Thousands of new trees to be planted in the Dales
MORE THAN 100,000 trees are expected to be planted to create 38 new woodlands across the Yorkshire Dales this winter.
In total, the new trees will cover 185 acres as part of a drive to double the amount of broadleaf woodlands in the Dales by 2020.
At Mearbeck Farm near Settle, almost 25 acres will be planted with 11,000 new trees ranging from sessile oak, common alder and goat willow to downy birch, rowan, aspen, scots pine, holly, hazel and hawthorn, where they will improve biodiversity and enhance the landscape.
Charity the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT), the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, the Forestry Commission and the Woodland Trust are joining forces to carry out the planting as part of The Dales Woodland Restoration Programme.
Carol Douglas, the YDMT’s woodland officer, said: “The UK is one of the least wooded countries in Europe, and the Yorkshire Dales has less woodland than any other National Park in the UK. Thanks to the support of landowners, partners and local communities, these young trees will grow to enrich the landscape and provide important habitats for our wildlife.”
The charity is also working with the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on another scheme to support bird species by planting more than 9,000 trees in plots near Pateley Bridge and Lofthouse. Trees will also be planted in gills to reduce erosion and improve water quality at Scar House Reservoir.
Smaller tree-planting projects are also taking place over the winter near Ripon, Richmond, Ingleton, Sedbergh, Skipton and York.