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The Mersey Forest Plan

Tree cover ambition

Did you know?

Over 900,000 tonnes of CO2 are sequestered by habitats across The Mersey Forest

A farmer pushing a wheelbarrow under trees, with cows in a field in the background

Why 30% tree cover? 

30% tree cover is a long-term ambition, which we can progressively and collectively work towards over an extended timescale, possibly centuries. This is a multi-generational endeavour. It is not a target to be achieved in the shorter term. Given the tree cover across our area is 13.7% in 2025, we aim to reach 14.6% to 15.2% tree cover by 2050. This reflects the national target to increase tree cover in England to 16.5% by 2050, with levels at 14.9% in 2025.

The ambition for 30% tree cover originates from the concept for England’s Community Forests in the early 1990s. At this time there was a perception of land surplus, with widespread vacant and derelict land following deindustrialisation in the 1980s. Furthermore, farmers were being incentivised to take productive agricultural land out of use through practices such as ‘set-aside’. In this context, new woodland was seen as a productive use of ‘spare’ land. 

Today, the idea of ‘spare’ land is no longer tenable. Many of the larger vacant and derelict land sites have already been transformed into new woodland, and land is under intense pressure, with housing needs and food security high on the agenda. However more trees are still necessary. They play a crucial role in tackling pertinent issues such as the nature and climate crises, underpin local economies, and improve our health and wellbeing. Moreover, it does not have to be an ‘either/or’ situation when it comes to increasing tree cover. Trees need to be integrated into, and used to improve, other land uses; creating an attractive setting for new housing and ensuring food security in the face of climate uncertainty.

Whilst 30% tree cover remains our long-term ambition, we have developed three scenarios of what we aim to reach by 2050. These scenarios are based on 30 years of experience, and reflect different factors that might influence our progress, such as funding, land availability, and national policy. The scenarios are presented for three confidence levels, reflecting how achievable we think they are: 

  • High confidence – 14.6% tree cover, establishing 100 hectares per year; 
  • Medium confidence – 14.9% tree cover, establishing 140 hectares per year;
  • Low confidence – 15.2% tree cover, establishing 175 hectares per year. 

 

The Mersey Forest Delivery Plan will set out 5-year targets against these scenarios, allowing us to adapt to changing circumstances and ensure we continue to make progress towards our long-term vision.