§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in descending order, and by both botanical and common names, his best estimate of the(a) acreage and (b) hectacreage of (i) softwood and (ii) hardwood species planted throughout forests in the United Kingdom; what new trends are likely over the next (1) 10, (2) 25, (3) 50 and (4) 100 years; and if he will make a statement. [31381]
§ Mr. Kynoch[holding answer 10 July 1995]: The information is set out in the table. We expect the planting of conifers and broadleaves to continue to increase as a result of the Government's policy, which is designed to achieve a steady expansion of the forest area. The precise trends will depend on many factors including the objectives of individual landowners and the policies of the Government of the day.
Conifers Area Common name Botanical name Hectares (000s) Acres (000s) Sitka Spruce Picea sitchensis 780 1,900 Scots pine Pinus sylvestris 220 540 Lodgepole pine Pinus contorta 160 390 Japanese larch Larix kaempferi 120 290 Hybrid larch Larix europelis 120 290 Norway spruce Picea abies 95 230 Corsican pine Pinus nigra 55 130 Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii 45 110 European larch Larix decidua 40 95 Other 95 240
Broadleaves Area Common name Botanical name Hectares (000s) Acres (000s) Oak Quercus species 200 490 Birch Betula species 160 410 Ash Fraxinus excelsior 85 210 Beech Fagus sylvatica 75 190 Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus 60 150 Sweet Chesnut Castanea sativa 35 80 Poplar Populus species 20 45 Elm Ulmus species 10 30 Other 220 550