CREATING
forests from scratch
Planting trees to save the planet
The climate and ecological crises have exposed the need to reforest our landscapes on a dramatic scale. Landowners, government, charities and individuals are all looking to play their part.
We know we need to plant more trees, but how do you create a forest from scratch?
There is one overarching rule to follow, says Ian Gambles, Chief Executive of the Forestry Commission.
“You need to plant the right tree in the right place, for the right reasons.”
The Forestry Commission has a wealth of knowledge on the subject, having been creating and looking after forests for over 100 years.
Since we were formed in 1919, we have more than doubled tree cover across the UK.
We have planted more than two million acres of forest on public land and helped landowners create private woodlands across the country.
“We are in a climate crisis and we all have a responsibility to help decarbonise our society. Creating more forests is part of the solution, but we need to do it in a way that works for both people and nature. As well as planting trees, we must give nature space too. It’s a balance a well-designed forest really can achieve.”
Ian Gambles, Chief Executive, Forestry Commission
Today, Forestry England, an agency of the Forestry Commission, looks after 1,500 forests and woodlands for the nation. This accounts for around a third of all forests across the country.
Woodlands in the UK have been shaped by people
Even woodlands described as “ancient” were managed for fuel and timber in centuries gone by, which is different from old-growth forests elsewhere in the world.
Dalby Forest in North Yorkshire, Kielder Forest in Northumberland and Thetford Forest in East Anglia are just some of the public forests planted following the end of the First World War.
The National Forest, England’s 12 community forests and woodlands owned by Severn Trent and United Utilities were also planted over the past century.
Collectively, forest and woodland cover in England has increased from five percent to more than 10 percent over the last 100 years.
A mammoth task to increase that figure lies ahead. The government has committed to plant up to 30,000 hectares of trees per year, across the UK, by 2025.
People need to work together to help that ambition become reality.
"When you plant forests, you’re unlikely to see the trees grow to their full maturity in your lifetime.
Just like the first Forestry Commission workers did 100 years ago, and all others since then, we are planting today for the benefit of future generations.”
Ben Robinson, a forester working in Devon
Putting a plan in place
Creating forests takes careful consideration and a huge variety of different skills. To ensure a project has clear and agreed objectives and meets regulatory requirements, a woodland creation plan is developed.
Whether the land is private, or looked after by Forestry England, this tool sets out the long term vision for the forest.
It highlights possible opportunities and constraints – such as the potential for producing timber, the need to protect and enhance important habitats, historical and aesthetic features, and how the forest will be enjoyed by people.
Forest plans also examine how the woodland will contribute to water storage and flood alleviation. This is crucial to tackle increasingly extreme weather conditions linked with a changing climate.
For some new woodlands, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required before planting gets underway. In addition to woodland creation, an EIA is often mandatory when permanently deforesting land, building forest roads and planting in sensitive areas.
Importantly, the design plan should also consider eligibility criteria for funding available to landowners to bring their ideas to life.
Grants are currently open to landowners looking to plant new forests under the Woodland Carbon Fund, Countryside Stewardship Woodland Creation Grant and HS2 Woodland Fund, while there is also help available to develop the plan itself.
There is also a team of expert woodland creation officers that can use their wealth of planning experience to help landowners help make the right choices when it comes to planting and managing new woodland.
Woodland creation in action
Self-proclaimed ‘city boy’ David Harding has planted an 11 acre woodland of more than 18,000 trees to benefit future generations.
Avon Wood in Warwickshire is made up of 23 tree and 7 shrub species including oak, hornbeam, alter, beech and lime.
David's 11 year old son motivated him to plant the woodland, which was supported by the HS2 Woodland Fund.
David had considered planting the trees himself. However, after speaking with a chartered forester, he was signposted towards grants and support via the Forestry Commission.
“For a novice like me…professional help is vital. I couldn’t have done the design or project managed the application process on my own.
I didn’t realise how important rides and glades were to biodiversity, but these are an integral part of the design. I’m on a learning curve as to how to manage these as the trees grow.”
David Harding, woodland owner, Avon Wood
Rushy Knowe is a 145 hectare site of rough agricultural land in Kielder Forest. With support from the Woodland Carbon Fund it is being transformed into a mixed woodland to produce timber, support wildlife and give visitors spectacular views over Kielder Water.
The project reflects the contemporary multi-purpose policies of Forestry England, which is planting more diverse forests today. In decades gone by, foresters tended to plant only a handful of species that grew quickly and provided a better timber yield.
“Rushy Knowe is a modern-day, well-designed site that will produce timber, while giving nature a big helping hand. The design plan will also make sure the forest is even more accessible to visitors”, says forester Ian Green, who is looking after the planting.
“This involves creating a mosaic of habitats including open glades and peatlands to support wildlife, and giving visitors sweeping views over Kielder Water.”
The woodland is being planted with a wide variety of conifer and broadleaf trees, including species that have been selected in response to the changing climate. They include trees suited to warmer conditions, such as Serbian spruce and western red cedar.
“A more diverse forest is a more resilient forest”, adds Green. “Sometimes, it’s easier for us to decide what to plant. For example, whether the tree might grow quickly, the kind of timber we're looking to produce, if it will provide a particular habitat for wildlife, or improve the look of the landscape.”
“But a big consequence of climate change is that the future is unpredictable. One of the best forms of defence is to plant a broad variety of species. This will give the woodland the best chance of staying healthy for nature, and for producing timber as well.”
13 species of broadleaf trees are being planted at Rushy Knowe. They include wild cherry, sessile oak, aspen and willow.
10 species of conifer being planted include noble fir, Macedonian pine and Norway spruce.
Seeing the bigger picture
In addition to withstanding shifting climatic conditions, more diverse forests are better equipped to resist threats posed by tree pests and diseases.
Increased global trade in recent decades has seen a dramatic spike in the number of exotic pests and pathogens entering the UK. Today, 19 are considered high priority and are causing damage to our trees, while a warmer, wetter climate will only heighten the risk.
While selecting the right kind of trees to plant is paramount, there are also a few other things to consider.
All the characteristics of a site and its surroundings are considered in detail and as a whole. The forest design process looks into its relationship within the wider landscape, to neighbours, to landform and the threat from local populations of browsing mammals like deer, which may dictate what and where you can plant.
The make-up and condition of the soil and water availability is extremely important.
Not only do different trees respond to different soil types, research shows that mineral soils have a better carbon sequestration rate than peaty soils. The soil in which you plant your trees can be just as important as the species of tree you select.
As well as considering geography and geology, forest planners will also study weather patterns including the Wind Hazard Classification of a particular site, to assess its risk to wind blow.
While you always consider the same elements when creating a forest, there’s no such thing as a one-sized-fits-all approach. Every area of land is different, from the topography to the soils to the biodiversity. Bringing together experts who understand all these factors is how we create healthy, multi-purpose forests that will endure for generations.
Seal of approval
The UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) sets out the UK government's principles for sustainable forest management, and is based on a number of internationally agreed criteria. This standard makes sure that woodland creation and management has a positive impact on the environment and that biodiversity, soil, water, people and the historic environment are protected. By meeting the requirement of UKFS woodland owners show that their activities are legal and sustainable.
Woodland creation plans must be approved as UKFS compliant in order to access grant funding from the Forestry Commission.
“Forestry standards are a fundamental part of good woodland management.
By following these guidelines, we ensure our forests are full of life, while being enjoyed by people and producing timber as well. When we plant forests, we have an unbound duty to look after them to benefit all life on earth.”
Neville Geddes, Environment Planning Manager, Forestry England
We are England's biggest land manager and custodian of the nation's forests. Find out more information about the nation's forests, cycling, family days out, live music, arts, education, volunteering and buying timber from us.
We are the government department in England responsible for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woodlands. Find out more information on grants, felling licenses, forestry policy, tree planting and woodland management.
We are Great Britain’s leading organisation for forestry and tree research, internationally renowned for evidence and scientific services in sustainable forestry. Find out more information on forestry research, publications, resources and services to the industry.
Built with Shorthand