The Mersey Forest has a long track record of delivering change. Since the early 1990s, we have been working with communities, landowners and partners to increase tree cover, improve woodland management, and encourage people to get involved. This work is vital for people, nature, and climate.
Our long-term ambition is to reach 30% tree cover across Cheshire and Merseyside. But this is a multi-generational endeavour. We aim to reach 15% tree cover by 2050.
Our impact totaliser below showcases the difference we are making across our area.
10 million
Trees established
This is 4 trees for every person living in Cheshire and Merseyside
3,700
Hectares of woodland created
This is equivalent to 3 Delamere Forests or 15 Knowsley Safari Parks
94
Kilometres of hedgerow planted or restored
That is like driving from Whitchurch to Formby
900
Landowners involved in creating and restoring woodlands
This includes local farmers, councils, hospitals and schools
13.7
Percent of The Mersey Forest covered by trees
Our ambition is for 30%, by 2050 we aim to reach 15%
36
Percent of woodlands sustainably managed
We would like to reach 100%
50,000
People engaged in woodland creation and restoration
This is over the last decade
1.5 million
Tonnes of CO2 stored by the woodlands we have established
This is estimated over their lifetime
32
Percent of households living near accessible woods
This is within 500m of a 0.1ha woodland, and within 4km of a 20ha woodland
The statistics presented here were last updated in January 2025
The map shows where and when trees and woods have been established in Cheshire and Merseyside since the early 1990s.