Ancient woodlands get conservation boost

The UK’s ancient woodlands will receive extra protection under a newly announced Government forestry strategy, it has been revealed. The new approach places native and ancient woodlands at the centre of England’s forestry policy, and looks to combat the various threats they face in order to reverse decline.

The woodlands, which are often small and fragmented, are under threat from a range of issues such as competition from non-native species, overgrazing by livestock, agricultural pollution and poor management.

"Native and ancient woodlands make up around half of England's total woodland area and are home to some of our rarest wildlife, provide excellent educational and recreation opportunities, and are a source of hardwood timber and other renewable resources," said Forestry Minister Jim Knight. "We need a strong policy framework to ensure ancient woodland, veteran trees and other native woodlands are adequately protected, sustainably managed, and provide a wide range of social, environmental and economic benefits to our communities."

As part of the new strategy, millions of non-native trees will be systematically removed from the landscape and replaced with native species such as oak, ash and beech, over a period of around twenty years.

Lord Clark, Chairman of the Forestry Commission 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.”