Managing forestry and woodlands
Trees and woods are key features of the Welsh
landscape except in the highest uplands and on the most exposed
coasts.
Almost 14% of the land area of Wales is covered by
woodland. Conifer woodland covers 137 476 ha (48%) and
broadleaf woodland covers 106 855 ha (37%).
There are also approximately 15 million trees in Wales outside
woodlands.
Why they are important
Forests and woodlands are rich in wildlife. They also:
- provide opportunities for recreation
- store carbon
- provide timber and other products
- can help reduce flooding
- provide jobs, both directly and indirectly
- are important historical and cultural features
Managing forests and woodlands
CCW promotes the sustainable management of trees and woods and
would like to see a gradual increase in the extent of woodland
cover in Wales for the many benefits that it can provide.
More information
Information on woodlands as a resource is available from the
Forestry Commission’s National Inventory of Woods and Trees