If you have land available within Derbyshire's Heartwood Community Forest boundary area and you're interested in finding out more about our planting schemes, you can read about the process and how to apply.
Take a look at our short videos of some of the planting that has taken place in Derbyshire's Heartwood Community Forest.
Drake’s Wood, Denby
When a syndicate of owners purchased a field to the north of Denby Village, it was purely for the purpose of planting trees. The syndicate chose to partner with Derbyshire’s Heartwood Community Forest to design and manage the planting of the site and the team came up with a design to fill the open space with a combination of woodland block planting and copses.
Project description
More than 9,000 trees were planted on 6.55 hectares of former agricultural land. Species planted included birch, oak, pine, hazel and buckthorn.
Project impact carbon capture
9,060 trees to support carbon sequestration
Nature and biodiversity
Woodland rides have been incorporated into the project design in order to allow nesting, basking and foraging opportunities for a variety of mammals, birds and insects.
Flood mitigation
The new trees will help to prevent soil erosion into nearby water courses, with wetland tree species including Downy Birch, Alder and Goat Willow benefitting from the seasonally wet soils.
Public access and community engagement
The site is fully accessible by use of a public right of way, allowing members of the public to witness first hand the transformation of the area from a species poor grassland into a thriving young woodland.
Health and wellbeing
The proximity of the new woodlandplanting to local communities provides public access, enjoyment of the natural environment and opportunities for improved health and well-being.
Tibshelf
Located at the southern end of the Five Pits Trail at the centre of the Phoenix Greenway, this local green space was part of the former Tibshelf Colliery. It is now used by local communities predominantly for walking and cycling.
A total of 560 trees were planted on 0.266 hectares running alongside the greenway.
Project description
Tibshelf Greenway was one of the locations chosen for planting from our own estate. The trees planted were mostly woodland edge species to benefit local wildlife, particularly butterflies. Species planted include buckthorn, maple, elder and birch.
The planting is designed to enhance site for the community by providing a woodland element to the village while retaining the open views of the countryside to the north east of the site.
Project impact, carbon capture
560 trees to support carbon sequestration
Nature and biodiversity
Woodland edge species planted to benefit local wildlife, particularly butterflies.
Flood mitigation
Additional trees will help preventflooding on the greenway.
Public access and community engagement
The site is fully accessible by the public and well-used by local communities for walking and cycling.
Health and wellbeing
Further enhances an existing route to encourage more people to get out and about walking and cycling.
The following examples show how tree planting is benefiting people who live in other community forest areas.
Small farm woodland: White Rose Forest
This new wildlife woodland has a wide shrubby edge with plentiful amounts of berry-producing species. It will also provide autumnal colour when several of the species will turn a vibrant red-orange.
- objectives: habitat provision for wildlife and capturing carbon
- species included: wild cherry, field maple, dogwood, rowan, oak, hazel, bird cherry
- help from the Community Forest: planning and design, supply of trees and labour
Find out more about about the White Rose Forest project.
Large farm woodland: Willey Wood Farm
Six hectares of new woodland was created that will provide the estate with income through carbon sales and timber production.
Funding provided by the Community Forest will also cover the installation of deer fencing and ongoing maintenance to ensure the new trees reach maturity:
- objectives: capturing carbon; timber production
- species included: oak, hornbeam, alder, lime, Norway spruce, Scots pine and shrubs
- help from the Community Forest: planning, design and grant aid
Find our more about the Willey Wood Farm project.
Community woodland: former pitch and putt at Calverton
A native woodland was created in an unused part of a popular local park. The plan was to establish a wildlife haven with plenty of fruit trees that could help to reduce waterlogged conditions and provide a buffer to road noise and pollution.
A high level of support was received from local communities and businesses with nearly 100 people attending 3 community planting days. Almost 800 trees were planted – now the woodland is thriving and already supporting native wildlife.
- objectives: wildlife, water management, noise buffering and carbon capture
- species included: oak, hazel, hornbeam, cherry, crab apple, hawthorn, birch, alder, dog rose and Scots pine
- help from the Community Forest: woodland design and planning and community planting events.
Find out more about the former pitch and putt at Calverton project.