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Written question asked by Manuela Perteghella (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 28 August 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 2 September 2026. It was answered by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter (Labour) on Friday, 4 September 2026 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Forests and Tree Planting: Droughts and Temperature

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of extreme heat and consecutive drought on tree planting and established woodland.

Answer

Forest Research (FR) has assessed that extreme heat and drought can reduce tree growth and increase tree mortality. Consecutive droughts may have cumulative impacts. Tree mortality will be recorded through the field work associated with FR’s National Forest Inventory; however, it will be challenging to attribute mortality to weather conditions in a particular year.

Newly planted trees are particularly vulnerable during establishment, while established woodland may become more susceptible to pests, diseases, wildfire and windthrow. FR continues to assess these risks and promote adaptation measures, including resilient species selection and greater species diversity.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
23605
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Forests Droughts Temperature Tree planting
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk