New figures published today have highlighted the UK’s dependence on imported trees despite increasing demand for woodland creation, greener towns and cities, and nature recovery. Campaigners say the reliance on overseas-grown stock represents a missed opportunity to support British businesses and build a strong domestic tree production sector, resilience to foreign disease and pests, and capacity to meet future demand.

The figures show that 85 million tree and shrubs worth £229 million were imported in 2025. While the number of imported trees and shrubs has fallen, the overall volume imported has seen a less significant drop, suggesting a continuing reliance on imports of larger, mature trees. The trend points to a potential gap in domestic production capacity and reinforces calls for greater support for domestic nurseries to capture a greater share of a growing market, and strengthen resilience of our mature tree supply chain.

The announcement has promoted renewed calls from the Strong Roots partnership for greater action to boost the production of trees in Britain. The partnership is an alliance between leading environmental and horticultural organisations, the Woodland Trust, the Horticultural Trades Association, National Trust and the Royal Horticultural Society. 

They say that with increased government support, British tree nurseries could help secure the supply of trees needed for future planting ambitions, while supporting economic growth and creating opportunities for growers to expand and invest with confidence.

Increasing domestic tree production could also help improve tree equity by making it easier to bring trees to the urban communities that need them the most. Access to tree cover remains uneven across the UK, with many neighbourhoods missing out on the environmental, health, and social benefits that trees provide.

The Strong Roots report, published last year, found that Britain imported 128.5 million trees and shrubs worth £280 million in 2023, despite strong demand for British-grown stock and ambitious national tree planting targets. The report also highlighted the economic benefits of the horticultural industry, currently worth an estimated £2.6 billion.

The figures come just days after parliamentarians and industry representitives met at a joint meeting of the APPGs on Trees and Horticulture to discuss the future of domestic tree production. Participants heard that British growers continue to face barriers including market uncertainty, skills shortages and limited support for expanding production.

In light of the latest figures, and building on the recommendations set out in their joint report, the organisations are calling on the UK and devolved governments to assess how many of the imported trees could be produced domestically and develop a clear plan to increase domestic tree production for productive and ornamental trees.

The Strong Roots partnership of organisations is also calling on the governments to commit to the domestic supply chain to allow British nurseries to invest with confidence, recruit skilled staff while also insulating against tree disease and pests from abroad.

Alex Mayer MP, Chair of the APPG for Woods and Trees, said: “We have a Government committed to tree planting. To realise that ambition nurseries need the confidence to plan ahead, invest and expand to supply them.

“Britain has the domestic expertise and businesses. I want Ministers to work on a clear plan to grow more of the trees we need here in Britain. This would cut our reliance on imports and the pest and disease risks that can come with them. And it would be good for growth in every way.

“We need to create a stronger domestic supply chain, with more skilled forestry and horticultural jobs. The result will be healthier, more resilient woods and trees for generations to come.

Sarah Russell MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Trees and Horticulture, said: “Behind every tree-planting ambition are nurseries investing time, expertise and resources to grow healthy trees. As future plans are developed, the industry would benefit from being closely involved at an early stage.

“Britain has a skilled nursery sector with the potential to contribute much more to our tree-planting ambitions. Better coordination between government, those delivering planting schemes and the businesses growing the trees would help create more certainty for growers, support skilled jobs and ensure we have the right trees available in the right places.”

Andy Egan, Head of Policy Advocacy at the Woodland Trust added: "With the right support, British tree growers could play a far greater role in meeting our future needs. Growing more trees at home would strengthen biosecurity, support nature's recovery and help secure the long-term supply of trees our industry need."

Sally Cullimore, Technical and Trade Policy Manager at the Horticultural Trades Association, said: “Our tree growers need the certainty and support to grow the trees we need. Market confidence means growers can deliver the quantity and diversity of trees needed to fulfil the vital roles trees play in nature recovery, tackling the impacts of climate change and making our towns and cities greener. While imports may continue to be an important part of meeting that need, there is real opportunity to grow more in Great Britain.

“Strong Roots has highlighted the need for a long-term plan that gives British nurseries the confidence to invest, develop their businesses and contribute to future planting ambitions.

“Supporting domestic production will help build a resilient, sustainable supply chain and ensure the sector is well placed to meet future demand.”

Rebecca Bevan, Senior National Specialist - Environmental Horticulture, at the National Trust said: “Over-reliance on imported trees, particularly the more mature specimens often used in gardens and for street planting, poses a real risk of introducing new pests and diseases to this country which could have a negative impact on our existing trees and associated biodiversity. Significantly boosting production of trees in the UK is a win-win for people and nature."