Rewilding: Allow trees to plant themselves to boost biodiversity and sequester more carbon, report says

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Instead of tree planting programmes, conservationists should allow the natural regrowth of forests to become the “default approach” to improving the natural world, a major new report urges. “Doubling the cover of woodland and 'woodland in the making' from 13 per cent to at least 26 per cent by 2030 is achievable partly through a rapid expansion of the area where young woodlands are regenerating and growing into the natural forests and wildwoods of the future,” the report says. “Our National Parks and public lands should lead the way by establishing a mosaic of regenerating forest and woodland habitats at all scales alongside wetland, grassland, scrub and non-woodland trees.” Rebecca Wrigley, chief executive of Rewilding Britain said: “We can’t replace our lost woodlands by planting alone. Protecting ancient woodland fragments, and allowing and assisting trees to naturally regenerate on a big scale, is the most effective way of reversing the sorry fortunes of our crippled forests and woodlands, and so benefiting people, nature and the climate.” “Letting trees and shrubs naturally regrow over much of their former landscapes – with a helping hand where needed, such as preparing the ground when necessary or sowing tree seeds when naturally available seed sources are too far away – would create woodlands better able than plantations to soak up carbon dioxide, support wildlife, and adapt to a changing climate.” She added: “Costs and management, imported tree diseases, and plastic tree guards would all be reduced.” The report’s authors said there remained good arguments for planting trees, as they can boost local seed sources and enrich biodiversity where it is lacking.