More than 23,000 new trees for South Downs National Park this winter
More than 23,000 trees are being planted this winter across the South Downs National Park to help wildlife flourish and increase resilience to climate change.
Scores of trees are going into the ground at 20 new sites across Sussex and Hampshire.
It’s yet another big step forward as the Trees for the Downs campaign edges closer to its target of planting 100,000 trees across the region. The initiative was launched exactly four years ago and this new phase of planting will mean well over 60,000 new trees across 114 different sites.
The tree planting is restoring those lost to pests and diseases, including Ash Dieback and Dutch Elm Disease, as well as creating new habitat for wildlife and amenity value for local communities. The trees are a mixture of diseaseresistant elm trees and native species, such as oak and black poplar, and sites include schools, farms, recreation grounds and historic parks.
The planting has been made possible by generous donations from the public and businesses to the South Downs National Park Trust, the official independent charity for the National Park. A boost came from The American Express Foundation’s grant to National Parks UK, part of which went to Trees for the Downs and meant 5,000 trees could be planted. American Express colleagues also provided volunteering support.
Around £230,000 has been raised so far and further donations will mean even more trees can be planted. It comes as research from the Woodland Trust shows one third of all woodland species in the UK are in decline and one in 10 is at risk of extinction.
Nick Heasman, a Countryside and Policy Manager for the National Park, said: “Our treescape supports a wealth of wildlife, from rare insects, to nesting birds and complex fungi. They also give us air to breathe, with a single mature tree producing enough oxygen in a year to sustain 10 people.
“However, our wonderful trees are under unprecedented threat from an ever-increasing number of pests and diseases, as well as climate change.
“They’re under threat from climate change, but trees are also part of solution as the ultimate carbon capturer. The entire woodland ecosystem plays a massive role in locking up carbon, including the wood, roots, leaves, soils and associated plants.
“Increasing the number and diversity of our native trees, and carefully introducing new species into the landscape, is going to be a big help in responding to all these threats and also helping to reverse biodiversity loss.
“By the end of this winter, we’ll have planted over 60,000 trees as part of Trees for the Downs and it’s something we can all be proud of. None of it would have been possible without the support of local communities and businesses who have gone the extra mile to give back to nature and I’d like to say a big ‘thank you’."
To donate to Trees for the Downs visit https://southdowns. enthuse.com/treesforthedowns#!/
To make an application for potential tree planting next year, visit https://southdownstrust.org.uk/ trees-for-the-downs-fund/ The deadline for applications is 29 February, 2024.