‘Forest’ adds 13 million trees in the North

More than 13 million trees have now taken root in England’s ‘Northern Forest’ in an area that stretches from Liverpool to the Humber estuary, according to new analysis by Liverpool John Moores University.  

More than 738,000 households now have a wooded site within a 15-minute walk of their home, thanks to the long-term investment in nature. 

Established in 2018, the Northern Forest is a partnership between the Woodland Trust, the Community Forest Trust and four of the Community Forests in the north of England – The Mersey Forest, City of Trees (Greater Manchester), the White Rose Forest and Humber Forest, working to plant 50 million trees by 2043.

Planting has taken place in and around cities such as Manchester, Leeds and York and also in rural landscapes like the Peak District. 

10,000 football pitches

Dr Colm Bowe, of LJMU’s Natural Capital Hub, a leading research centre for understanding the environmental, economic and social benefits of nature, said: “Woodland now covers an area equivalent to almost 10,000 football pitches, bringing green spaces to towns and cities, creating habitats for wildlife, and giving people access to woods and trees.

“Trees play a role in supporting people, nature and the economy, helping to tackle climate change, reduce the impact of heatwaves and enhance health and wellbeing.”

To date:    

• The Northern Forest contributes £50 million of economic uplift every year through natural benefits such as flood mitigation, improved air quality and access to nature. 

• New trees provide 2 million cubic metres of flood water storage, reducing the risk of flooding.

• More than 738,000 households have access to at least one wooded site within including 227,000 households in some of the most deprived communities.

• 40,000 tonnes of carbon are being locked up every year by the trees that have been planted, the equivalent to the annual carbon footprint of 29,300 cars.  

In 2018, the North had just 7.6% tree cover, in comparison to a UK average of 13% and also had 15 of the country’s 20 least leafy town and cities.

'Staggering' progress

Nick Sellwood, Northern Forest Programme Director for the Woodland Trust, said: "It is staggering to see what the Northern Forest has already achieved. The many benefits that are already being seen highlight the importance of support from regional decision-makers and central government.

“The commitment shown by the many partners, funders, community groups, businesses, contractors, landowners and volunteers involved in the Northern Forest demonstrates the importance of this programme to people across the region.

Nature Minister Jenny Riddel-Carpenter said: "Tree planting rates are now at the highest level in over 20 years.  We rapidly established a new Tree Planting Taskforce, announced the first of three new national forests and these figures show we are making good progress. 

"There is much more to do – that is why we are investing over £800 million to plant trees across the country as part of our Plan for Change."  

The Northern Forest has been made possible thanks to government support since its establishment, with funding through the second round of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ Trees for Climate programme awarded earlier this year, and led by England’s Community Forests, supporting woodland creation within the Northern Forest until 2030.   

The partnership’s success is also supported by a wide range of national and local organisations, including local authorities, Rivers Trusts, the National Trust, Forestry England, water utility companies and the Forestry Commission. 

For more information about the Northern Forest please visit https://thenorthernforest.org.uk/