High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Forestry is the management of trees and forests for environmental or economic gain. The United Kingdom is a good place to practise forestry, because the British Isles are ideal for tree growth, thanks to their mild winters, plentiful rainfall, fertile soil and hill-sheltered topography. Growth rates for broadleaved (hardwood) trees exceed those of mainland Europe, while conifer (softwood) growth rates are three times those of Sweden and five times those of Finland. In the absence of people, much of Great Britain would be covered with mature oaks, except for Scotland. Although conditions for forestry are good, trees do face damage threats arising from fungi, parasites and pests.