Written question asked by Lord Lucas (Conservative) on Friday, 14 November 2025, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Friday, 28 November 2025. It was answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Labour) on Monday, 24 November 2025 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Tree Planting: Oxford-Cambridge Arc

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government what species are proposed to be planted in the new national forest in the Oxford-Cambridge corridor to generate an economic return given the relative lack of rainfall in that area and the expectation that there will be even less in future.

Answer: The design of the new forests will be led by delivery partners on the ground, so exact species mix is not known at this time. We know that the UK climate is more likely to experience frequent extreme weather events (such as summer droughts and winter storms) and therefore it is important for us to plant a wide range of tree species that will adapt to these future changes, in line with our National Adaptation Plan commitment to ensure new woodlands have current and future climate conditions considered in their design and species choice, whilst also being selected carefully on a site-by-site basis to suit multiple functions, such as recreation, flood management, timber production and wildlife habitat .

Secondary information