Fewer oaks, more conifers: Britain’s forests must change to meet climate targets

Indigenous species do not grow fast enough, so imports will have to be planted in their millions to offset emissions, expert warns

Last century the Forestry Commission sparked anger with a mass planting of conifer trees designed to provide a national reserve of timber because the shortages of the first world war had highlighted a national need.

Now a leading expert is calling for similar action again, arguing that if the UK is serious about offsetting its carbon dioxide emissions it must plant tens of millions of trees from imported species on open land.

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