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