From Defra

Overview

This consultation will inform a new England Tree Strategy which we will publish later this year. The strategy will set out policy priorities to deliver our ambitious tree planting programme. It will focus on expanding, protecting and improving our woodlands, and how trees and woodlands can connect people to nature, support the economy, combat climate change and recover biodiversity. This will ensure that trees are established and managed for the many benefits they provide for people, the economy, the climate and nature itself.

Why We Are Consulting

We want your views on how we can significantly increase tree establishment and woodland creation to support nature recovery, clean growth and the commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. We also want your views on how we can protect existing trees and woodland, bring more woodlands into management, use them to support the economy, and engage more people with trees and woodlands.

Rewilding Britain has criticised the lack of ambition, claiming it “fails to set any tree targets, and at best would raise English woodland cover from 10% today to just 12% by 2050. With Britain one of Europe’s least wooded countries, the current proposal is woefully inadequate.”

Rewilding Britain is calling for measures in the England Tree Strategy to:

1. Double woodland cover to at least 26% by 2030 for the benefit of people, nature and climate
2. Support natural regeneration as the default approach
3. Raise and integrate investment in woodland regeneration from public and private financing

Read more here.