Concerns over lack of new UK woodland planting

The amount of new woodland created in the UK dropped last year, despite pressure from politicians to increase planting to tackle climate change and help wildlife, according to figures.

The Woodland Trust described the fall in the amount of woodlands planted as "truly worrying", and also warned that trees in hedgerows and fields were being lost as old trees die or are felled and are not replaced.

The figures from the Forestry Commission showed the total area of new planting in the UK in the past year was 5,400 hectares, of which 5,000 hectares (90 per cent) were broadleaf trees.

In addition, 15,100 hectares were "restocked" - replanted after trees were harvested - mostly with conifers.

According to the Woodland Trust, the figure for new planting was down on last year's 6,000 hectares and less than half the 12,000 hectares planted in 2004.

The woodland charity called for action to increase the amount of tree cover in the UK, claiming trees were a "highly cost effective" way of tackling major policy challenges of the new Government such as climate change.

Sue Holden, chief executive officer of the Woodland Trust, said: "These figures are truly worrying, but should be seen as a clarion call to us all to reverse the downward trend as a matter of urgency.

"Woods and trees are not a luxury but essential for our future quality of life.

"They are a key component in delivering a wide range of environmental benefits, such as carbon storage, air quality control, shade and shelter, surface flood water management and soil conservation, which are all the more pressing if we are to adapt to a rapidly changing climate.

"They also provide vital habitat for some of Britain's most important wildlife, produce home-grown timber and wood fuel, have a proven ability to alleviate human mental stress and specific physical health problems and enhance our landscape."

The Woodland Trust has called for a doubling of native woodland cover in the UK, which is currently one of the least wooded in Europe, over the next 50 years.