Housebuilders in England may be made to look after trees they plant

Minister says aftercare must be included in targets, after concerns from woodland experts that many trees are dying

Housebuilders who “just shove trees in the ground” to meet planting targets will be made to ensure they survive by watering them properly, under plans being considered by ministers.

Under the government’s legally binding environment improvement plan targets, which replace EU nature rules, the aim is to increase England’s woodland cover from 10% to 16.5% by 2050. The government has therefore set tree planting targets and asked private businesses to contribute in return for funding or as part of a biodiversity net gain plan.