Plans to safeguard and strengthen North Yorkshire’s trees and woodlands are set to help protect the environment while creating healthier, greener places for communities to live and enjoy.
A proposed new tree and woodland policy will go before our executive on Tuesday next week (16 June). It sets out a countywide approach to managing trees, recognising the vital role they play in supporting wildlife, tackling climate change and improving people’s quality of life.
Executive member for highways and transportation, Cllr Malcolm Taylor, whose portfolio includes parks and countryside services, said: “Our trees and woodlands are some of North Yorkshire’s greatest natural assets.
“This proposed policy shows our commitment to protecting them and making sure they continue to benefit communities now and in the future. If approved, it will put green spaces at the heart of how we make decisions.”
If agreed, the policy would introduce a consistent approach to tree management across the county for the first time, helping to improve protection and avoid a patchwork of different practices which existed prior to the launch of North Yorkshire Council in 2023.
Cllr Taylor added: “This is about recognising the true value of trees - not just as part of our landscape, but as essential to our environment and wellbeing.
“We want to make sure they are properly protected and cared for so future generations can enjoy them too.”
Key proposals include:
- Protecting trees and green spaces from unnecessary loss.
- Stronger expectations for developers to retain trees and hedgerows.
- Making better use of Tree Preservation Orders to protect valued areas.
- Supporting wildlife and climate resilience through better tree care.
It would also make processes clearer for residents, with more transparent ways of dealing with tree work, concerns and claims.
Trees are central to tackling climate change - absorbing carbon, improving air quality, reducing flood risk and helping to cool built-up areas during hot weather.
If approved, the policy will support wider work to increase tree cover and create greener, healthier places to live.
Tree and woodland manager, Helen Arnold, said: “Good tree management is about taking a long-term view. This policy will help us protect what we have, plan more effectively for the future, and ensure North Yorkshire’s trees continue to support wildlife, tackle climate change and benefit communities for generations to come.”
The plans highlight the need to improve access to green spaces, with a future tree planting strategy expected to focus on areas where it can deliver the biggest benefits for communities and the environment.
If approved, the policy will provide a clear framework for managing the council’s trees while supporting wider action on climate change and nature recovery.
John Parker, chief executive officer of the Arboricultural Association, the largest membership body for tree care professionals in the UK, is backing the plan.
He said: “It is really positive to see that the newly formed North Yorkshire Council is considering introducing a new tree and woodland policy so early in its existence, recognising the significant benefits that trees bring to the urban and rural communities of North Yorkshire and acknowledging the importance of arboricultural best practice in tree care.
“If adopted, it will provide an opportunity to improve how tree cover and its benefits are shared across the area, helping ensure that all communities can experience the value that trees bring.”
The report to the executive can be viewed or downloaded as a PDF here.