Trees outside of woodlands identified across Wales - Forest Research

A new national map showing the location of trees outside of woodlands across Wales is now available for the first time.

The comprehensive research programme, undertaken by Forest Research, and funded by Welsh Government, uses the latest satellite imagery and national LiDAR survey data to identify trees outside of woodlands, revealing these trees make up 30% of national tree cover across Wales.

The dataset accompanying the map, identifies the canopies of all trees at least 3 metres tall and with a minimum crown area of 5 square metres which exist outside the areas already mapped as woodland in the National Forest Inventory (NFI). This includes lone trees, groups of trees, and small woodlands.

The map, freely available via the Welsh Government data portal, is designed to support anyone involved with planting or planning trees in Wales, from community groups and charities to farmers, foresters and public bodies. It will help to identify where opportunities lie for new planting, building on current schemes or identifying where lone trees could be connected to other trees and woodland.

Trees outside woodlands in urban and rural areas play a vital role. They store carbon, regulate temperatures, and mitigate against the impacts of climate change, such as flooding and over-heating of towns and cities.

Huw Irranca-Davies, the Deputy First Minister, with responsibility for climate change policy said: “Trees outside of woodland play a critical role in supporting nature and helping to mitigate the impact of climate change in Wales. This map, which provides a comprehensive picture of Wales tree canopy beyond woodlands, helps us to recognise the contribution which they make – it opens the door to better decision‑making, stronger ecological networks, and a richer picture of Wales’s natural environment.”