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Farming Today: Plastic Forests

Plastic Forests

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Is it time to rethink the role of single-use plastic guards in tree planting?

As plans are drawn up for millions of new trees to be planted across the US, Caz Graham asks if it's time to re-think the use of plastic tree tubes.

There are plans for millions of new trees to be planted across the UK in an effort to slow climate change. But millions of new trees also means forests of unsustainable single-use plastic tree guards. Some say they're ugly. Other say they can even prevent newly planted trees from thriving if they’re not maintained properly.  

Caz Graham visits the Yorkshire Dales and Cumbria for a spot of tree guard wombling and hears why some woodland managers and landowners think it’s time to rethink the use of plastic tubes. She also sees how the forestry industry is developing new sustainable ways to protect saplings.

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