Why do conservationists cut down trees?
- Anna Kenny
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
I am writing this because I get asked this question alot: "Why are you cutting the tree down?"
Planting trees is so rooted in our society now as something good for the environment. So much so that cutting any trees down can seem like a step in the wrong direction. Just to say, planting trees is fantastic when done correctly within a long term management plan. Especially given that woodland covers only 13% of the UK, a much lower statistic than the European average of 44% (1).
However conservationists, the ones who are planting trees, championing trees and ultimately, protecting trees, are also the ones cutting trees down because its not just trees we are protecting, we are protecting and restoring entire habitats vital for biodiversity. While people may express concern over felling trees due to climate change, in certain cases the resulting healthy habitats created that harbour resilient populations of species will adapt more readily to climate change.
While there is a lot of focus on climate change, the need for tackling a biodiversity crisis often gets overlooked.
So here are some reasons why conservationists cut down trees.
Removing invasives
As already discussed, looking after the environment is not simply about increasing arboreal coverage. Its about protecting and restoring resilient ecosystems which are biodiverse and support a range of specialist species. The best way to do this is to encourage native tree species that support other native animal species. Invasive species can take over an area quickly, out-competing native species and producing monocultures that support little to no biodiversity. For example, conifers in the South of England grow quickly and can take over heathland in some cases. Plantations date back to the World war 2 but continue to grow today and support very little bird life, understory plants and biodiversity compared to an English woodland with a mix of species and structures.
A conservationist will carefully incorporate the removal of non-native trees into a management plan that considers the long term benefit to wildlife and biodiversity.
Invasives species are defined as:
1. Being non- native.
Spreading rapidly
Being detrimental to the local environment.
Other examples of invasive trees include Holm Oak and Rhododendron in the UK. In other countries such as Portugal, Eucalyptus is being removed and replaced with native, more fire resistant species.
Woodland management
Any good doctor will tell you that prevention is better than cure. Looking after what we already have is far better than letting it go into disrepair and then having to repair it. Therefore the number one priority - before any type of habitat creation scheme - is to protect what we already have.
Protecting woodlands involves creating and sticking to a carefully drawn up management plan. Woodland management can involve felling trees, also known as "woodland thinning," to create light, structure and encourage regeneration (growth of younger trees to replace older trees). This is particularly important in woodlands that haven't been grazed much or have just generally been neglected. Opening up the canopy allows more light onto the floor supporting a greater range of ground flora increasing the structural diversity and plant biodiversity, increasing the matrix of habitats supporting a range of specialist species.
Coppicing is also a traditional management technique that involves cutting down trees, such as hazel, willow or birch on a rotation cycle of 5-10 years, depending on the species. Dating back to the stone age, coppicing was a means to get firewood and timber, but is now a technique to open up woodland for wildlife that rely on light and open areas.
Deadwood
The amount of dead wood in a woodland is an important indicator of how much biodiversity a woodland supports. Many woodlands have insufficient dead wood needed for invertebrates, fungi networks and plant life that support birds and mammals. Piling up felled trees, scattering brash across the forest floor or leaving standing dead wood is important for creating habitats supporting a range of species. Trees can also be ringbarked which involves removing bark around the trunk preventing the flow of nutrients to and from the roots. The tree eventually dies and creates standing deadwood habitat for lots of different animals.
Habitat restoration
Heathland
Did you know more heathland has been lost than rainforest? This is due to neglect, encroachment of invasive species, fragmentation and lack of management.
Heathland management involves preventing succession of areas to woodland. Moreover, Birch and Scot's pine spread rapidly overtaking a heathland ecosystem. Therefore, a good proportion of heathland management involves felling trees, clearing scrub and conservation grazing to control vegetation growth. Removing scrub is also a fire prevention strategy. Open heathland habitats are vital for reptiles, ground nesting birds and specialist invertebrates.
Chalk Downland/Grassland
Open habitats of rich in wildflowers and grasses are essential for invertebrates. Similar to heathland, felling trees, alongside conservation grazing is essential to maintain these areas as open habitats.
Wetland/Peatland
Restoring wetlands often involves clearing overgrown areas and felling trees where vegetation holds water. Felled trees can be left to create dams, slow watercourses or flood areas.
Peatland is also a vital habitat for many different flora and many of these sites have become degraded in the UK. Peatland also acts as a carbon store and trees growing can interfere with sequestration and prevent the ecosystem from functioning at its maximum potential.
Health and safety/access
Many nature reserves are managed for the enjoyment and use of people alongside wildlife. Natural sites are areas where people can engage with nature for their own benefit. In this case, health and safety is a priority and felling diseased, dead or unstable trees that are deemed unsafe is often a valid reason to fell a tree.
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