Tree Felling
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps is she taking to with the devolved Administrations to record the level of tree felling across the UK.
Answered by Mary Creagh
The Government recognises the importance of working collaboratively across the UK to support tree planting and ensure the long-term survival of our woodlands to safeguard their benefits for future generations. In 2024 we established the Tree Planting Taskforce which brings together ministers from across the four UK nations, to support and coordinate our work on trees.
The majority of tree felling in the UK is controlled through the issuing of felling licences issued by the Forestry Commission and the Devolved Administrations. These may be conditional, which include a requirement to replace the trees through replanting or regeneration, or unconditional where felling is approved without the requirement to replant.
Forest Research publishes statistics for Great Britain on the area of private sector woodland across Great Britain covered by unconditional felling licences in Forestry Statistics. Additionally, the Forestry Commission publishes statistics in the Forestry Commission Key Performance Indicators - GOV.UK on the total area of unconditional and conditional felling licences issued in England. These statistics are reported annually for each financial year in hectares.
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