hardwood trees planted

Summary

The request sought monthly planting data for softwood and hardwood trees over six years, land ownership percentages, and root clearing policies. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture provided annual totals instead of monthly data, confirmed all trees were planted on department-owned land, and stated there is no written policy on burning roots as they are generally left in situ.

Key Facts

• Monthly planting data is not held; only annual figures are available.
• All trees listed in the response were planted on land owned by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture.
• There is no written policy on clearing or burning residual roots after tree felling.
• The department prefers to leave stumps and roots in situ rather than removing them.
• Approximately 10-15% of the planting figures include 'beatups' (replacing dead trees).

Data Disclosed

• 2015-2016: 37,200 Conifer, 9,500 Broadleaf
• 2016-2017: 22,500 Conifer, 2,100 Broadleaf
• 2017-2018: 47,500 Conifer, 5,350 Broadleaf
• 2018-2019: 36,000 Conifer, 10,600 Broadleaf
• 2019-2020: 0 Conifer, 90,700 Broadleaf
• 2020-2021: 57,000 Conifer, 123,750 Broadleaf
• Total Conifer: 200,200
• Total Broadleaf: 123,750
• 1,000 broadleaf trees provided to local authorities in 2019-2020
• 10-15% beatups
• Case ID: 1827465
• Date received: 2021-06-04
• Outcome date: 2021-06-14

Original Request

how many (a) softwood and (b) hardwood trees have been planted in each month in each of the most recent 6 financial years; what percentage of trees were planted by the department on government owned public land; what is the department policy on clearing and burning residual roots after tree felling given the disproportionate percentage of carbon capture in the roots?

Data Tables (2)

Full Response Text

Freedom of Information Co-ordinator Corporate Services Directorate Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St John’s, Isle of Man, IM4 3AS Tel no (01624) 685854 Fax no (01624 685851 Email: defa@gov.im www.gov.im

Our ref: 1827465 14th June 2021

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 4th June 2021 and which states:

"how many (a) softwood and (b) hardwood trees have been planted in each month in each of the most recent 6 financial years; what percentage of trees were planted by the department on government owned public land; what is the department policy on clearing and burning residual roots after tree felling given the disproportionate percentage of carbon capture in the roots?"

The information being released to you is outlined below: 1. How many (a) softwood and (b) hardwood trees have been planted in each month in each of the most recent 6 financial years? There is no information held for each month. However information is available by year below. Year Conifer Broadleaf 2015-2016 37,200 9,500 2016-2017 22,500 2,100 2017-2018 47,500 5,350 2018-2019 36,000 10,600 2019-2020 - 90,700 2020-2021 57,000 123,750

Total 200,200 123,750 2. What percentage of trees were planted by the department on government owned public land? All the trees mentioned in answer to part 1 were planted on Land owned by this Department. There is no information held for other government owned land. 3. What is the department policy on clearing and burning residual roots after tree felling given the disproportionate percentage of carbon capture in the roots? There is no written policy on stump/root clearing or burning; however the Department does not undertake such operations, preferring them to stay in situ. On very rare occasions stump grinding or removal may be considered for plant health, access and infrastructure improvements. Further information Some of the figures above include ‘beatups’ (A forester’s phrase, meaning to replace dead trees with new ones, especially during the early years of the establishment or re- establishment) – though this is a minor percentage of the overall figures, approximately 10-15%. 1,000 broadleaf trees were provided to local authorities in 2019-2020. Please quote the reference number 1827465 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.

In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely