The National Trust has started planting nearly 93,000 trees at Lunt in Sefton, Merseyside, to benefit nature, people and the climate. Photograph: Paul Harris / National Trust Images.
The National Trust has started planting nearly 93,000 trees at Lunt in Sefton, Merseyside, to benefit nature, people and the climate. Photograph: Paul Harris / National Trust Images.

Creating 1200 acres of woodland

6 min


Charity aims to tree plant area equivalent to 800 football pitches

The National Trust aims to plant woodlands and woody habitats equivalent in size to over 800 football pitches – with support from England’s Community Forests.  

The charity aims to have planted more than 400,000 trees by the end of March. The goal is to create new woodlands, wood pasture, hedgerows and orchards in a project which is being supported by Defra’s Nature for Climate Fund.

Each new area of planting will connect with existing habitats, forming a mosaic of nature-rich landscapes, and extend the size of local Community Forests in areas including Devon, Gloucestershire, Yorkshire and Merseyside

More than £7 million is being put aside for 20 planting projects which include Devon, Gloucestershire, Yorkshire and Merseyside.

By the end of March, it’s expected that almost 416,000 trees will have been planted to establish new woodlands, wood pasture, hedgerows and orchards.

Experts say these woody habitats will help mitigate climate change, provide homes for nature and accessible woods close to towns and cities for people and communities to enjoy.

The largest tree planting project is at Lunt in Sefton, Merseyside, where work is now underway to plant up nearly 200 acres with more than 90,000 trees.

The land was recently purchased from Sefton Council by the National Trust. Part funded by The Mersey Forest’s Trees for Climate programme, the acquisition will connect with the Community Forest network, open up access to the countryside for local communities and join a mosaic of nature-rich landscapes together.

Giving ‘maximum value for people, nature and climate’

‘We’ve found lots of natural synergy with the Community Forests in the way we approach woodland and tree establishment to give maximum value for people, nature and climate,’ says John Deakin, The National Trust’s Head of Trees and Woodland.

‘Trees are our most powerful tool in locking up carbon and mitigating climate change. Working in partnership allows us to plant even more trees, restore more spaces for nature and store carbon on an even bigger scale.’ 

‘Meanwhile, with each new area of planting connecting with existing habitats plus extending the size of local Community Forest areas, we can ensure that more people have opportunities to connect with nature close to where they live, something we all need.’

Planting a mix of deciduous and evergreen trees as part of a Trees for Climate programme in partnership with England’s Community Forests. Photograph: Paul Harris / National Trust Images.

At Buckland Abbey in Devon, more than 30,000 trees are being planted in the tranquil Tavy Valley. Work is being carried out in conjunction with the Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest, funded by the Trees for Climate programme.

Alongside boosting woodland cover, extending hedgerows and restoring wood pasture, the reinstatement of an orchard will bring back a historical feature to Buckland, complete with heritage fruit, hazel and cobnut trees.

At Devon’s Killerton House and Estate, The National Trust is working in partnership with Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest to establish and restore more than 200 acres of woodland and wood pasture.

The charity explains that a network of volunteer and community groups, schools and local people have been joining in to ensure the tree planting events are successful.

Nearly five miles of paths are being planned to better public access to the new woodlands and the wider parkland at Killerton.

Linking to local communities including Cranbrook, West Clyst and Cullompton along with those in the nearby city of Exeter, more people will have the opportunity to get closer to nature near where they live.  

Bringing back wildlife and creating ‘nature-friendly’ farmland

In Gloucestershire at Sherborne Farm on the Sherborne Park Estate, the National Trust is working in partnership with a tenant to plant 53,000 trees.

Working with The Great Western Community Forest and funded by the Trees for Climate programme, the patchwork of new woodlands across the historic estate will bring back wildlife and create ‘nature-friendly’ farmland.

‘We’re really pleased to be working closely with the National Trust on woodland creation projects across the country,’ says Paul Nolan, Chair of England’s Community Forests and Director of The Mersey Forest.

‘Our Trees for Climate programme aims to deliver 76,000 hectares of trees and woodland across England by 2026 and the projects we’re supporting on National Trust sites will play a big part in this.’

‘Increasing tree cover in our communities is vital for our health and wellbeing and to help us adapt to our changing climate, which is becoming more and more challenging.’

‘Trees can help cool our towns and cities, help alleviate flooding, prevent soil erosion and cut pollution.’

‘Working alongside landowners and partners, such as the National Trust will help us to increase tree cover across Community Forest areas, boosting biodiversity, local economies and people’s access to nature.’

‘We are looking forward to developing our joint work with the National Trust to help deliver the Community Forest Plans across the country.’

Trees for Climate programme aims to deliver 76,000 hectares of trees and woodland across England. Photograph: Paul Harris / National Trust Images.

Planting and establishing 20 million trees by 2030

The conservation charity’s partnership with England’s Community Forests directly contributes to its’ commitment to plant and establish 20 million trees by 2030.

In addition to funding from England’s Community Forests Trees for Climate programme through Defra’s Nature for Climate Fund, some projects have received further donations from the National Trust’s Plant a Tree fund and HSBC UK.

These planting projects are also part of a wider success story for all tree planting in England over the past year. The last planting season saw tree planting rates increase by 52 per cent from the previous year – with 5,529 hectares of new woodland planted.  

Project supporters say it marks significant progress towards meeting the Environment Act target of achieving 16.5% tree and woodland cover in England by 2050. 

A network of 15 Community Forests, the England’s Community Forests initiative started over three decades ago and it has been working in partnership with the National Trust since 2021. 

By the end of this spring, a total of 693 hectares (1712 acres) of trees will have been planted on Trust land over the three years of the partnership, creating the equivalent of more than 1,070 football pitches of woody habitats.