The Government has launched a consultation on ways to accelerate tree planting in an effort to combat the biodiversity and climate crises.

The new strategy will set out policies to expand tree cover, support woodland management and increase public engagement with trees and woodlands.

It will help ensure the Government’s tree planting commitment to increase tree planting to 30,000 hectares per year across the UK by 2025 is delivered.

The consultation will ask for views on how to expand, protect and improve our public and private trees and woodlands.

It will also ask for views on the increased role that trees and woodlands can play in supporting the economy and how best to further connect people to nature.

It is also looking at the most effective way in which trees and woodlands can be created and managed to help combat climate change.

Launching the consultation, forestry minister Lord Goldsmith, said: ‘In many ways the coronavirus pandemic has shone a light on the importance of nature.

‘Growing and protecting our nation’s forests will be an integral part of our recovery, and the England Tree Strategy will give us the tools to do this.

‘This consultation will help inform a keystone strategy which will be vital for helping us deliver the government’s tree planting commitment, our commitment to the recovery of nature and reaching net zero emissions by 2050.

‘But, we need input from the sector and public. I encourage everyone to give their views to design a tree strategy that delivers the maximum benefits for our environment for generations to come.’