Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru

The Welsh Government’s ‘Woodlands for Wales’ forestry strategy outlines the importance of forestry and woodlands.

There are many threats to tree health, such as Phytophthora, Xylella and Ash dieback. My officials are working in partnership with NRW and other organisations to try and better understand diseases’ life cycles in the hope of controlling or managing outbreaks and their effect on our native trees and biodiversity.

I have demonstrated my commitment to support forestry in Wales by announcing a further bidding round for projects under the Glastir Woodland Creation and Restoration schemes. The schemes which provide financial support for new planting and restoration of woodland and will be open to bids from the 1st April and the amount of funding available will be announced at this time.

The Glastir Woodland Creation Scheme was set up to increase the area of new woodlands in Wales by offering financial assistance for new tree planting. It can also contribute to the First Minister’s commitment to create a new National Forest for Wales. 

The Glastir Woodland Restoration Scheme enables woodlands infected by Phytophthora ramorum and stands of larch, to be replanted to help slow down the spread of the disease. When a woodland is clear-felled, the scheme provides an opportunity to diversify tree species to increase resilience to climate change and damage from pests and diseases. A new round of this Scheme will also be opened on1 April.

Planning Policy Wales 10 provides greater protection for ancient and semi-natural woodlands and individual ancient, veteran and heritage trees. It stipulates that such trees and woodlands should be afforded additional levels of protection and every effort should be made to prevent potentially damaging operations and their unnecessary loss. In the case of a site recorded on the Ancient Woodland Inventory, authorities should consult with NRW. Planning authorities should also have regard to the Ancient Tree Inventory.