You might have wondered what a tree champion is if you heard it in the news. The holder of this position is responsible for improving the outcomes of the nation’s urban and woodland trees. However, we can all be tree champions!
England is in serious trouble. We are harvesting the last oaks that were planted by Victorians, but we haven’t been able to plant enough to meet future needs. Our current solution is importing more oak from America and Europe. Quite simply, we are running out of oak.
The government had appointed a ‘tree champ’ to lead the campaign of planting 11 million trees, and protecting our forests, woodlands, and urban greenery.
Sir William Worsley is the current chairman of the National Forest Company. He was given a title and a difficult task. He also served as the former chief of the Country Land and Business Association which represented the interests of rural landowners and businesses.
The trees were once a key factor in our economic success. The Magna Carta had a large section dedicated to the rights of forestry, and oak trees played a vital role in our navy’s global empire. Timber from our land has been used to build millions of homes. The Forestry Commission, in fact, was formed after World War I to meet the demand for wood to build homes and provide employment for returning soldiers. For Timber Merchants London, visit Timbco
Currently, forests cover only 13% of the UK. It is a pitiful situation compared to Europe’s average of 30 percent. The rest of our timber needs must be imported because we don’t produce enough to meet them. Our woodlands have not been adequately protected from the intrusions of commercial properties built on them. Existing trees in danger or short supply are also not adequately protected. The plan to plant 11 million trees in rural areas and 1 million urban areas may seem daunting, but it is necessary.
Unfortunately, despite the incentives provided by the government, planting rates for new forests in England remain low. Commercially, tree-planting is not popular as long as land for farming and housing developments are so expensive.
The information about the UK’s forest coverage is sketchy and unreliable. The protection of ancient trees is minimal, whether on public or privately owned land. It is difficult to assess the success of this project without knowing what the current situation is.
