Planting a woodland on your land and putting down roots in your local area will help to leave a positive legacy, benefit future generations and provide a home for wildlife. We talk to Cheshire resident, David Martin, about a tree planting project he completed earlier this year in memory of his family.

Environmental documentaries such as Wild Isles have highlighted the importance of protecting nature and how a changing landscape can drastically impact the wildlife that rely on it.

With more of us looking at ways we can take positive steps to address the climate and nature crisis, now is the time to consider planting a woodland on your land.

Cheshire resident, David Martin, bought a converted barn, set in six acres of land, in 2001. He had been considering planting a woodland for some time and, after being told ‘the best time to plant trees was 20 years ago and the next best time is now,’ he was inspired to get started.

“In February last year, my brother was diagnosed with cancer which was likely to be terminal. Events like this make one reflect on the past and also the future,” said David. “That was the trigger I needed: I contacted The Mersey Forest, and a woodland advisor visited me the same day. Sadly, my brother died just after Christmas, but he had encouraged me to get on with planting before it was too late.

“I’d already planted individual trees to commemorate my seven grandchildren and now I have a whole wood for my brother.”

David’s woodland was planted in March this year, on a field on the edge of his garden. A woodland advisor from the Mersey Forest provided advice on the design of the woodland, the tree species that would be suitable for the site and supported him with the grant application.

“I had an idea about which trees I wanted and drew a sketch of a wood with paths and a glade near the middle,” David said.

“The Mersey Forest team took over dealing with the detailed design, obtaining the grant and ordering the trees and planting materials. I now have a field which already looks bigger with the tree guards cosseting the baby oaks, birch, Scots pines and others, hinting at the wood which I can see in my mind’s eye.

“At the age of 73, I have something to look forward to when I am in my nineties and indeed the years between as the saplings take form and the wildlife take advantage of new habitats. I just wish I had done it 20 years ago.”

David received support through the Trees for Climate programme, a government-backed multi-million pound woodland creation programme which supports landowners to integrate trees on their land. The programme is part of the government-led Nature for Climate Fund and is being delivered by England’s Community Forests, 13 organisations providing advice and support to landowners, whether they have a small pocket of unused land or several acres of farmland.

Grants covering up to 100% of tree planting, protection and related infrastructure costs, including tree guards and fencing, can be provided through the programme, along with 15 years of maintenance payments.

The tree planting season runs from November to March each year. If you are interested in planting trees on your land, contact your local Community Forest today to start the process:

For Cheshire and Merseyside contact The Mersey Forest:

www.merseyforest.org.uk/planttrees or email: mail@merseyforest.org.uk

For areas in and around Greater Manchester contact City of Trees:

www.cityoftrees.org.uk/plant-trees or email: team@cityoftrees.org.uk

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