Forestry and woodlands

The CLA has a launched a forestry and woodlands policy - laying out its vision of what the forests and woodlands of England and Wales should be like in just over 40 years’ time.

It is a vision of trees valued by all, mitigating climate change, producing biomass for fuel, and, where pragmatic, usurping concrete, brick and steel as building materials.  It is also a vision of forest managers as carbon traders, and of greater public and private investment going into the planting of trees, and of timber production delivering eco-system services. 

How could this ideal become a reality For a start, Government needs to value the contribution forestry and woodland make to the landscape, biodiversity, and water and carbon management. It should understand the role that trees could play in mitigating climate change. Government must learn that tree planting and effective woodland management are legitimate ways of carbon-offsetting, and that growing trees is an industry and needs to be financially viable.

What is certain is that if woodland management does not become profitable, it will die. There is already a decline in skilled staff in forestry and a lack of job opportunities. And if woodland is under-managed, it can make no financial return to its owners, conservation work cannot take place, and climate change mitigation will be held back. Government needs to grasp and reverse this spiral of decline.

Woodland could offer a wonderful range of environmental services if only a market could be developed to make this financially viable for owners. The wood fuel market for heat should also be encouraged by Government by providing incentives for the installation of boilers and support for the wood fuel supply chain.

For the CLA’s vision to come true, the regulations governing forestry and woodland management must be reviewed by Government.  Presently they are geared up to curbing excessive cutting and deforestation. Yet the greatest threat to woodland and its biodiversity is a lack of thinning and management.

Finally, Government needs to recognise the important role that country pursuits, such as shooting, play in the financial success of woodland and the overall conservation of wildlife.  It must accept that the size of populations of species such as the grey squirrel and deer should be managed for the good of woodland and wildlife alike.

The CLA will work vigorously in partnership with other woodland bodies to persuade Government to help landowners to deliver this bold vision for the forestry and woodlands of England and Wales.

» Seeing the Wood for the Trees: CLA Forestry and Woodland Vision and Policy - 2Mb

» Press release on the Seeing the Wood for the Trees launch

Links to external websites

Woodland Heritage

Mike Seville – Forestry and Woodlands Adviser

Advises on aspects of forestry and woodland management including grants, regulation, marketing and utilisation, timber transport, non-timber forest products, wood fuel, biodiversity, carbon sequestration, plant health, deer and squirrels.

Phone: 020 7235 0511
FAX: 020 7235 4696
Email mike.seville@cla.org.uk