THE UK government must commit to supporting the country's tree nurseries in a bid to reduce timber imports. 

That's according to the Woodland Trust, which says relying on foreign wood increases the risk of introducing new pests and diseases, threatening the nation's existing woodlands. 

New statistics show that 128 million trees and shrubs were imported into the UK last year, up from 125 million the previous year – valued at £280 million.

Currently, the government – through Defra – provides funding for tree nurseries to help them grow more trees but the Woodland Trust says this support is due to end in early 2025. 

Rebecca Gosling, a tree health expert from the Woodland Trust, said: "Tree disease has devastating effects on not only our trees but also on our economy too. A recent study revealed that six introduced tree pests and pathogens alone cost the UK economy £920 million annually.

"Ash dieback was a disease brought into the country which has had a huge impact on ash woodlands in the UK, with mortality reaching 85 per cent of ash trees in some woodlands.

"And the latest forestry statistics show that since 2014, 21,000 hectares of larch trees have been felled due to Phytophthora ramorum. The Woodland Trust itself has spent hundreds of thousands of pounds removing larch."

Larch trees felled due to disease at Smithills Estate.Larch trees felled due to disease at Smithills Estate. (Image: Woodland Trust)

Rebecca added: "We have some fantastic tree nurseries across the UK which grow the trees that the Woodland Trust and many others need. While the Trust runs the UK and Ireland Sourced and Grown scheme, there are still far too many trees being imported from elsewhere, bringing huge risk to tree health.

"It’s great that the government has supported domestic tree nurseries through significant funding over the past three years, but this comes to an end early next year and it’s crucial for the government to continue this support."

In response to the concerns raised by the Woodland Trust, a Defra spokesperson insisted that the UK has a strong, risk-based regulatory regime in place which implements a comprehensive range of government measures to minimise biosecurity risks to trees and meet World Trade Organisation standards.  

This includes a prohibition on the import of the highest risk trees and the phytosanitary certification of those which are permitted for import, to provide official confirmation that prescribed conditions have been complied with.  Imports must be pre-notified to government and are subject to an official inspection and surveillance programme. Plant passporting of all movements of trees, and regulated timber for commercial purposes, is required within GB. 

The spokesperson added that 100 per cent of trees planted by Forestry England in a forestry setting are UK grown.