Ambitious woodland plans to fight climate change

Forty thousand trees are being planted on National Trust land on the south coast of Cornwall as part of the charity's plans to plant more than 20 million trees nationally by 2030.

The trust said Cornwall was one of the least wooded counties in the UK and trees were essential for wildlife and carbon capture.

A tree planting day to help plant 1,500 trees was held at the National Trust's Coombe Farm, near Fowey, on Wednesday, which attracted families with children.

Rob Bywater-Drake, area ranger for the trust in south-east Cornwall, said: "We are enhancing and linking the existing habitat features that are already here but are depleted or are in a poor state."

Emily, 10, has been planting holly, blackthorn and chestnut and loves trees.

"It brings shade and they're pretty and they're good for the environment," she said.

Her mother Trudie said: "I reckon, between us, we've planted about 20 trees this morning and we've only been here just over an hour so we're doing well."

"My grandad used to farm some of the land here as well so it will be lovely for the kids to see all the trees growing, glad to be involved today," she said.

Emily's friend Hastings said: "Trees make excellent homes for wildlife and are very good for the environment."

Andy Simmons, National Trust lead ranger for south-east Cornwall, said: "We have an incredible team of volunteers who come out in all weathers to really make a difference and we are so grateful for their time.

"Not only will the new woodlands help to combat climate change, they will also provide invaluable refuges for some of our favourite woodland species such as the dormouse, barn owl and adder.

"We're delighted with how well this project is going and we're looking forward to planting thousands more trees this winter and over the next three years."

Volunteers recently spent the day restaking and replanting about 1,000 saplings at Lansallos that had been hit by Storm Darragh.

More than 11,000 trees have already been planted at Lansallos with a further 6,000 being planted this winter at Coombe Farm, adding to the 6,000 trees planted last year.

A further 17,600 saplings will begin to be planted at Lanteglos next winter and planting will continue there for the next three years.

In total, more than 30 hectares (74 acres) of woodland will be created across the three projects.

A National Trust spokesperson said: "At Lansallos, the saplings are being planted behind the village and between existing woodlands to create a bigger swathe of woodland which will benefit nature.

"It will also be accessible to walkers who will be able to use existing rights of way and new permissive footpaths."

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