Charter for Trees, Woods and People

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Charter for Trees, Woods and People
PurposeTo recognise, celebrate, and protect the value of trees and woods in the United Kingdom.

The Charter for Trees, Woods and People, also known as the Tree Charter, is a document launched in 2017 to state the guiding principles for protecting and celebrating trees and woodland in the United Kingdom. The charter was created by the Woodland Trust in partnership with a coalition of more than 70 conservation and environmental organisations. [1]

Contents

The charter was launched on 6 November 2017 at Lincoln Castle to mark the 800th anniversary of the 1217 Charter of the Forest. [2] It is not a legally binding document but serves as a set of guiding principles to influence policy and public attitudes towards trees. [1]

Background

Historical context

The modern Tree Charter was inspired by the Charter of the Forest, which was first signed on 6 November 1217 as a sister charter to Magna Carta. Signed by King Henry III, the Charter of the Forest re-established the rights of free men to access and use the royal forests, which had been a critical resource for firewood, building materials, and grazing land. [3]

Modern impetus

In October 2010, the UK government introduced the Public Bodies Bill, which included provisions that would have allowed the Secretary of State to sell public forestry land in England. [4] Following a public outcry and campaigns by environmental groups, the government abandoned the plans. The Woodland Trust cited the strong public response as evidence of the deep connection people have with the nation's forests, which helped prompt the call for a new charter. [5] The government's subsequent Independent Panel on Forestry recommended in its 2012 report the creation of a "charter for the English Public Forest Estate" to specify its public benefit mission. [6]

Development and launch

The campaign for a new Charter for Trees, Woods and People was initiated in January 2016. [7] To shape its content, the Woodland Trust and its partners embarked on a public consultation, collecting more than 60,000 "tree stories" from people across the UK about the role trees played in their lives. [8] These stories, along with expert consultations, were used to draft the charter's ten guiding principles.

The final charter was launched on 6 November 2017, the 800th anniversary of the Charter of the Forest, at an event in Lincoln Castle, where an original copy of the 1217 charter is held. [2]

Charter principles

The content of the Tree Charter is based on ten guiding principles, which were formulated from the public stories and expert consultations. The principles are: [9]

  1. Sustain landscapes rich in wildlife
  2. Plant for the future
  3. Celebrate the power of trees to inspire
  4. Grow forests of opportunity and innovation
  5. Protect irreplaceable trees and woods
  6. Plan greener local landscapes
  7. Recover health, hope and wellbeing with the help of trees
  8. Make trees accessible to all
  9. Strengthen our landscapes with trees
  10. Enhance forests through skilful management

The charter is intended to be used as a tool to hold politicians and organisations accountable and to guide decision-making regarding trees and woodland. [1]

Signatories and supporters

The charter was created by a coalition of over 70 organisations, with other bodies and individuals joining as signatories. Key partner organisations include: [10]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "The Tree Charter". Woodland Trust. Archived from the original on 26 September 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  2. 1 2 Horton, Helena (6 November 2017). "New 'charter for trees' to protect UK's woodland for future generations". The Daily Telegraph . Archived from the original on 16 May 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  3. ↑ Rothwell, Harry (1996). English Historical Documents, 1189-1327. Routledge. p. 337. ISBN   9780415143684.
  4. ↑ "Public Bodies Bill [HL]" (PDF). The Stationery Office. 28 October 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 February 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  5. ↑ "Why our woods were at risk". Woodland Trust. Archived from the original on 19 September 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  6. ↑ "Independent Panel on Forestry: Final Report" (PDF). Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. 4 July 2012. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 September 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  7. ↑ Aldred, Jessica (20 January 2016). "Campaigners call for new British Charter for Trees". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 25 September 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  8. ↑ "Tree stories". Woodland Trust. Archived from the original on 23 May 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  9. ↑ "The 10 Tree Charter principles". Woodland Trust. Archived from the original on 6 September 2024. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
  10. ↑ "Charter Partners". Woodland Trust. Retrieved 7 October 2025.
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