Planting rates fall in Northern Ireland ahead of UK-wide figures

Nearly 100 fewer hectares of new woodland were created during the 2022/23 planting season than in the same period the previous year. 

With just 451 ha planted (down from 540 ha), it fell well short of NI's target of 900 ha that had been set for both years.

Forestry bosses in the country have pledged to address the drop, establishing a stakeholder group to look into why a number of planting projects failed to meet grant scheme requirements. 

Stuart Goodall, chief executive of industry body Confor, said: “Northern Ireland was perhaps the ‘star performer’ of the UK nations last year with a big step forward to achieving its planting target.

"It’s disappointing that this year numbers have gone down, and while I welcome DAERA’s stated commitment to work with the sector to identify and address the reasons for the continuing shortfall I would urge them to aim high as the pattern across the UK is one of underachievement.

"As always, Confor is ready to provide constructive input to discussions on how to push on and meet planting targets which are such a vital part of tackling climate change.”

READ MORE: Forest Research woodland statistics: UK misses annual tree-planting targets again

In recent years, afforestation levels had risen in NI from 200 ha in 2020 to 540 in 2022, making it second only to Scotland in terms of how close it came to its annual target.

Across the UK, planting rates have stagnated, with 13,840 ha of new woodland created in the 12 months prior to the end of March last year, well short of the 30,000 manifesto pledge of the Conservative government. Confor has been among those to call for ministers to do more to get planting back on track, especially in Scotland where it has repeatedly fallen since the turn of the decade. 

When woodland damaged by winter storms (such as Arwen) is taken into account, the net gain is also likely to be significant lower. Arwen, which swept through the UK in late November 2021, is understood to have led to the loss of around 12,000 ha of woodland alone. 

NI's planting was weighted heavily against coniferous species (stock image for illustrative purposes only) (Image: Archant)

NI's recent planting was weighted greatly in favour of broadleaves, with 379 ha of broadleaf woodland planted compared to just 72 ha of conifers. 

A spokesperson for DAERA said: “Forest Service can confirm that 451 hectares of new woodlands were planted in 2022/23 and 540 hectares in 2021/22. 

"It is encouraging to note, under the Forests for Our Future programme, an increased level of landowner interest in afforestation from the previous five year period, which averaged around 250 hectares annually. 

"Forest Service and the Department are committed to further increase the annual rate of planting in line with the Climate Change Committee recommendations." 

Stuart Goodall urged forestry bosses to do more

The spokesperson added: "We have established a stakeholder group to help address reasons that lead to a number of proposed planting projects failing to meet environmental and grant scheme requirements, or successful applications not being progressed by landowners. 

"The Department has also commenced work on developing new grant schemes, for 2024 and beyond, aimed at attracting increased landowner interest in establishing woodlands.” 

Forest Research is likely to publish UK-wide planting figures this month.