Tree cover in England is on the increase with about 25 trees for every person, according to figures released by forestry minister Elliott Morley.

The National Inventory of Woodland and Trees, published during National Tree Week (November 21-December 2), says broadleaf is the dominant forest type with oak the most common tree, covering 159,000ha.

Mr Morley said: ‘The government is committed to achieving a re-expansion of England’s woodlands to deliver the widest possible range of benefits: jobs for people, wood for our daily needs, new habitat for wildlife, places for everyone to enjoy and learn in.’

Total woodland cover is now 8.4%, up from the 5% of 1870 but well below the EU average of 36%.

Len Yull, chairman of the Timber Growers Association, applauded the inventory but added a note of caution.

He said: ‘What we are seeing is basically no commercial planting taking place now. The expansion is in the native woodland and the big worry is that commercial stock is not expanding.’

  • Woodland cover in Britain is forecast to rise to 15% over the next 20 years – bringing it back to the level recorded in 1086 when William the Conqueror ordered the first count.

    A seven-year Forestry Commission ‘Domesday’ survey shows there are now 1.3 billion trees covering 8.4% of England, and that forested areas are increasing by 20,000 acres a year. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are thought to be experiencing similar improvements.