How woodland management impacts climate change
To provide any form of useful carbon storage, woodlands need to exist and be protected in the long term, not just in the present. We recognise this, and sustainable management that protects and enhances our woodlands is the basis of our long-term vision in our woodland strategy.
What this means is that the rate at which carbon is removed through tree felling is less than the rate at which it is stored in the trees, soils and other organic matter throughout the woodland. Any timber products coming out of the wood are potentially reducing or replacing the need for activities that use fossil fuels.
Credit Piotr Krzeslak
Management can increase carbon storage in a woodland by reducing competition for large trees and allowing them to grow even larger. It also works by increasing organic activity in the soil and aiding the establishment of new trees.
Tree felling work that adds resilience and wildlife benefit to our woodlands does not result in deforestation. This way the woodlands will not only contribute to tackling climate change now, but they will be around to do so over centuries to come.