Establish a presumption against felling of mature trees in England

Policy needs to protect our tree resource and slow the decline of canopy cover. There is little point planting new trees if we continue cutting down mature trees. Young transplants cannot ‘replace’ the canopy of a single hundred-year old oak, and cannot provide significant benefit for years. How much simpler and more effective to retain existing habitats. A licence should be required for the felling of any mature tree, and be granted only in exceptional and clearly defined circumstances.