The Woodland Opportunity Map (WOM) 2021 has now been superseded by a 2025 version as of 1 March 2025. All woodland grant applicants which would have used the WOM 2021, should now use the 2025 version. The WOM 2021 is no longer supported, or updated, and its input data may not be the most current data available. Please go to the WOM 2025 here

The on-line viewer provides a general guide to land managers, and aims to identify areas of Wales which are most suited to new woodland creation using spatial data and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). It is relevant to all woodland creation proposals whether public or privately funded and is used in the assessment of applications for Welsh Government planting schemes. Its aim is to ensure that trees are planted in the right place for maximum benefit.

An overall score map for woodland creation in Wales is shown at a medium scale in green, highlighting the best opportunities at a strategic level for new woodland creation. This overall score is based on data layers of ecosystem services or benefits arising from new woodland creation, and support a range of Welsh Government’s forestry and environmental policies. The separate data layers that make up the overall score can be viewed individually at a smaller scale.

The map also includes information to show areas that are potentially sensitive to new woodland creation and signposts further guidance on consultation with the appropriate authority. These sensitivity layers show areas of Wales where biophysical, landscape designations and archaeological sites have been identified that require further investigation and advice. These layers can be analysed using the map tools to show where a planting proposal potentially intersects with a sensitive area. Detailed further guidance can be found in pop-up text boxes accompanying these layers.

To access the Woodland Opportunity Map User Guide, click here