Policy paper

Untested non-native forestry species policy statement

Published 14 May 2026

Applies to England

Introduction 

Tree planting is at the forefront of government’s plans to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and increase tree canopy and woodland cover in England to at least 16.5% by 2050. Achieving our tree planting targets sits alongside other relevant commitments – such as our statutory biodiversity targets, protection of designated sites and our Convention on Biological Diversity and Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) commitments to reduce the establishment of invasive species by 50% by 2030. This is in addition to driving economic growth through innovation and effective regulation in accordance with the regulator’s Growth Duty and associated considerations.

What untested non-native forestry species means 

Untested non-native species proposed for forestry use are those which are not native to the UK and are either untested under UK conditions or where insufficient evidence is known about their characteristics to inform an assessment of risk of their planting. They are distinct from well-established non-native forestry species which make up around a quarter of the forest resource in England, such as Douglas-fir or Sitka spruce, or non-native species that have been less frequently planted in the past but where there is good knowledge of their growth characteristics under UK conditions.

The government’s Trees and Woodlands Scientific Advisory Group (TaW-SAG) have noted that there are potential risks associated with the planting of untested non-native species in productive forestry settings, and therefore care must be taken, and the precautionary principle considered, to avoid negative environmental impacts outweighing the potential benefits.

Policy for untested non-native forestry species

A new risk assessment process and decision-making framework has been developed for new, non-native, forestry species, building on the Forestry Commission’s existing regulatory process. In line with the precautionary environmental principle, government policy is that prior to the full implementation of the risk assessment framework for an untested non-native species, precaution should be taken by not allowing the planting of such species except for the purposes of research, the testing of commercial viability and environmental impacts at appropriate scales in rigorous and closely monitored trials.

Additionally, such schemes must be supported by scientifically robust evidence and independently monitored by third party monitoring as agreed with the Forestry Commission. Following the implementation of the risk assessment framework for untested non-native species, we will review and update this policy statement accordingly.

Planting of untested non-native species should not take place in any areas where they could negatively impact designated sites or environmentally sensitive areas, in adherence with the statutory processes required of regulators in relation to:

• sites of special scientific interest, as set out under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
• habitats sites, as set out under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017
• the Water Environment Regulations 2017

Their use will be limited to areas considered as having a low sensitivity to woodland creation.

The Forestry Commission will also consider the advice of Natural England and the Environment Agency as statutory advisers on nature and water respectively in implementing this policy statement. The views of statutory consultees must be fully considered in making a determination of the risk posed to the area so far as is reasonable and lawful. Consultation will be carried out in accordance with relevant statutory and Forestry Commission procedures, including with Natural England where it is legally required or the Forestry Commission has committed to doing so.

The Forestry Commission must consider scientific and other environmental information, including the views of the TaW-SAG, as is consistent with the Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) Regulations 1999 and reasonable within the context of any given application.