Woodland Trust Northern Ireland welcomes Tree Protection Bill
Communications officer
Woodland Trust Northern Ireland has welcomed a Private Members Bill submitted by Peter McReynolds MLA at Stormont.
This proposal for a Tree Protection Bill, submitted in July, aims to introduce dedicated legal protection for Northern Ireland’s oldest and most significant trees. As the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity, one of the Woodland Trust's core objectives is to protect these living legends.
The Bill seeks to strengthen the protection provided through Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs), create a new 'Heritage Tree' designation specifically to protect and support Northern Ireland’s oldest and most significant trees, and safeguard these heritage trees – along with ancient and long-established woodland – from permitted developments.
Our oldest and most significant trees are irreplaceable, yet many face a range of threats. One pressing concern is halting their loss to development and neglect, ensuring they can grow old securely without harm.
Additionally, local communities must take drastic action to save important trees in their areas, though most campaigns are unsuccessful. One notable case occurred in Newry in 2022, where a row of 200-year-old oak trees was felled despite significant opposition.
Public affairs manager for the Woodland Trust Northern Ireland, Paul Armstrong, said:
"Our systems for protecting important trees urgently need strengthening. We need improved laws to keep our oldest and most important trees safe.
"Given that Northern Ireland is one of the least wooded regions in Europe, with under 9% tree cover, and considering we’re facing a climate crisis and widespread biodiversity loss, we welcome this Private Members Bill to protect our most valuable and irreplaceable trees and woods.
"In recent years, much attention has been given to the importance of planting more trees. However, we also need to protect our existing trees and woodlands, as they store more carbon than newly planted ones and provide vital habitats for nature. Newly planted trees and woods take many years for ecosystems to fully develop. This need for protection is particularly pressing, given that Northern Ireland is ranked 12th-worst out of 240 countries for biodiversity loss.
"As well as protecting our oldest and most important trees, we must safeguard our remaining ancient and long-established woodlands from development. These woodlands are havens for wildlife, plant life and fungi, which are unique and crucial for maintaining our dwindling biodiversity. Ancient woods, which cover just 0.04% of Northern Ireland, are an increasingly rare and irreplaceable habitat. The soils and complex ecosystems within these centuries-old woodlands cannot be recreated or replaced. Once they are gone, they are lost forever."
Paul concluded: "Our oldest trees and woodlands are extremely scarce and vital for nature and climate so we must protect them. We hope that this new legislation will support people and communities to protect these living legends that they so value."
The Woodland Trust believes trees are natural treasures that deserve the same protection given to heritage buildings and endangered wildlife – some need ancient trees to survive.
Sign our Living Legends campaign to save our oldest and most important trees at: woodlandtrust.org.uk/livinglegends
Notes to editors
For media enquiries contact Glynis Watt on 07785316746 or glyniswatt@woodlandtrust.org.uk.
About the Woodland Trust
The Woodland Trust was established in 1972 and is now the UK's largest woodland conservation charity, with more than 500,000 members and supporters. With a vision of a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature, today the Trust owns and cares for more than 1,000 woodland sites, covering around 33,000 hectares.
The Woodland Trust has three key aims:
- protecting the UK's rare, unique and irreplaceable ancient woodland
- restoring damaged ancient woodland, nurturing precious pieces of our natural heritage back to life
- establishing new native trees and woods to create healthy, resilient landscapes for people and wildlife.
Access to all Woodland Trust woods is free so everyone can experience the physical and mental benefits of trees.