’s a hint of colour with the first bloom of spring flowers. But you may have also noticed that the trees are starting to slowly peek through with fresh, new leaves – as if they are waking up from their winter slumber.

But why do most of the 60,000 different pieces of trees wake up in spring? What triggers this dramatic transformation?

Understanding why trees wake up after winter involves how they’re built, the seasons, and where they live. Trees are tough and can live in lots of places, from super cold to super hot. They’re good at feeling and dealing with changes around them, especially when it’s time to wake up from winter.

This process revolves around finding the right balance between growth and rest. In the winter, when it’s cold and there’s not much sunlight, trees go into a sleep-like state called dormancy. This helps them save energy and shield themselves from tough weather. During dormancy, trees slow down their metabolism and stop growing

As the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, trees have an internal clock called the circadian rhythm that starts working. This clock controls a lot of the tree’s functions, like, for example, how it grows. When the days get longer, the circadian rhythm tells the tree to start making a hormone called auxin.

Auxin is a hormone in plants that helps control how they grow and change. It’s made at the tips of growing parts of the plant and moves throughout it, making cells divide and stretch. When there’s more auxin around, the buds on branches get bigger, getting ready to grow more.

There’s more to growth than just auxin. Another hormone, gibberellin, also helps things grow. Gibberellin is made in the tree’s roots and travels up to the rest of the tree. It makes cells divide and stretch out. When there’s lots of gibberellin, the buds on the tree’s branches get longer, and the leaves start to come out.

When trees come out of their winter rest, it’s not just due to hormones. They also respond to factors like temperature and sunlight to fuel their growth. As the weather warms up and days lengthen, trees ramp up their metabolism, giving them the energy to grow. More sunlight also aids in photosynthesis, converting sunlight into energy for new growth.

Besides various factors inside and outside a tree, like its environment and genetics, trees also need the right mix of nutrients and water to grow well – they can redistribute up to 95% of the water they absorb (there are more stats below!). Even when trees aren’t actively growing in winter, their roots keep soaking up nutrients and water from the soil. These are stored in the trunk and branches. When spring arrives and the tree starts growing again, it uses up these stored nutrients and water to grow new leaves, branches, and roots.

Waking up after being dormant is a complex process for trees. It involves a mix of hormones, internal clocks, and outside signals. Trees are great at adapting to their surroundings to stay alive and grow. As we enjoy the green leaves of spring, let’s take a moment to admire the incredible biology behind it all.

Trees are a crucial part of our natural environment, and they provide us with numerous benefits such as shade, oxygen, and a home to animals.

However, just like any living organism, trees have a lifespan, and sadly, due to various reasons, it can lead to them dying. Dead trees can pose significant risks to not just homes, areas and businesses but many, people, which is why it’s key to know how to check and identify what one looks like.

Read on because understanding the silent signs of a dead tree can prevent potential hazards in your environment.

Look for signs of decay

One of the most common signs of a dead tree is decay. Looking for signs of this isn’t as difficult as it may sound.

Inspect the trunk and branches of the tree for any visible signs of holes, cracks, or cavities, along with the branches, as they will show signs of peeling bark, cracks, and wood that is brittle and easily snaps off.

The presence of mushrooms or other fungi growing on the tree is another sign that would indicate that the wood is decaying.

Check the angle of the tree

We all know how the majority of trees are tall and straight but can an angle tell you the health of one? The answer is yes and an easy one to spot if one is dying.

If you see a tree that is leaning or has fallen more than 15 degrees, chances are that it won’t survive. This is caused by either root damage or following a storm that has brought with it strong winds – such as when Storm Arwen hit the UK in 2022.

Check for bark damage

A tree’s bark is another factor in identifying the health of a tree.

If one is in good health, it would produce smooth, unblemished bark with no sign of any infestation from critters. A struggling one would have the opposite effect, with crumbling or fallen bark, that has holes and cracks in them, opening the door for wood-boring insects to damage it further.

Look for dead leaves or branches

Trees that have perished will have branches and leaves that will match the state of the timber – even during a growing season. Check for any branches that have no leaves or have leaves that are brown or discoloured. Dead branches can also be identified by their lack of flexibility; they may be stiff and brittle.

Look for signs of pest infestation

Pests can cause significant damage to trees and can often lead to their death. Look for signs of pest infestation, such as chewed leaves, holes in the trunk or branches, and sawdust around the tree’s base. If you notice any signs of pest infestation, it’s important to get the tree inspected to determine the extent of the damage.

What to do if you spot a dead tree?

If you’ve spotted the signs above and one is in or around your property or public space, it’s vital to get it checked and seen as soon as humanly possible. The next steps for how to deal with it aren’t as complicated as you may think…

Hire a professional arborist

If there’s concern around a tree, it’s best to hire a professional arborist to inspect it. An arborist can identify the signs of a dead tree and recommend the best course of action to try to preserve it or…

Remove the tree

Sadly, If the tree has gone too far past the different stages, it would need to be removed from the area, taking away any danger of it falling near or on property or people.

Plant a new tree

Just because one has been taken down, it doesn’t mean that it can’t be replaced. Consider planting a new one in its place. Take a trip to your local garden centre, and chat with an expert such as an arborist or someone with Plant Nursey experience. It may take a while to fully grow but the long-term benefits would be hugely rewarding for the area and you’d have a choice in which tree you’d like.

In the end, it’s sometimes difficult to sustain the life of a tree but it doesn’t mean that it ends when it does. It could be could practise knowing the different types of trees, in case you wanted to do a like-for-like swap if replanting and making sure that they’d qualify as good wood for log burners.