Planting project reaches its 250,000 tree target

A pioneering community tree project has surpassed its target of planting a quarter of a million trees in Devon.

Saving Devon’s Treescapes was established in 2021 with the aim of restoring huge losses of tree cover caused by the devastating plant disease known as ash dieback. It targeted the replacement of trees outside of woodlands – including hedges, individual trees and orchards. It’s estimated that Devon will lose more than 80% of the many thousands of ash trees, some more than 100 years old.

Saving Devon’s Treescapes was led by the charity Devon Wildlife Trust on behalf of the Devon Ash Dieback Resilience Forum and was supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, One Tree Planted, the Woodland Trust and other partners including Devon County Council, East Devon Council and FWAG South West.

Farmland, parks, gardens, school grounds and community spaces have all benefited from the free trees distributed by the project. All the young trees were native kinds including oaks, hazels, spindle and hornbeam among many other species. Many of the saplings were grown from wild seeds collected in Devon and grown in the project’s two volunteer run tree nurseries – one at Broadclyst in east Devon and the other at Meeth Quarry nature reserve in north Devon.

Saving Devon’s Treescapes Project formally closes at the end of March after the completion of its funding, but it leaves behind a legacy in the shape of more than 250,000 young trees which will grow to benefit people and wildlife for decades to come.

Devon Wildlife Trust’s Michael Rogers has managed the Saving Devon’s Treescapes Project during its last 18 months. Michael said:

“I have worked on landscape-scale conservation projects for nearly two decades, from coastal grasslands on the north coast of Scotland to the dunes of the Carmarthenshire coast in south Wales – however it’s Saving Devon’s Treescapes that has had the biggest impact on me personally and has probably had the most impact on biodiversity too!  

This project has been an incredible success, nurturing and planting more than 250,000 trees, but the real impact will be in several years when those communities and landowners who have been inspired by us to plant or grow their own trees continue the work we started here. That is why this project will have a lasting influence – one that is invaluable in our constant efforts to preserve Devon’s habitats and the species that depend on them for future generations.”

Saving Devon’s Treescapes has touched the lives of hundreds of people having worked with volunteers and communities in every corner of the county.

Alongside tree planting, the project coordinated citizen science projects including an annual Devon Bat Survey and training more than 250 people to record lichens across the countryside. These projects have proved vital in providing important data about key wildlife which have been impacted by the loss of ash trees.

The project has also been able to show off its creative side. It staged public art workshops and commissioned photographer Robert Darch to create a unique photographic record of the landscapes affected by ash dieback and their regeneration through the project (see attached image).

Florence has been volunteering with Saving Devon’s Treescapes for the more than two years. Florence described the impact of the project on her:

“Before volunteering at Saving Devon’s Treescapes’ Broadclyst tree nursery, I had little experience in the nature sector and had never planted a tree in my life. Now I intend to make it my career!

At the nursery, I’ve seen trees go from seed to sapling and have helped them throughout. The nursery has provided the opportunity for me to learn new skills, both from other volunteers and DWT staff. I’ve met like-minded people, spent time outdoors, and cemented my career ambitions: namely, to work at a tree nursery in aid of replenishing our natural world with native tree species. I have found that I truly enjoy every part of the process. Now I’m excited to continue sowing, processing, and planting to aid nature’s recovery!”

Although the Saving Devon’s Treescapes Project is now closing people can find out more about its work and that of Devon Wildlife Trust at www.devonwildlifetrust.org/saving-devons-treescapes

Florence, a volunteer at Saving Devon’s Treescapes Broadclyst tree nursery. Photo copyright Robert Darch (All Rights Reserved)

 Felling diseased ash trees at Devon Wildlife Trust’s Marsland nature reserve, north Devon. Photo copyright Robert Darch (All Rights Reserved)