Barking Up The Right Tree.
Hi Peeps,
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Well, after so many doom-laden posts about the abysmal way that we are caring for, and abusing, this utterly lovely planet of ours, there is actually some very encouraging news to pass along.
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The UK has more woodlands now than it has had in the past 250 years.
Not since the 1750′s has it been better.
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After that, forests began being decimated so that the wood could be used for both shipbuilding and charcoal making purposes, during the wars that followed.
First the Seven Years War, followed by the war with the French led by Napoleon.
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Things continued to get worse and worse, until by about 1918 there was a new low of about 5% of forest cover left.
So things have really picked up now although we are still at the bottom of the tree cover lists for European countries, the average coverage being 44%.
Sweden definitely tops everyone else, with just over 70% coverage, the Uk has about 11.8%.
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Part of the reason for the huge improvement is that many people have been investing in their own piece of woodland, both individually and by investing in joint ventures.
Some people use their woodland as a private amenity to visit, enjoy, and possibly even camp in, providing a wonderland of adventure and memories for their children.
Others plan on making money from Forestry, where wood can be managed and cash cropped.
At present there is no inheritance tax on woodland after a few years and I believe that income from the sale of timber is free of income tax and capital gains tax.
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Many different people, firms and bodies such as the Forestry Commission are doing their bit for trees.
The Woodland Trust has many supporters and plans to try and double the native woodland in less than fifty years.
It is obviously a slow business but promises to enhance the lives of future generations.
Isn’t that a bit of welcome good news.
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Go on, hug a tree.
Or hug someone….in a tree!
J,x.
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