Tree-planting project brings the beauty and benefits of woodland to your doorstep
After an encouraging start to its MOREwoods initiative, the Woodland Trust is pleased to invite more landowners to experience the beauty and benefits of woodland. The focus is on planting trees for wood fuel, wildlife and as an integral part of farming.
Last winter the Woodland Trust helped landowners to plant 67 hectares (165 acres) of new native woodland in Northern Ireland. The charity’s MOREwoods package provides help and advice, while Forest Service offers financial support.
Stewart and Kirstie Cameron from Randalstown are just two of an increasing number of landowners enjoying the fruits of their tree planting efforts. Over seven hectares (18 acres) of native woodland now grace the fields overlooking the family home.
Their 15,000 broadleaf trees – mostly oak, with scatterings of rowan, birch, hazel and alder – were planted two years ago and already tower over the couple’s three children.
“There’s a lack of woodland in the area and we’re really fortunate to now have a thriving young wood right on our doorstep. It’s a haven for wildlife, and seems to have received the seal of approval from some of our favourite birds,” said Stewart, a tree surgeon and part-time farmer.
“It’s also very much a legacy; something that our children will manage and benefit from in years to come.”
Northern Ireland fares badly when it comes to woodland, with just over six per cent woodland cover, compared to the UK average of 12 per cent and the European average of 44 per cent. The Trust has an aspiration to double native woodland cover over the next 50 years, but stresses that it can’t do it alone.
Jackie Morgan, the Trust’s Advice and Partnership Manager, said: “We hope that others will be inspired to take a leaf out of the Cameron’s book. We’re offering comprehensive advice and support, and the emphasis is on making it easy for landowners to experience the many benefits of woodland. Thanks to Forest Service’s Woodland Grant Scheme, funding is available for those planting half an acre or more.”
With almost four decades of expertise in woodland creation, the Woodland Trust cites compelling reasons for landowners to plant more trees: including their ability to provide shelter and shade for livestock, harbour wildlife, prevent flooding, improve water and air quality and produce sustainable supplies of wood fuel.
To find out more call 08452 935 689; email woodlandcreation@woodlandtrust.org.uk; or visit www.MoreTreesMoreGood.org.uk
Notes to editors
For media enquiries contact:
Kaye Coates at the Woodland Trust’s Bangor Office on 028 9127 5787; email kayecoates@woodlandtrust.org.uk or
The Woodland Trust Press Office on 01476 581121; email media@woodlandtrust.org.uk
The Woodland Trust:
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. It has 300,000 members and supporters.
The Trust has three key aims: i) to enable the creation of more native woods and places rich in trees ii) to protect native woods, trees and their wildlife for the future iii) to inspire everyone to enjoy and value woods and trees
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres). Access to its sites is free.
Here in Northern Ireland the Woodland Trust cares for 51 woods. These woods contain a mix of recently planted woodland, mature woodland and ancient woodland (that’s land continuously wooded since at least 1600). We have recently produced the first-ever comprehensive record of Northern Ireland’s ancient woodland; find out more at www.backonthemap.org.uk