News

This winter, the National Trust and England's Community Forests are working in partnership to create around 519 hectares (1,282 acres) of new woodlands and woody habitats across England, equivalent in size to more than 800 football pitches.
 

This ambitious series of planting projects has been funded and supported by England's Community Forests' Trees for Climate programme, part of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs' (Defra) Nature for Climate Fund. Thanks to £7.1 million in funding, a total of 20 planting projects will be completed on land across England, the majority of which is cared for by the conservation charity, with some of the largest in Devon, Gloucestershire, Yorkshire and Merseyside.
 

By the end of March, almost 416,000 trees will have been planted to establish new woodlands, wood pasture, hedgerows and orchards. 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 78 hectares (192.7 acres) with nearly 93,000 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.
 

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, an impressive 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 over 1,070 football pitches of vital woody habitats.
 

John Deakin, the National Trust head of Trees and Woodland said: "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.
 

"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."
 

At Buckland Abbey in Devon, over 30,000 trees are being planted in the tranquil Tavy Valley working 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 Killerton, also in Devon, the National Trust is working in partnership with Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest with funding from the Trees for Climate programme to establish and restore 93 hectares (230 acres) of woodland and wood pasture. The establishment of 69,000 trees will improve the estate for wildlife, people and the planet.
 

Collaboration is at the heart of the woodland creation project at Killerton, with a network of volunteer and community groups, schools and local people joining in tree planting events. The planned addition of 6.9km of permissive paths plus improvements to existing muddy paths across the estate will significantly improve 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.
 

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.
 

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

Defra Forestry Minister Mary Creagh added: "This government is committed to protecting and restoring nature, and trees are at the forefront of our plans to reduce emissions. We recently launched a dedicated Tree Planting Taskforce and have pledged up to £400 million for tree planting and peatland restoration over the current and next financial year.
 

"Alongside National Trust and our partners at England Community Forests, we are creating new woodlands that will bring communities and woodlands closer together for generations to come."
 

The conservation charities' 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. This marks significant progress towards meeting the Environment Act target of achieving 16.5% tree and woodland cover in England by 2050.

 

Trees are incredible! They are some of the oldest and most important living things on our planet, helping both people and wildlife in so many ways. We've been championing the importance of trees for our communities over the last 30 years, and during this year's Tree Week we are exploring why trees are so special and why we should work together to protect them and increase tree cover across our area.

Why are trees important?

1. They help us breathe
   Trees give us oxygen – the air we breathe. During the day, trees take in a gas called carbon dioxie (which we breathe out) and turn it into fresh, clean oxygen. Without trees, we wouldn't have enough air to live.
2. Homes for wildlife
   Trees are like hotels for animals. Birds build nests in their branches, squirrels hide acorns in their trunks, and insects live in their bark. Even after a tree falls, it becomes a home for creatures like hedgehogs and bugs.
3. Cool and comfortable
   Have you ever sat in the shade of a tree on a hot day? Trees help cool the air by giving shade and releasing water through their leaves, keeping our planet from getting too hot. This is one of the reasons it is important to plant plenty of trees in our towns and cities.
4. Healthy and happy
   Being around trees can make us feel calm and happy. Scientists have discovered that spending time near trees can reduce stress and make people healthier. That's why parks and woodlands are great places to visit or even the trees or forest school area in your school grounds.

What can you do to help trees?

• Plant a tree
  You don't need a forest to make a difference - planting even one tree in your garden or school can help. You can plant trees all year round, but it's beneficial to plant them in the winter while they are dormant.
• Care for trees
  Water young trees during dry weather, and be careful not to damage their bark. Now is a good time to put some well composted wood mulch around your trees, make sure not to bury the stem though.
• Be a tree champion
  Tell your friends and family how awesome trees are and why we need to look after them.

Resources for teachers

If you're a teacher, there are plenty of fun and educational materials to help your students learn about trees.

• Trees for Learning
  Explore the Trees for learning toolkit filled with activities, tips, and ideas for teaching children about trees.
• The Tree Council's Resources
  Visit the Tree Council website for games, challenges, and projects designed for schools.
• Download our quiz!
  Test your knowledge about trees with our downloadable quiz - perfect for classroom activities. Download it here.
  • Download the teacher's version with answers

Recommended books

Explore the magic of trees through these captivating books, tailored to inspire pupils of all ages.

Primary age recommended:

• The Lorax by Dr. Seuss – This classic tale highlights the importance of trees, showing the devastating effects of a world without them. It encourages us to care enough to make a positive change for the planet.
• The Oak Tree by Julia Donaldson – Follow the life of an oak tree, from a tiny seed to its final moments, as it witnesses the world change around it. A beautiful story about the importance of trees in our environment.
• The Promise by Nicola Davies – This powerful story of a young girl and a bag of stolen acorns shows how even small actions, like planting a tree, can bring hope and transform communities for generations to come.

Secondary school in-depth reading:

• The Man Who Planted Trees by Jean Giono – This short story illustrates how one person's daily dedication to planting trees can transform both their life and the world around them.
• The Wild Trees by Richard Preston – Discover the true story of a man who climbed one of the world's tallest trees and became captivated by trees, dedicating his life to their study.
• Wildwood: A Journey Through Trees by Roger Deakin – A global journey to understand humanity's deep connection with trees, exploring the natural and spiritual significance they hold.

Prompting thought:

• Belonging by Jeannie Baker – Through stunning illustrations, this wordless picture book shows how trees can transform a neighbourhood and brighten our world with the changing seasons.

Encourage your students to delve into these stories and discover the vital role trees play in our lives, sparking curiosity, understanding, and a deeper appreciation for nature!
Further reading incorporating trees:

• Tree by Britta Teckentrup
• The Magic and Mystery of Trees – RHS
• Meetings with Remarkable Trees
• The Night Life of Trees - Tara Books
• The Hidden Life of Trees – Peter Wohlleben
• The Tree: meaning and myth – Frances Carey
• Magic Faraway Tree collection - Enid Blyton
• 13 Storey Treehouse books
• How to be more Tree - Annie Davidson
• Leaf by Niggle – Prof JRR Tolkien

Trees are amazing, and we can all play a part in protecting them. Whether you're planting a sapling or learning about the trees in your school grounds, every small action helps. Let's create greener and vibrant communities across Cheshire and Merseyside, one tree at a time. 

A new natural flood management (NFM) project in the Whitewell Brook Catchment, near Rossendale has secured a share of the Environment Agency's £25m National NFM Programmes funding, providing vital investment to help alleviate flood risk in the area.

The project, led by Mersey Forest through Community Forest Trust, will receive over £198,000 through the national programme and will be used to help two communities at risk of flooding within the Whitewell Brook catchment – Forest Holme and Lumb, plus Whitewell and Piercy. In total an estimated 77 residential properties and 42 business properties in the area, that are at risk of flooding, will benefit.

The project aims to reduce local flood risk to these communities using NFM techniques which protect, restore and mimic natural river functions, slowing peak flows and temporarily storing flood water in the landscape, resulting in reduced flooding in communities at risk downstream.

The project will focus on introducing NFM interventions on three farms on both sides of the Whitewell Brook valley and aims to deliver:

• 10 clay core earth bunds to temporarily store water behind, slowly releasing stored water over a 24-48hr period following heavy rainfall. These have the added benefit of increasing the extent of wet grassland/wetland habitat which should be beneficial to many species including wading birds.
• 23 living leaky barriers in watercourses to interrupt and slow peak flows and temporarily store water. These use locally sourced timber wood to create the equivalent of a natural dam to interrupt and slow peak flows and temporarily store water.  The addition of woody material to watercourses also provides excellent habitat for fish and invertebrates and increases diversity of flows which is beneficial to many species.
• One storage pond and seven scrapes (shallow depressions excavated to collect and hold water), providing temporary storage and improved aquatic/wetland habitat.
• Enhancement to wet grassland in four different areas by encouraging water out of ditches and onto existing low-lying wet areas where it can infiltrate into the soil.

The Mersey Forest will be working with Professor Neil Macdonald from the University of Liverpool's Geography Department to monitor the success of the NFM interventions. Monitoring equipment has already been installed earlier this year to collect baseline data prior to the NFM interventions being constructed. This will allow a comparison of the catchment's hydrological response to rainfall before and after NFM is installed, allowing us to better quantify the effect the interventions have had on the catchment.

Rob Dyer, Natural Flood Management Manager at The Mersey Forest, said: "We're extremely thankful to the three local landowners who approached The Mersey Forest with a desire to help build flood resilience for the communities at risk downstream of their land. Without them, this project would not be possible. We hope this project demonstrates what can be achieved with minimal effect to the landowner's activities and leads to further interest in NFM from other landowners in the wider Upper Irwell catchment. We're also immensely grateful to the Environment Agency's NFM Programme Team for their funding, which has been instrumental in bringing these proposals to life.

"With the increasing effects of climate change on our communities, we are committed to work alongside local landowners, residents and partners to deliver more NFM across the area to maximise flood risk mitigation by working with natural processes."

We've recently launched the Oaks at 80 project which will mark 80 years since the end of World War II with the planting of Oak trees throughout our communities in the Mersey Forest.

Oak trees have traditionally marked 80-year milestones and oak trees also embody strength, resilience and longevity - virtues that resonate deeply with the sacrifices made during World War II and the hopeful spirit of peace that followed.

This project aims to establish a commemorative programme centred on creating a lasting legacy of Oaks planted in new woodlands and as civic trees in our communities, commemorating the sacrifices of so many military and civilian people in our area.

The team launched the project during remembrance weekend, with oak trees being handed out to the community at Calderstone Park in Liverpool on Saturday, 9th November.

A range of activities took place throughout the day, including crafts, storytelling and tours - find out more: 

• The Reader: Oaks at 80 event

Schools have also been encouraged to get involved and collect seeds this autumn to grow on to be planted in our communities to help continue to grow the Mersey Forest. These can be any tree seeds and there are lots of resources about seed gathering on the Tree Council's website.

It's a great opportunity to get out in nature, learn about the benefit of trees and play your part to commemorate the end of World War II, whilst helping to grow the Mersey Forest for future generations to enjoy.

Growing your collected seeds

To grow your seeds, the whole class can collectively plant the collected seeds and look after them through winter, before potting them in spring for us to collect and grow on.

All you'll need is:

• A couple of large planting pots or a builder's bucket
• Soil or peat free compost
• Sharp sand
• Plastic tray
• Paper or hessian bag
• Small bucket
• Wire mesh
• Plastic plant pots or large yogurt pots

See The Tree Council's guide for how to gather and plant your seeds.

• The Tree Council - Growing trees from seed

Follow up activity

The Mersey Forest plant thousands of trees each year and we would love to plant the trees that you have grown. Following The Tree Council's guide, in spring, when you check to see if your seed have germinated, rather than planting your seeds in the ground why not let us plant them for you at a site somewhere within the Mersey Forest. If you would like to be involved in this stage simply follow the stages below and get in contact. We'll then let you know details of a local drop off point to take your saplings for us to grown on for the following winters' planting season.

1. Collect and gather large yogurt pots or large plastic containers and put some small holes in the bottom. Fill these with two-part peat free compost and one-part sharp sand mix and make a hole in the middle of the soil with your finger
2. Empty your seeds from their large pot and find the ones that have roots or a shoot on them and put them in hole you've made in the soil
3. Cover the acorn lightly with soil and gentle press it down before watering thoroughly
4. Put the pots back against a cold north facing wall to germinate further, keep them well watered while they carry on growing
5. Once you have all your seeds potted on, contact us and we will let you know where you can drop them off locally for us to grow them on to be planted in the next winter season.

Treemendous trees!

Trees give us clean air to breathe, provide homes for wildlife and help tackle climate change. In our communities, trees cool our streets, reduce flooding by soaking up rainwater and make our neighbourhoods more beautiful places to live and work. By planting and caring for trees, we're making the world a healthier, greener place for everyone.

As well as collecting seeds this autumn you could also incorporate some fantastic stories about trees into your learning.

Discover the wonder of trees: Recommended books

Explore the magic of trees through these captivating books, tailored to inspire pupils of all ages.

Primary age recommended:

• The Lorax by Dr. Seuss – This classic tale highlights the importance of trees, showing the devastating effects of a world without them. It encourages us to care enough to make a positive change for the planet.
• The Oak Tree by Julia Donaldson – Follow the life of an oak tree, from a tiny seed to its final moments, as it witnesses the world change around it. A beautiful story about the importance of trees in our environment.
• The Promise by Nicola Davies – This powerful story of a young girl and a bag of stolen acorns shows how even small actions, like planting a tree, can bring hope and transform communities for generations to come.

Secondary school in-depth reading:

• The Man Who Planted Trees by Jean Giono – This short story illustrates how one person's daily dedication to planting trees can transform both their life and the world around them.
• The Wild Trees by Richard Preston – Discover the true story of a man who climbed one of the world's tallest trees and became captivated by trees, dedicating his life to their study.
• Wildwood: A Journey Through Trees by Roger Deakin – A global journey to understand humanity's deep connection with trees, exploring the natural and spiritual significance they hold.

Prompting thought:

• Belonging by Jeannie Baker – Through stunning illustrations, this wordless picture book shows how trees can transform a neighbourhood and brighten our world with the changing seasons.

Encourage your students to delve into these stories and discover the vital role trees play in our lives, sparking curiosity, understanding, and a deeper appreciation for nature!

Further reading incorporating trees:

• Tree by Britta Teckentrup
• The Magic and Mystery of Trees – RHS
• Meetings with Remarkable Trees
• The Night Life of Trees - Tara Books
• The Hidden Life of Trees – Peter Wohlleben
• The Tree: meaning and myth – Frances Carey
• Magic Faraway Tree collection - Enid Blyton
• 13 Storey Treehouse books
• How to be more Tree - Annie Davidson
• Leaf by Niggle – Prof JRR Tolkien