The Scottish government’s climate change advisers have raised “serious concerns” about cuts to tree planting.

It was announced in December that the woodland creation budget was being slashed by 41% from £77.2m to £45.4m.

Ministers have admitted the cut means they will fall well short of next year’s target of 18,000 hectares of new woodland to tackle climate change.

The Scottish government has blamed the decision on cuts to the block grant from Westminster.

The forestry sector said the decision will mean millions of small trees which have been growing in nurseries ready for planting will have to be destroyed.