There have been several scientific studies arguing that, whilst planting trees in the tropics can act to reduce global temperatures, creating woodland in temperate (i.e. closer to the poles) regions can actually increase global warming.
These studies, based on computer models, rely on an effect known as albedo, which basically relates to the colour of the Earth’s surface.
The argument runs that tree cover effectively darkens temperate regions, making them absorb more of the sun’s energy than would happen under, for example, snow cover.
Whilst the albedo effect might be relevant in some areas that experience significant annual snowfall, such as Scandinavia, it is unlikely to be important in the UK.
Many of the areas within the UK that have the highest snowfall are not suitable for tree planting in any case. Those areas where we do create woodland see little snow now, largely as a result of global warming.
Trees also grow faster in the Tropics than they do at higher latitudes. However, there are many reasons to plant trees other than simply to accumulate carbon. The UK's wildlife can only benefit from trees planted in the UK: many of the worst impacts of climate change, such as increased frequency of flooding, can also be mitigated through strategic woodland creation.
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