Tree planting pledge needs root and branch changes, say experts

A TORY manifesto promise to plant 11million trees by 2020 is set to be missed by a vast margin, according to new official figures released this week.

A report by the Forestry Commission found that fewer than 2.5million trees have been planted since the pledge was made at the 2015 election.

That means the rate of planting would have to double if the Government is to have any chance of hitting its manifesto promise. Green campaign-

‘With progress so painfully slow, it’s time to stop talking about it and create a clear strategy’

ers attacked the planting scheme as “painfully slow” and called for a new strategy. However. Government figures pointed to an increase in tree planting in recent months.

The Tory election manifesto in 2015 said: “We will ensure that our public forests and woodland are kept in trust for the nation and plant another 11million trees.” The promise was repeated in this year’s manifesto.

However, two years into that fiveyear period, just 2,283,000 trees have been planted, according to the Forestry Commission. The statistics will pile pressure on Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary, who is now responsible for achieving the target.

Doug Parr, Greenpeace’s UK chief scientist, said: “Michael Gove’s support for this manifesto pledge is evident but with progress on the ground so painfully slow, it’s time to stop talking about it and instead create a clear strategy to deliver it.”

He added: “Trees can help deliver a whole suite of public benefits simultaneously by absorbing climate-warming CO2, helping to combat air pollution in towns and cities, contributing to flood prevention by trapping more water on hilltops and slowing run-offs, and providing habitats for wildlife.”

A Forestry Commission spokesman said: “New woodland planting has increased by nearly 60 per cent since last year and we will continue to support landowners to grow this. We have made it easier to apply for our woodland creation grant schemes and are also encouraging large-scale planting through the £19million Woodland Carbon Fund.”