From Condemning to Conserving: How Attitudes towards Trees Have Changed in the UK

Trees have been a vital part of the landscape in the UK for thousands of years. However, historically they were often viewed as an obstacle to development and progress. This perception has since shifted as we have come to understand the importance of trees for our environment, economy and society.

The Historical View of Trees in the UK

In the past, trees were viewed as obstacles to development in the UK. They were often seen as a nuisance, getting in the way of agriculture, industry and urbanisation. As a result, deforestation was widespread in the 18th and 19th centuries, with large swathes of woodland cleared to make way for farms, roads, and buildings.

The Industrial Revolution further accelerated the destruction of trees, as the demand for wood as fuel and raw material increased. Trees were cut down at an unprecedented rate, and vast areas of woodland were destroyed. This had a significant impact on the landscape, as well as the local wildlife and ecosystems that relied on trees for survival.

However, attitudes towards trees have since shifted. We now understand the crucial role that trees play in maintaining healthy ecosystems, reducing carbon emissions and providing a range of economic and social benefits. As a result, conservation efforts have increased, and the importance of trees is now widely recognised.

Overall, the historical view of trees in the UK was that they were a hindrance to development and progress. Deforestation was widespread, and trees were cut down at an unprecedented rate during the Industrial Revolution. However, attitudes towards trees have since shifted, and we now understand the crucial role they play in maintaining healthy ecosystems and reducing carbon emissions.

The Shift towards Conservation

Attitudes towards trees began to shift in the 20th century, as people began to recognise their importance for the environment and society. One significant development was the establishment of the Forestry Commission in 1919, which aimed to promote afforestation and increase the UK's woodland cover.

The environmental movement in the 1960s and 1970s also helped to raise awareness about the importance of trees for the planet. People began to recognise that trees played a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, mitigating climate change, and providing a range of social and economic benefits.

In response to these concerns, the Woodland Trust was established in 1972 to protect and restore woodlands in the UK. The organisation has since planted millions of trees, created new woodlands, and restored ancient woodlands that were at risk of being lost forever. The Woodland Trust has also played a significant role in educating people about the importance of trees and advocating for their protection.

The shift towards conservation has also been reflected in government policy. The UK government's 25-year environment plan, launched in 2018, aims to increase woodland cover to 12% of the UK's land area by 2060. The plan recognises the importance of trees for the environment, and the need to protect and restore woodlands to mitigate the impacts of climate change. (Woodland Cover Target)

The Current State of Trees in the UK

The current state of trees in the UK is a mixed picture. According to the latest data from the Forestry Commission, woodland cover in the UK is around 13.3%, which is an increase from 9.0% in 1980. (Woodland natural capital accounts: 2022) However, the UK currently has one of the lowest forest cover rates in Europe, at 13%, compared to a European average of 46% and a global average of 31%. (Why Should We Be Planting Trees in the UK?) While progress has been made, more needs to be done to increase woodland cover and meet the targets set out by the Climate Change Committee.

Climate change is a significant concern, with rising temperatures and changing weather patterns affecting the growth and survival of trees. Diseases, such as ash dieback and Dutch elm disease, also pose a significant threat to the UK's woodlands. Invasive species, such as the grey squirrel and rhododendron, can also have a negative impact on native trees and ecosystems.

Despite government pledges to boost woodland creation to tackle the climate and nature crises, tree planting rates are not significantly increasing. Provisional figures from government agency Forest Research show 13,840 hectares of new woods were created in the past year, largely in Scotland, up only marginally on the past few years. In England, where the Government has pledged to treble tree planting to 7,000 hectares a year by 2024 as part of climate and nature recovery efforts, only 2,260 hectares of new woodland were planted in 2021/2022. That is up slightly on the previous year, but down on 2019/2020, the figures show. This indicates that more needs to be done to meet the targets set out by the Climate Change Committee and increase woodland cover in the UK. (Tree planting rates static despite Government pledge to boost woodland creation)

To address these challenges and increase woodland cover in the UK, a range of initiatives are underway. The National Tree Planting Scheme, launched in 2020, aims to plant 30,000 hectares of trees per year by 2025. (Tree planting) The scheme will be funded by the government and involve a range of partners, including local authorities, landowners, and charities. Other initiatives include the creation of new community woodlands, the restoration of ancient woodlands, and the promotion of agroforestry - the practice of integrating trees into farmland. These initiatives aim not only to increase woodland cover but also to provide a range of social and economic benefits, such as improving air and water quality, enhancing biodiversity, and supporting sustainable land use. While progress has been made, continued efforts will be necessary to meet the targets set out by the Climate Change Committee and ensure the long-term health and sustainability of the UK's woodlands.

In conclusion, the shift from condemning trees to conserving them in the UK has been a long and complex journey. While the historical view of trees was that they were a hindrance to development, we now understand their crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems and mitigating the impacts of climate change. The establishment of the Forestry Commission, the environmental movement of the 1960s and 1970s, and the creation of the Woodland Trust have all played a significant role in promoting afforestation and protecting woodlands. However, trees in the UK still face a range of threats, and further action is needed to ensure their long-term health and resilience. The National Tree Planting Scheme and other initiatives aim to increase woodland cover and provide a range of social and economic benefits. It is essential that we continue to recognise the value of trees and take action to protect and conserve them for future generations.