A woodland renaissance

Trees have always been a key component of the British landscape, frequently mentioned by Shakespeare, noted throughout history, and adding structure, content and texture to our countryside.

Tree planting is a way to combat climate change, increase biodiversity, aid mental wellbeing and generate commercial opportunities.

In light of this, it has been pushed to the forefront in recent years, with farmers, land and estate owners encouraged to get involved. Many different planting schemes are available, and finding the right one can be overwhelming.

Some work alongside Environmental Land Management schemes, while others are completely independent; some help with the initial idea, others cover entire projects.

CLA member The National Forest is the latter. Covering 200 square miles of Leicestershire, Staffordshire and Derbyshire, it is a daring environmental initiative that aims to restore what was one of the country’s least wooded areas.

Local communities had lost their identities following the closure of coal and clay extraction mines, leaving people living and working in a dark landscape. With support from the public and following a competitive process launched by the government in the late 1980s, the area was chosen as the site of a new multi-purpose forest.

At its heart was an ambition to reconnect two ancient forests: Charnwood in the east and Needwood in the west, creating the first broadleaf forest in England in 900 years. The National Forest leads the demonstration, showing how trees can be used to enhance regeneration and help in the fight against climate change, creating sustainability for those working and living there.

It’s been 30 years since the project was launched, and the landscape has changed dramatically. Thanks to a diverse range of creative landowners, sympathetic management and innovative planting, new areas of woodland have been created.

The relationship between The National Forest and landowners has allowed for close working, supporting the planting of 9.5m trees that have transformed 8,500ha. Tree coverage has increased significantly from 6% in 1991 to more than 25%, including 2,500ha of non-woodland habitat.

Such success has been achieved through impartial, expert advice and several grants offering funding up to 100% of the required cost for areas ranging from as little as 0.25ha up to landscape-scale projects. These support a greener economy, food security, healthier communities and environmental stewardship, and help farmers and landowners to diversify their businesses.

While it starts with trees, it isn’t all about tree planting. A range of themes are covered, from recreation and sport to arts and crafts to nature conservation and environmental education, helping to diversify the business opportunities in the forest.

Moving towards maturity, younger trees within The National Forest will take over from older ones, ensuring continuity for future generations. Now a hive for tourism, the forest attracts 8.1m visitors a year, adding a significant economic boost to the area and encouraging spending locally.

It also provides much-needed green space for the people who live and work in the area. The team at The National Forest is passionate about its work and is helping to advise other projects in the hope that their success can be replicated up and down the country

The Deer Park, owned by Lesley and Charles Prince, is the epitome of farming meeting sustainability. In 2015, the couple decided to diversify their dairy farm by creating a café, farm shop and 5km deer park walk.

Delivering on their economic, social and environmental goals, they opened just after the first lockdown in 2020, encouraging people to get their daily exercise and buy food and drink from the shop.

Funding was granted for 15,500 trees to create shelterbelts and the deer park walk, along with 3.5km of deer fencing, helping to ensure sustainability for the couple’s diversified business.

Aftercare and support to landowners is very important to The National Forest, from advising on an idea and helping landowners with their next steps, to supporting ongoing woodland management and growing the woodland economy and contractor base to provide more options for those entering schemes.

In 2000, CLA members Michael and Melissa Stanton decided to put part of their former dairy farm into a forest creation scheme with assistance from The National Forest.

Michael says: “It was a huge learning curve; Melissa and I knew very little about trees. The National Forest were invaluable in lending advice and expertise to our project.”

Their business has gone from strength to strength, allowing them to diversify into an equestrian centre that offers long-distance rides in the forest. They have added a campsite, showground and wedding venue, and now that the forest is established, can start logging for biomass.

Rob Cleaver, Forest Creation Manager at The National Forest, adds: “Michael was one of the earliest private landowners to create woodland at scale, this was a brave decision with The National Forest only in its fifth planting season and few examples to inspire them.”