Written question WQ83404
- Asked by
- Andrew RT DaviesConservative
- To be answered by
- Minister for Climate Change
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 6 days
Question
Will the Minister specify where trees must be planted, what species the trees must be, and how old trees have to be in order to be counted in the Welsh Government’s planting targets, as well as within the National Forest?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Climate Change
Our woodland creation target applies to any new area of woodland planted in Wales. The Woodland Opportunities Map provides a guide to the areas most suited to new woodland creation.
Woodland creation targets are measured by the national statistics on woodland creation produced by Forest Research. The definition of woodland in UK forestry statistics is land under stands of trees with a canopy cover of at least 20% (or having the potential to achieve this), including integral open space, and including felled areas that are awaiting restocking. There is no minimum age for trees. Woodland includes both native and non-native trees; semi-natural and plantation areas. There is no minimum height for trees to form a woodland at maturity, so the definition includes woodland scrub but not areas with only shrub species such as gorse or Rhododendron.
Woodlands which form part of the National Forest must demonstrate the six National Forest outcomes: good quality, well designed and managed resilient woodlands; woodlands accessible to people; community involvement in woodlands; connected woodlands; dynamic, multi-purpose woodlands and trees; and woodlands that demonstrate learning, research and innovation.