Tree planting needs to happen quickly to save the environment

Government advisers have warned there is going to be a need for a significant rise in tree planting in the UK if other targets to cut carbon are not met.

The government have said they plan to increase forest cover to try and reach its goal of cutting all greenhouse emissions by 2050. To do this the committee on climate change recommend that 30,000 hectares of woodland should be planted annually (more than double the amount last year). However, if other carbon reduction targets are not met then the recommend 30,000 hectares of woodland will increase to 50,000 hectares.

Why should we be planting more trees?

Trees are like the lungs of the earth; they improve the earths air pollution and ‘urban heat’ which reduces health problems. Not only do they help improve our air quality trees help buffer against storms, safeguard water quality and protect soils in agricultural areas.

Air quality was expected to improve as more people switched to electric vehicles, but more trees are still needed to tackle the urban heat generated by buildings and concrete that absorb heat during the day and release carbon at night.

How many trees have we planted in the last few years?

Between 2010 and 2018 around 15 million trees have been planted across England using government funding. But rates vary widely across the country and many urban areas did not plant any new trees. More than a quarter were planted in just five areas – Northumberland, Stratford Upon-Avon, Eden, Carlisle and County Durham.

In Wales over the past 3 years more than 3 million trees were planted under the Glastir Woodland creation and plant schemes. For Scotland and Northern Ireland local authority level figures are not available.

What are we doing to encourage people to plant more trees?

To encourage people and landowners to plant more trees in the UK the government are offering funding schemes to try and promote planting projects.

Landowners in England can apply for up to £6,800 of funding per hectare of land for planting projects and another scheme providing £10m for 130,000 “urban trees” in towns and cities has been announced.

Tree planting needs to happen quickly to save the environment