WELSH farmers are planting more trees on their farms, says the Woodland Trust – but more needs to be done.
New figures show a 133 per cent increase in the number of trees planted since 2010 but more are needed to meet the Welsh Government’s target to create 100,000 hectares of new woodland within 20 years.
More than 24 per cent of the tree planting in Wales last season involved the Woodland Trust as more farmers recognise the benefits of creating small areas of woodland on farms.
In 2010 the government launched the Glastir Woodland Creation scheme offering grants of up to £9,000 per hectare.
Jerry Langford, Wales director for Coed Cadw the Woodland Trust, said: “Wales is one of the least wooded countries in Europe and both farmers and the wider community can benefit hugely from tree planting.” But whilst these figures are going in the right direction, there is still a long way to go.”
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