We need more trees for people and nature.

Trees Outside Woodland are the trees you come across most often; trees in parks, open countryside, carparks, school grounds and those that quietly enhance our food production on farms.

These trees bring a multitude of benefits, they are enjoyed by more people, contribute more to habitat connectivity, and provide more ecosystem services than the same number of trees in a woodland. These include precious species such as the English oak tree (a tree home to over 2300 species²). They are also essential for climate mitigation, they are the trees most likely to cool down cities and slow floodwater on farms.

² Oak trees and wildlife – Woodland Trust

This project aims to investigate the ‘understudied’ opportunities for more trees. On this project, our partnership investigated the effective establishment of trees in a variety of non-woodland settings, locations or methods often thought too difficult or costly – such as farms and areas with degraded soil in cities.

We intend the results of this project will feed directly into local authority knowledge and strategic planning, to help establish more trees in a variety of locations in a cost effective way.

We have worked hard to create a series of resources which can share our learnings in an easy and accessible way, leaving you with the time to establish more trees.

Nick Rowles, Shropshire County Council

I led on the Trees on Farms pilot, focusing on agroforestry. My background ranges from natural education to international tree protection. I studied agroforestry almost 30 years ago when no one had heard of it! Fast forward to today and I have enabled the planting of 30,000 trees on farms in Shropshire. I feel strongly we have made a tangible contribution to bringing agroforestry into mainstream farming and helping to combat climate change.

Emma Cross, Norfolk County Council

I led on the Community Tree Nursery pilot. I’m proud of everything the volunteers have achieved at our Gressenhall Community Tree Nursery – it’s great to see the site transformed form a field to a nursery full of trees that they’ve grown from seed. I’d love to see more local authorities consider supporting their local community tree nurseries– this could be with advice, land, grants or buying trees from them!

Louise Butfoy, Kent County Council

I led on the urban trees pilot, including the adapted Miyawaki method. I have always felt happiest when I’m amongst nature, and studied Wildlife Conservation and Biodiversity at university. I always feel very proud when I take visitors to see our Miyawaki trial plot at Park Wood, Maidstone. The look on their faces when they first see the size of the trees, it’s a great feeling to leave them speechless.

Ben Norwood, Cornwall Council

I led on the Trees on Farms pilot, focusing on trees in a farmed landscape. Before this, I worked for 14 years at the National Trust as an Area Ranger, I have a MSc in Forestry from Bangor University and am currently secretary for the Cornwall Ancient Tree Forum. I have loved being able to help communities, local businesses and smaller landowners in Cornwall with their tree planting ambitions – developing and supporting relationships with those wanting to plant and look after trees is crucial.

Sophie Hamnett, Chichester District Council

I led on the Tree Schemes pilot. I have worked in the environmental sector for the last 13 years and have a MSc in Ecology from University of London. I am so proud of the project and planting 267,000 trees including 65,000 in Chichester District. I’d love to see more local authorities being creative in their approach to tree planting. There are so many little pockets of land – field corners, field boundaries and overlooked green spaces that are brilliant spaces for trees, and so many different ways to explore planting trees – Miyawaki, agroforestry, community orchards, in hedge and in field trees.