E5: Percentage of the annual growth of trees in English woodlands that is harvested
Short Description
This indicator shows changes in the percentage of annual softwood and hardwood growth in England that is harvested annually. Separate statistics are available for softwood, hardwood, and both in total. This indicator helps us to better understand the levels of, and trends in, the economic productive utilisation of English timber resources as a part of sustainable forest management policies and practices.
The underlying data sources are National Statistics from Forest Research on UK Wood Production and Trade and National Forest Inventory forecasts of increase (increment) in the volume of wood that grows in England.
Readiness and links to data
Data on the percentage of the annual growth of trees in English woodlands that is harvested are published in the Forestry Commission’s Key Performance Indicators Reports.
Indicator components
Figure E5: Percentage of the annual growth of trees in English woodlands that is harvested, 2010 to 2021
Table E5: Percentage of the annual growth of trees in English woodlands that is harvested, 2010 to 2021
| Year | Hardwood | Hardwood and softwood | Softwood |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 12.60 | 35.60 | 67.00 |
| 2011 | 12.80 | 37.30 | 70.80 |
| 2012 | 12.60 | 38.40 | 73.70 |
| 2013 | 12.60 | 42.20 | 87.00 |
| 2014 | 12.70 | 44.10 | 91.70 |
| 2015 | 13.40 | 42.00 | 85.30 |
| 2016 | 14.20 | 43.80 | 88.80 |
| 2017 | 15.90 | 40.00 | 76.90 |
| 2018 | 18.00 | 43.20 | 81.80 |
| 2019 | 18.70 | 42.90 | 79.90 |
| 2020 | 17.80 | 40.20 | 74.60 |
| 2021 | 17.70 | 38.10 | 69.50 |
Trend description for E5
The percentage of softwood growth in England which is harvested has fluctuated between 67% and 92% over the 12 years for which these data are reported, reflecting sustained active management of softwood resources. The percentage of hardwood growth which is harvested has increased slightly, although it remains much lower (between 13% and 19% over the same 12-year period), reflecting a lower level of active management of broadleaved woodland for timber supplies.
Assessment of change
There has been a decrease (deterioration) in the percentage of the total annual growth of trees in English woodlands that is harvested (hardwood and softwood combined) over the short-term assessment period. However, there has been little or no change over the medium-term assessment period. The time series is not yet sufficient to make an assessment over the long term.
Change since 2018 has also been assessed. There has been a decrease (deterioration) in the percentage of annual growth harvested since 2018. However, this is based on only 4 data points so should be considered as indicative and not evidence of a clear trend.
Further information on this assessment, along with details on the methodology, is provided in the Assessment background page. Summaries by 25 Year Environment Plan goal and information on indicator links are presented in the Assessment results pages.
Table E5: Assessment of change
| Component | Subcomponent | Period | Date range | Percentage change | Smoothing function | Assessment of change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E5 | Hardwood and softwood | Short term | 2016 to 2021 | -13.01 | Unsmoothed | Deterioration |
| E5 | Hardwood and softwood | Medium term | 2011 to 2021 | 2.14 | Unsmoothed | Little or no change |
| E5 | Hardwood and softwood | Long term | N/A | N/A | N/A | Not assessed |
Note that percentage change in Table E5 refers to the difference seen from the first to last year in the specified date range.