A major survey to assess the damage caused to trees and woods by non-native grey squirrels – last estimated to cost England and Wales £37 million a year – is being launched across the UK.
The UK Squirrel Accord is asking landowners, managers and anyone with owner permission to carry out tree damage surveys in woods to better understand the bark stripping impacts of grey squirrels across the UK.
Using the National Forest’s monitoring method, the UK Squirrel Accord encourages the surveying of woods to assess the damage being inflicted on trees by invasive grey squirrels. Then report it on UKSA’s tree damage survey for 2025 by the end of December to build a national picture. The results are also useful for feeding into individual management plans and actions.
This can take place in any wood with permission. The methodology involves walking through the woodland and recording fresh and cumulative grey squirrel tree damage at regular intervals. All the guidance and forms can be found online.
Grey squirrels pose one of the greatest threats to the creation of healthy new woods for the future. Their bark stripping activities damage, stress and kill young trees needed for all the important functions they provide, such as carbon sequestration and flood management. Healthy trees and woods are also vital for native species, including red squirrels whose survival is also threatened by introduced grey squirrels.
Posted On: 06/11/2025
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