Millions of conifers and non-native trees are to be felled during the next 20 years as part of an ambitious programme to restore England’s ancient woodland.
The radical plan “Keepers of time: a statement of policy for England’s ancient and native woodland” was launched by forestry minister Jim Knight and Forestry Commission chairman Lord Clark.
It will involve a major programme of tree felling and thinning in ancient woodlands converted to plantations in the last century, with native species such as oak, ash and beech being planted instead.
Critics say the proposal will mean some of Britain’s richest landowners being paid by the government to cut down trees they were paid to plant 30 years ago.
However, supporters say the public payments are not for chopping down trees but are a contribution towards replacing felled trees with native species.
Lord Clark said: “Our ancient and semi-natural woodlands are the jewels in the crown of English forestry, and protecting and enhancing them will now be a high priority.”
Meanwhile, the European Squirrel Initiative has warned that money spent on the new trees could be wasted unless something is done about the grey squirrels which damage woodland and bird populations.
England has 1.1 million ha of woodland, 340,000ha (30%) of which is ancient woodland. Of this, 140,000ha was converted to plantations during the 1900s.
