Gove: Tree planting rates have not been good enough

Environment Secretary Michael Gove has given a strong indication that the Government’s 25 year plan for the environment, due in the New Year, will tackle the issue of woefully low tree planting. Speaking at the Woodland Trust’s parliamentary launch on Wednesday (December 6) of a series of essays outlining its vision for a post Brexit […]
Christmas tree growers mark festive season at Downing Street

Two award-winning Christmas Tree businesses last night played a very special role in the start of the festive season, at the Prime Minister’s official residence. Oxfordshire’s Tree Barn and Guildford’s Santa Fir took part in the lights ‘switch on’ at Downing Street, in recognition of their trees, and a wreath, being chosen to feature at […]
Downing Street Christmas tree crown announced for 2015

They travelled from the furthest corners of the UK and have spent a decade nurturing their perfect specimen – and today Britain’s best Christmas Tree growers went head to head in their national competition. Out of more than 100 entrants, British Christmas Tree Growers’ Association member Andrew Ingram was declared the winner of the Champion […]
Downing Street Tree victor declared

For Christmas Tree growers the length and breadth of the UK, it’s the single most important honour of the year – who will get to have their tree stand proud in Downing Street over the festive season? Today that decision was declared, when British Christmas Tree Growers’ Association member Colin Griffith was named winner of […]
Christmas tree growers bid for Downing Street victory

Christmas tree growers from around the UK are bidding for the chance to present the tree which will take pride of place at the official residence of the Prime Minister this festive season. Over 100 growers will take part in a national competition organised by the British Christmas Tree Growers’ Association on Thursday 23rd October […]
Farmers set to discover how trees can grow their business

An event is being held for farmers to demonstrate how trees can grow their business by improving the health and wellbeing of their livestock. Experts from the farming industry are set to provide practical advice and discuss how the productivity of dairy, beef and sheep farming systems can be enhanced by planting trees and managing […]
Planting 200 million trees could generate £500 million annually

More than 200 million new trees should be planted in Britain according to researchers at the University of East Anglia (UEA). A new report published today reveals that converting almost 7,000 km2 of land (an area larger than the size of Cumbria) to forest could generate an income of £500 million annually. But careful consideration […]
Trees must feature in long-term local flood defence strategies

The Government needs to focus on long-term investment to mitigate the risk of future flooding, as well as allocating funding for just short-term defence strategies. Today the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee released a statement calling for the Government to take action now to prevent the repeat of the devastation caused by winter […]
Government fails to meet its tree planting targets

New statistics from the Forestry Commission released today show the rate of tree planting is far lower than is needed to meet Government targets – despite efforts by landowners who applied for woodland creation grants last year. Just 3,300 hectares of new woodland was planted in England in the 2013-14 planting season – an increase […]