Tree planting is a central plank in Britain’s net zero strategy.

An inability to get new woodland established means the UK will almost certainly not meet carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation targets.

The environmental audit committee report identifies several failings and bottlenecks to progress with woodland creation.

One way of reducing complexity would be to give greater autonomy to tree and woodland professionals.

Giving chartered arboriculturists and chartered foresters greater independence, supported with a simpler funding model, could help incentivise and liberate tree and woodland professionals to do what they do best, which is create and manage the UK’s valuable woodlands for both people and nature.