The UK government has unveiled the Western Forest, a new national forest project that will see 20 million trees planted across regions including Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, and Somerset, as well as urban centres like Bristol and Swindon. According to the BBC, the scheme aims to create 2,500 hectares of new woodland and increase canopy cover to at least 20% by 2050, with some areas targeting 30%. This is the first of three new forests planned to help meet England’s goal of 16.5% woodland cover by mid-century, up from just 10% today.

…the scheme aims to create 2,500 hectares of new woodland and increase canopy cover to at least 20% by 2050

While the initiative has been welcomed, conservationists stress that tree-planting efforts must ramp up to meet UK-wide targets of 30,000 hectares annually. Most recent planting figures fall short, with England contributing only 5,500 hectares last year, while Scotland led the way. As noted by the Woodland Trust and Forest of Avon Trust, long-term funding and strategic urban planting will be crucial for success, especially amid public spending pressures.