Woodland Trust response to government provisional woodland statistics 2026

The government published provisional UK statistics on areas of woodland, certified woodland, planting and the Woodland Carbon Code on Thursday 25 June 2026. 

In response to the statistics, the Woodland Trust’s head of conservation policy, Andy Egan, said: 

“Planting and caring for woods and trees are a critical part of our national response to the changing climate. The new figures show the government needs to continue its investment in tree planting, but it is equally crucial it devises a plan for caring for the trees we already have, particularly our irreplaceable, but damaged, ancient woodlands. 

“The worrying element of today’s data is the chasm between the government’s target for restoring ancient woodland on private land, and its lamentable progress. They have achieved less than 1% of their own target. With plantations on ancient woodland (PAWs) making up 13% of all woodland in England, to help tackle the climate and nature crises it is vital that the government devises a plan to hit its PAWs restoration target, and matches investment in new planting with investment in restoring and caring for the ancient woodland we already have. The new England Tree Action Plan due to be published later this year provides the perfect opportunity to do this. 

“Today’s tree planting figures offer us some insights, but what they don’t show are the transformative effects of tree planting schemes on urban neighbourhoods, where they are already reducing temperatures and improving people’s health and wellbeing. Also hidden behind this data are breathtaking stories of nature and wildlife coming back from the brink across landscapes like Snaizeholme in Yorkshire, and the economic benefits and improved food security generated by trees being integrated into UK farms.”