UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The UK government faces backlash for prioritising tree planting over natural regeneration, risking woodland creation targets, campaigners warn.
As reported by The Guardian, environmental campaigners say ministers are neglecting natural tree growth in England, favouring planting initiatives instead.
Only 5% of the Forestry Commission’s funding for new woodlands has been directed toward natural regeneration, with 95% supporting planting efforts.
Guy Shrubsole’s views on tree planting vs. natural regeneration
Guy Shrubsole, an environmental campaigner who received the data under freedom of information laws, stated,
“Tree planting has its place, but right now the incentives are skewed far too much in favour of planting over natural regeneration. Ministers need to change these ridiculous rules if they want to stand any chance of meeting their targets for woodland creation.”
He added,
“Trees are perfectly capable of self-seeding: after all, they’ve been doing so for millions of years. Whilst tree planting certainly has its place, we could have far richer, more natural forests if only we properly supported farmers and landowners to let trees naturally regenerate.”
What did the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs say about woodland creation and tree planting
A spokesperson from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs stated,
“We are committed to increasing woodland creation – it’s why we are investing £400m into tree planting, have announced the first new national forest in 30 years and provide woodland creation grants. Whilst we recognise the benefits natural colonisation can bring, land managers are best placed to decide what woodland creation measures are most appropriate for their site.”
How the England’s woodland creation offer support for tree planting over natural regeneration?
The England Woodland Creation Offer is a government scheme managed by the Forestry Commission, providing grants to landowners and farmers in England to boost tree planting and growth initiatives.
The program, which started in May 2021, has facilitated just 501 hectares (1,238 acres) of natural regeneration, compared to 8,642 hectares of new woodlands established through tree planting.
The rules of the EWCO limit funding by requiring natural regeneration to occur within 75 meters of an existing tree. However, studies suggest that woodland birds are capable of carrying acorns over distances ranging from 1 kilometre to 6 kilometres (0.6 to 3.7 miles).
In 2021, the government added a “natural colonisation” option to the EWCO grant scheme. This offers funding for landowners and farmers to establish fenced areas, protecting trees from grazing and enabling self-seeding.
The Forestry Commission said the plan to create woodland through planting or natural regeneration is made by the land manager.
Number of trees in the UK
- Estimated total trees: Around 3.2 billion trees
- Tree cover: Approximately 13% of the UK’s land area is covered by woodland
- England: ~1.5 billion trees (10% tree cover).
- Scotland: ~1.7 billion trees (19% tree cover).
- Wales & Northern Ireland: ~300 million trees combined (~15% and 9% tree cover, respectively).
- Only 2.4% of the UK is covered by ancient woodland
- Britain to plant 30,000 hectares of new trees annually by 2025
- Urban trees: Cities like London have an estimated 8.4 million trees