Tree planting gathers pace as Derbyshire’s Heartwood Community Forest branches out

Councillor Carol Wood, pictured centre, surrounded by newly planted trees with Tibshelf landowner Cat Howourth, right, and woodland creation officer Iaian Stafford

Thousands of trees are being planted across Derbyshire now the second planting season of the county’s ambitious Derbyshire’s Heartwood Community Forest is well underway.

Derbyshire’s Heartwood Community Forest is a long term programme led by Derbyshire County Council to increase tree cover across eastern and southern Derbyshire and Derby.

Tree planting helps to improve biodiversity, prevent flooding, provide soil stability and shelter for livestock, and create healthier, greener places for people to live, work and visit.

Through a Government funded grants scheme, landowners, farmers, schools and community groups can apply for 100% funding toward woodland creation, hedgerow planting and ongoing maintenance for up to 15 years.

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural planting season, this year the council will plant more than 80,000 trees across 60 hectares of diverse landscapes — from farms and school grounds to urban green spaces and riverside habitats.

Dozens of sites are demonstrating the growing interest from landowners of all sizes—from smallholdings and school fields to large agricultural and heritage estates.

As the new season begins, the council is now encouraging additional landowners with space suitable for tree planting, however small or large, to get in touch ahead of future planting seasons.

Councillor Carol Wood, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Net Zero and Environment, said: “It’s inspiring to see so many landowners, schools and community groups joining us for the second season of Derbyshire’s Heartwood Community Forest.

“Every new tree planted helps to strengthen Derbyshire’s natural environment, support wildlife and improve the places where people live.

“We’re making fantastic progress but are always looking for more sites. Whether you manage farmland, run a business or community space, or simply have a corner of land that could support new trees, our fully funded grants make it easy to get involved.”

The following Erewash sites are included in the 2025/26 planting programme – for more details visit www.derbyshire.gov.uk/heartwood2026:

• Hayeswood Farm, Stanley Common
• Springfield Park, Sandiacre
• Upperdown Meadow, Draycott
• West Hallam Playing Fields, Ilkeston
• Breaston Farm, Breaston,
  

Full details on Derbyshire’s Heartwood Community Forest and how to apply for support can be found on the Derbyshire County Council website.

Derbyshire’s Heartwood Community Forest is supported through England’s Community Forests’ Trees for Climate Fund, part of the Government’s Nature for Climate programme.