UK Embraces Exotic Trees to Safeguard Forests of the Future

In October 2025, the UK is taking proactive steps to safeguard its forests for the future. Experts warn that the country's native oak trees, which support up to 2,300 species of wildlife, are under threat due to the impacts of climate change.

To address this challenge, the England Species Reintroductions Taskforce, an independent advisory group, is guiding conservation efforts and exploring the concept of "assisted migration." This involves introducing tree species from warmer or drier regions that are better suited to the climate the UK is expected to have in the coming decades.

Some of the proposed species, such as the Corsican pine from the Mediterranean and the coast redwood from North America, are not native to the UK but could thrive in the country's future environmental conditions. While this approach poses certain challenges, such as the UK's increasingly extreme weather patterns, the taskforce believes it is necessary to act now before it's too late.

"We've been tracking biodiversity loss for years...do we just watch it happen or act before it's too late?" said Dr. Dalrymple, a member of the taskforce.

One suggestion is to plant the seeds of the common oak currently growing on the Georgia-Azerbaijan border, as the soil and environmental conditions in that region are similar to those in southern England. This could help sustain future oak populations in the UK.

As the country navigates these complex issues, the future of its forests hangs in the balance, with the England Species Reintroductions Taskforce leading the charge to adapt and protect the UK's rich biodiversity.