Tree Planting
Creating new native woodlands
We’re a White Rose Forest partner. That means we’re doing our bit to help plant more trees in Yorkshire. But we need your help.
Do you own land within the River Holme catchment, where we can potentially plant trees and/or new hedgerows? If so, please get in touch.
The White Rose Forest is the community forest for North and West Yorkshire. Their aim is to plant more trees and woodland across our region by working in partnership with local authorities, landowners, business and communities. Through the White Rose Forest, we’ve received funding from Trees for Climate. This means that we can supply and plant trees within our catchment area, free of charge.
To be considered, your land can be anywhere within our catchment; it doesn’t have to be near a stream or river. We do have to make sure we’re planting the right tree in the right place, though and it’s very important that we don’t damage existing, sensitive habitats. These can include species rich grasslands and important ground nesting bird areas.
Benefits for all
Planting native trees will improve the environment for people and for wildlife. Trees capture carbon, which helps in the fight against climate change. Trees can also help prevent flooding, provide shelter and food for animals, and create healthier rivers. Green and blue outdoor space is also good for our health and wellbeing. Having access to countryside, trees and rivers and contact with nature is proven to improve our physical and mental health.
Can you help?
Do you own land with the River Holme catchment?
As you can see from the map, our catchment area starts in the moors of the Peak District, and flows in a northerly direction to the confluence of the River Holme and River Colne at Lockwood. It includes a number of tributaries, that flow through New Mill, Brockholes, Honley and Meltham. You can see the map in more detail here.
If the answer is yes and you can:
- Offer at least half an acre of land (0.2 ha) – about half the size of a football pitch – for planting at least 300 trees;
- Or 50 metres of non-residential land for hedgerow planting.
Please get in touch with our team to see if your land is suitable for tree planting.
Our promise to you
- You won’t pay a penny – if your land is deemed suitable for planting, we’ll provide the native trees and hedge plants, stakes, and protective tubes. We’ll also provide the workforce to plant the trees and hedge plants on your behalf.
- We’ll do the maintenance – one of the best parts about this project is that we have funding to provide ongoing maintenance support for at least 2 years. That means we’ll visit your site to carry out weed control and replace any dead trees.
If you’re interested, email riversteward@riverholmeconnection.org with your name, postcode, approximate amount of potential land available and, if possible, the land GPS coordinates.
When will we plant your trees and hedges?
The optimum time for planting trees and hedges is November to March, and is weather dependent.
What trees and hedges will we plant?
All trees and hedges that we plant will be native to the area. In other words, we’ll plant species that would naturally occur in the region and have evolved to support a wealth of animal and plant life.
The following species are native to our region, which is a mix of upland and lowland environments:
- Silver birch
- Downy birch
- Hawthorn
- Hazel
- Holly
- Rowan
- Silver birch
- Oak – sessile
- Oak – English
- Alder
Planting more native trees throughout the catchment – on land or near our rivers and streams – also encourages a healthy, vibrant river environment.
Why planting trees and hedges is important
Forests play a variety of vital roles in keeping the world healthy.
Trees capture carbon
One native tree captures around 0.2 tonnes of carbon dioxide as it grows to maturity, that’s roughly the carbon produced by driving 500 miles.
Trees help with natural flood management
Trees stabilise river banks and reduce the amount of run-off that enters the river directly during periods of heavy rain. This run-off carries sediment and, potentially, pollutants.
Trees help to maintain healthy rivers
Overhanging branches and submerged roots are used by aquatic animals, including trout, as shelter and to hide from predators. Leaves and woody material, deposited into the river by trees, are a primary source of nutrients and food for invertebrates, which in turn are food for fish and birds.
By providing shade during periods of low flows and high air temperature, trees help to reduce water temperature and maintain oxygen in the water, which is vital for life.
Even fallen trees can play a major role in creating a dynamic river. A fallen tree can trap sediment, create scour pools and clean gravels.
