New woodland statistics cast doubt on Government’s ability to halt nature’s decline by 2030

Woodland Trust responds to statistics published today by the Forestry Commission.

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 publication of the Forestry Commission’s Key Performance Indicators Report for 2021-22, and Provisional Woodland Statistics 2022, show concerning trends.

• Government is lagging behind its target to create new woodland in England. 1,980 ha of new native woodland has been established in the last year, bringing the total to 7,150 ha since 2019. Given Government has set a target for 30,000 ha of new woodland in England by 2024, this leaves over 20,000 ha still to be planted in the next two years
• Only just over a third [36.2%] of SSSI woodland in England is in favourable condition.
• Work to restore irreplaceable ancient woodland damaged by historic commercial forestry remains very limited. Despite welcome recent commitments from Government, only 19ha are recorded as being in restoration during 2021-22, a decrease on the already low figure [67ha] for 2020-21
• Wildlife that rely on woodland continue to struggle. Woodland specialist birds continue their long-term decline, down 14% since 2010
• The steady influx of new tree disease threats is continuing. There is confirmation that 4 new diseases have become established in the UK in the last 5 years and of the 14 identified high priority forest pests, 8 are currently present in England, including ash dieback.

In response, the Woodland Trust has called on Government to take more action to support the role of native trees and woods in delivering nature recovery. Among the policy measures the Trust is calling for are:

• Long-term support for woodland management to increase the percentage in good or improving condition
• New Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) to re-introduce meaningful grant support for planted ancient woodland (PAWS) restoration, and provide programmes of high-quality outreach and advice
• No rowing back on swift transition to and full funding of ELMS
• The planned GB Plant Biosecurity Strategy must focus on properly resourcing efforts to stop the import of pests and diseases at the border and include a commitment to driving an increase in the number of trees planted with public money to be sourced and grown in the UK and Ireland.

Scottish Forestry were able to report more positive news.  Planting statistics in Scotland reveal that native targets have been met and exceeded. Arina Russell, public affairs manager for the Woodland Trust in Scotland, said:

“We're delighted the target set for native woodland expansion has been met and exceeded. We want to see the Scottish Government go even further and set increased targets in the upcoming Biodiversity Strategy. These need to be for quality native woodland expansion but also for restoration of existing native woods.

“Today’s figures clearly show targets can be met. We now need to go further and faster.”

In April 2021 the Woodland Trust published its State of Woods and Trees report that examined in detail the woeful state of the UK’s woodlands. It found that although woodland cover was gradually increasing, woodland wildlife was decreasing. Just 7% of the country’s native woodlands were considered to be in a good ecological condition. 

Notes to editors

For more details about this release contact Natalie Stephenson, senior PR officer at the Woodland Trust on 0343 7705795 or email nataliestephenson@woodlandtrust.org.uk

About the Woodland Trust

The Woodland Trust is the largest woodland conservation charity in the UK. It has over 500,000 supporters. It wants to see a UK rich in native woods and trees for people and wildlife.

The Trust has three key aims:

1. protect ancient woodland which is rare, unique and irreplaceable
2. restoration of damaged ancient woodland, bringing precious pieces of our natural history back to life
3. plant native trees and woods with the aim of creating resilient landscapes for people and wildlife.

Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 29,000 hectares. Access to its woods is free so everyone can benefit from woods and trees.

Condition of our most scientifically important woodlands

• Following eight years of decline, there has been a modest improvement (+5%) in the amount of SSSI woodland in unfavourable recovering condition
• However, only 36.2% SSSI woodland in England is in favourable condition
• Ammonia pollution from intensive livestock farming remains one of the biggest threats to woodland condition.

Woodland birds

• Woodland birds have declined by 28.7% since recording began in 1970
• The decline for species that are highly dependent on woodland habitats has been even sharper with the number and variety falling 14% since 2010
• Species such as bullfinch, tawny owl and willow tit are among those most affected.  

PAWS restoration

• Across the UK, 50% of irreplaceable ancient woodland is being damaged by conifer plantations and / or rhododendron ponticum  
• For privately owned Ancient Woodland being damaged by historic commercial forestry plantation, only 19 ha is recorded in restoration in 2021-22
• Recent Government commitments to restoring all PAWS sites on the Public Forest Estate and bringing majority of PAWS in England into restoration by 2030 are a very positive step
• Ancient woodland is one of our most diverse terrestrial habitats and restoring more PAWS sites would provide a boost to threatened native wildlife.

Tree disease

• In the past year, two new tree pests and diseases have been imported into the UK. Of the 14 identified high priority forest pests, 8 are currently present in England
• International trade in plants is a major pathway for inadvertently introducing pests and diseases. If they become established, new tree diseases can have a devastating impact on native tree species
• Ash dieback (caused by the fungus Hymenoscyphus fraxineus and confirmed in the UK in 2012) is predicted to lead to the loss of 80% of ash trees at a cost of £15bn with a devastating effect on species either highly or exclusively dependent on ash biodiversity (e.g. tawny pinion moth).

Woodland creation

• 1,980 ha of new woodland has been established in the last year, bringing the total to 7,150 ha since 2019
• Government has set a target for 30,000 ha of new woodland in England by 2024 and is development a long-term legal target for increasing tree cover from 14% to 17% by 2050
• Reaching this target must combine quantity with quality so new trees support nature and climate objectives together.