MP hails new forestry bid in Commons

The Conservative MP, who is vice-chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Forestry, also used the debate in Westminster Hall on tree planting, to call for the Government to recognise the ability of trees to contribute to combating climate change, hailing trees as ‘the most efficient, cheapest carbon-capture technology, which nature has already given us’.

She also urged the government to recognise both the long-term benefits of tree planting to flood-prevention strategies and their short-term benefits almost immediately after planting.

“Research has shown that tree planting can have an impact on water flows within a year as tree roots take hold and the ground is disturbed,” she said.

“More importantly, it is time that we looked at long-term solutions to long-term systemic problems rather than being satisfied with quick fixes.”

Mrs Trevelyan went on to highlight the plans for Doddington North Moor, near Wooler.

“An exciting application in my constituency highlights what can be achieved,” she said. “As the Minister will know, we have a plan to plant 600,000 trees on land at Doddington North, near Wooler, one of the more northern towns in my constituency.

“Doddington will be a great example of modern, mixed forestry – a range of tree species planted with open spaces and designed to fit into the existing landscape and deliver a huge range of benefits.

“The Doddington plan was launched this summer near Wooler at our local countryside show, the Glendale Show.

“There was wide support from the community and even wider support for the fact that the consultation had started such an early stage.”

The MP went on to cite the benefits of the scheme to local sawmill A&J Scott Ltd, which employs more than 100 people in Northumberland.

The Minister reiterated the Government’s commitment to planting 11 million new trees in this Parliament.