Contents
Have a look at our Autumn 2023 newsletter for the latest project updates
The Forestry Commission have made a Woodland Creation Support Map which shows how we are all working together to plant trees.
Forest for Cornwall aims to support everyone to plant trees across Cornwall. This includes everything from planting a whole woodland to...
- individual trees in gardens
- hedgerows
- urban trees
- parks
- trees on farms, including agroforestry
- and orchards
Planting trees brings multiple benefits including:
Air - Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen back into the air – we need trees to breathe! They also help to reduce noise pollution, and filter pollutants out of the air by trapping them on their leaves and bark.
Water - trees intercept rainfall, store water, and slow surface water. This helps to prevent flooding and pollutants from reaching rivers and the sea.
Climate – your trees will help to tackle the effects of climate change - see below for more information.
Economy – trees provide timber for building, wood fuel and fruits. All of these provide sustainable business opportunities.
Wellbeing - trees shield us from cancer-causing ultra-violet rays and provide natural shade in our towns and villages. Access to woodland and trees in urban green spaces has also been shown to greatly improve mental and physical health.
Wildlife - Trees provide food, homes and shelter for birds, mammals and insects in all our local greenspaces. These include parks, verges, playgrounds, hedgerows and paths.
People and Place – supporting communities to create wooded landscapes. Helping them to meet local needs and aspirations.
Education – providing training and knowledge sharing to support adults and children. Helping them to learn how to grow, plant and maintain trees in our schools and communities
Agriculture - Trees can help repair the soil when planted on contaminated ground. They can help improve soil condition on agricultural fields. They also provide a shelter, shade and beneficial feed for livestock, as well as being an alternative crop.
Future Heritage - Trees provide memorable landscape features which add to our sense of place. For example, the ‘Nearly Home Trees’ just before the Cornwall border on the A30. Future generations will benefit in many ways from trees that you plant.
Forest for Cornwall projects will always take the following in to consideration:
- wildlife habitats
- heritage
- landscape character
- land use
This is so that we protect and enhance our existing surroundings.
This video shows well known Cornish artist Kurt Jackson describing the benefits of planting trees, creating woodland habitats and their importance for our wellbeing.
Climate Change
Forest for Cornwall is the flagship project of the Climate Change Action Plan (July 2019). The declaration of a climate emergency by Cornwall Councillors led to the creation of the plan. This looks at how how Cornwall can reduce carbon emissions. The aim is to work towards becoming carbon neutral by 2030. The Environmental Growth Strategy has been drawn up to address this.
Carbon dioxide contributes to climate change. Trees and woodlands take carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and lock it into the wood for the life of the tree. This is also called Carbon Drawdown. On land, trees and woodlands are the most efficient at drawdown. Other habitats will also contribute alongside trees. These include wildflower meadows and marine eelgrass.
Two other Cornwall Council projects are also supporting the work of Cornwall’s Environmental Growth Strategy
They are making very valuable contributions to Cornwall Councils' carbon neutral initiative. For example:
- providing energy reduction options such as electric car charging points
- improving public green spaces in Cornish towns