Community effort plants new woodland on Cheshire farm

Volunteers, including residents and a local Cubs and Beavers group, have been helping to plant several sections of new woodland on a farm near Malpas.

Volunteers helping to plant trees at the Malpas community planting event.

The community planting event at Lower Moss Farm was organised by farming advisers Elm Associates and The Mersey Forest, who have supported the landowner to plant over 6,000 trees on the site.

Jane Atkinson, farm conservation adviser at Elm Associates, said: “The tree planting on this site is part of a wider conservation plan for the farm. It has been designed to link together semi ancient woodland and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, connecting habitats and creating wildlife corridors, as well as protect the farmland from soil erosion.

Volunteers at Malpas community planting day.

"The turn-out from the local community was fantastic. They all worked really hard to get the trees in the ground which will continue to benefit the local area for years to come.”

The project has been funded through The Mersey Forest’s Trees for Climate programme, part of the government-led Nature for Climate Fund which supports England’s Tree Action Plan.

A young volunteer helping to plant one of the tree saplings.

The programme can fund up to all tree planting costs, plus 15 years maintenance payments. The Mersey Forest’s experienced woodland advisers can provide landowners with as much support as they need throughout the planning, funding and planting process.

Paul Nolan, director of The Mersey Forest, said: “As the area's local Community Forest it is great to be involved in projects such as this, where the community are helping to create a woodland that will not only benefit the farm but also the local wildlife and surround area.

“Getting out in nature benefits us all and trees can play a major role in boosting the health and wellbeing of our neighbourhoods, as well as helping areas adapt to a changing climate.”

A volunteer securing biodegradable tree guards at the community planting day.

Biodegradable tree guards have been used at this site to protect the growing trees from damage by browsing wildlife, providing them with the best chance to establish into a thriving woodland.

All trees planted in Cheshire and Merseyside are helping to grow The Mersey Forest and the larger Northern Forest, which stretches from Liverpool to the Yorkshire coast.

Landowners who are interested in transforming their land with trees, whether they have a small pocket of unused land or several hectares of non-productive farmland, are encouraged to get in touch with The Mersey Forest ahead of next year’s planting season (October to March).

Visit merseyforest.org.uk/planttrees for more information.