Regenerating woodlands requires multiple approaches | Letters

Beccy Speight of the Woodland Trust, John Peatfield and Mary Smith respond to Isabella Tree's article about bringing back Britain's wildwoodsKnepp Estate is a good example of natural regeneration, but Isabella Tree's article (Bring back the wildwoods of Britain to fight climate change, 26 November) shows a lack of understanding regarding the Woodland Trust's own approach. The northern forest will see the planting of 50m trees but not in one "enormous plantation". It will be made up of a mosaic of different wooded habitats including planted woods, natural regeneration, commercial forestry, urban trees and existing ancient woodland, benefiting people and wildlife from Liverpool to Hull, as well as contributing to carbon storage.While natural regeneration is a strong approach for all the reasons outlined in the article (we are fans of scrub too!), it simply will not get us the increase we need in woodland in the UK. The northern forest area has tree cover of just 7.5% declining versus the European average of 38%. Where there is no natural seed source or a high deer population, planting trees with protection is sometimes the only solution, ensuring in excess of 80% survival. Continue reading...