Let the trees do the work of rewilding, say charities
Allowing woodland to spread naturally in Cornwall could save money and ensure you get ‘the right trees in the right place’, reports Olivier Vergnault
CORNWALL has the potential to lead the way in England when it comes to rewilding and regenerating woodlands.
According to new findings by environmental charity Friends of the Earth, in partnership with Rewilding Britain, there are 69,598 acres of potential natural regeneration in Cornwall, making it the largest local authority in England for any rewilding projects.
Nationally more than a million acres of new tree cover could be created simply by letting existing woodland regenerate and spread.
Natural regeneration is the process by which trees self-seed through wind-blown seed dispersal or where animals like jays and squirrels bury nuts which then germinate. The benefit is that it naturally occurs, but is often disrupted by grazing livestock and deer eating the saplings.
New mapping, carried out by Tim Richards from TerraSullis on behalf of the two organisations, shows that allowing existing broadleaved woodlands in England to self-seed by 150 metres on all sides – excluding nature reserves, priority habitats and productive farmland – would produce a million acres of new woodland. The analysis also identified the local authority areas with greatest potential for natural woodland regeneration, which include Cornwall, Harrogate and Northumberland.
The research comes as England is one of Europe’s least wooded countries. Evidence from Friends of the Earth shows there is more than enough suitable land to double England’s tree cover, without affecting precious habitats such as peatlands or valuable farmland. Current rates of woodland creation in England remain at historically low levels, with just over 5,000 acres (2,000 hectares) established this past year, mostly through planting.
Mike Childs, head of research at Friends of the Earth, said: “Doubling the UK’s tree cover should be a government priority, this is because the benefits are clear to see. It will help to restore nature and absorb climatewrecking carbon emissions. By enabling woodlands to flourish, we can also reduce the UK’s dependence on timber imports in a further win for the planet.
“Natural regeneration puts us well on the way to that goal in England. By substantially increasing funding for farmers and other landowners so they can set aside suitable land for natural woodland regeneration, we can let nature work its magic.”
Friends of the Earth believe that rewilding areas of Cornwall is not only good for the environment and wildlife but could also help create some 6,860 green jobs in the Duchy by 2030.
Last year Cornwall Council announced its Forest for Cornwall initiative which is an ambitious tree planting project that would cover approximately 8,000 hectares which is about 2% of Cornwall’s land area.
Guy Shrubsole, policy and campaigns coordinator at Rewilding Britain, said: “This new study confirms that natural regeneration has a huge role to play in helping meet woodland creation goals, draw down carbon and help wildlife to recover.
“Allowing trees to self-seed leads to more biodiverse woodland and scrub habitat than if they are simply planted, and supports many threatened species of plants, birds and mammals. By working with nature, it helps resolve the problem of growing the ‘right tree in the right place’ – and does so at lower overall cost, because you don’t have to pay for saplings.”