UK woodland creation rates decreasing, failing to meet government goals
14 August 2025
Key provisional stats
Some key provisional stats in this year’s report are:
- 16,000 hectares of new woodland was planted in 2024/25
- Scotland led on planting (54%), followed by England (37%), Wales (6%), and Northern Ireland (3%)
- There is 3.29 million hectares of woodland in the UK, representing 14% of land area
- 44% of UK woodlands are certified as sustainably managed
- 20% of wood used in the UK is locally grown, with the remaining 80% imported
Insights
This year’s provisional figures follow other recent reports which have urged the UK Government to act swiftly and decisively if it is to meet its tree-planting targets. Declining rates of planting and continuing to be behind on our goals threaten both the UK’s wood fuel market as demand grows, and also the UK’s ability to increase its supply of locally sourced wood.
The provisional statistics highlight a worrying trend: after almost 21,000 hectares were planted in 2023/24, new planting fell by 25% in this year’s figures, to just 15,700 hectares. Last year’s momentum hasn’t carried on to this season, and the gap has continued to widen, making the government’s ambitions even less likely.
Beyond the area of trees, the report also provides provisional figures of what’s being planted. Of the 15,700 hectares planted, 64% of trees were broadleaves. England in particular focused its planting on broadleaves – with 5,080 hectares of broadleaves just 680 hectares of conifers – compared to Scotland’s more balanced mix.
92% of new planting took place on private land, underscoring how investor confidence, clear direction, and grant design will be key for the UK to meet its targets and accelerate its efforts. Public programmes alone make up a comparatively small fraction of new planting, and whilst these are still important, the numbers needed for EIP goals to be met will rely on private land.
Full, in-depth figures are due to be released on 25 September 2025, and will supersede these statistics, allowing for a closer look.
Future improvements
A new UK-wide tree-planting taskforce, launched in late 2024, aims to accelerate progress and help meet ambitious government targets for woodland creation. Now that we have seen stalled improvements in the provisional statistics, the joined-up efforts are needed more than ever if we are to meet government’s goals. Expanding and managing woodlands sustainably – and ensuring these continue to be managed, plus more of our existing woodlands are sustainably managed – will support carbon capture, biodiversity, and a reliable, local wood fuel supply.
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