GROWING PAINS

Tree planting rates need a boost, figures suggest

WOODLAND growth remained stunted last year as figures suggest far more trees need planting to meet targets to help tackle the climate and nature crises.

Around 13,840 hectares of new woodland were created across the UK in 2021-22, according to figures published by Forest Research.

The Committee on Climate Change says the UK needs to be planting more than double that – 30,000 hectares a year – to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions targets by 2050.

The majority (10,480 hectares) of new woodland was created in Scotland, while 2,260 was in England.

That was up slightly from 2,050 the previous year but still below 2,360 in 2019-20.

Last year, the UK Government pledged to plant 7,000 hectares of woodland per year in England by 2024, meaning the pace will have to quicken significantly to meet the goal.

In Wales, 580 new hectares were recorded, along with 540 in Northern Ireland.

Andy Egan, head of conservation policy for the Woodland Trust, said: “Despite plenty of warm words the latest figures show that the Government is failing to halt the long term decline of our precious native woods and the wildlife they provide a home to.

“Urgent action is needed now if we are to stem the loss of species and begin nature’s recovery.

“Government needs to up its game in the face of the twin climate and nature crises and start to both regulate effectively and invest properly to protect and restore our native woods and trees and the wonderful benefits they provide to people and wildlife.

“There is no greater duty than for Government to ensure the well-being of current and future generations.”

The Woodland Trust also highlighted figures from the Forestry Commission’s latest annual report showing that only just over a third (36%) of English woodland designated as sites of special scientific interest (SSSIs) were in a “favourable” condition.

It also found that populations of woodland bird species continued their decline, and that new diseases affecting trees were becoming established in the UK.

Environment Secretary George Eustice said: “We have stretching and ambitious targets when it comes to tree planting, and just last year we launched the England Trees Action Plan.

“Through the plan, we will plant 30,000 hectares of new woodland every year in the UK by the end of this Parliament, backed up by over £500 million of Nature for Climate Funding.”