Expanding existing woodlands, creating new woodland habitats and planting individual trees and hedgerows that are more diverse, thriving and well connected is a key objective of the Forest Plan. We will prioritise tree establishment in areas where it will deliver the most benefits for people, nature and climate, using the latest evidence and mapping to guide our efforts.
Projects will take place on both public and private land across urban, rural and coastal areas. Success depends on landowner engagement, access to suitable land and the availability of support schemes and funding. Balancing land use is essential:
• In rural areas, agricultural land must support both food production and nature recovery.
• In urban and coastal areas, tree planting must be carefully integrated with the need for housing, employment and biodiversity development.
Site Design Approach
Each site is unique. Our design led approach ensures that tree, woodland and hedgerow establishment is tailored to local conditions, landowner needs and long-term sustainability. By carefully evaluating each location, we aim to balance environmental priorities with practical land use, delivering the best outcomes for people, nature and climate.
Site designs consider a wide range of factors, including:
- Landowner preferences and objectives
- Biodiversity, landscape, archaeology and ecology
- Soil health, watercourses and climate resilience
- Long-term impacts of establishment and future land use.
All woodland proposals will adhere to the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) which sets out legal requirements, technical standards and best practices for woodland creation and management.
This ensures that species selection matches local soil, climate and landscape conditions, prioritising native and diverse species to enhance ecological resilience and adaptability to pests, diseases and climate change.
The Right Tree, Right Place, Right Reason, Right Method principle guides all the North East Community Forest planting projects. Whether planting woodlands, street trees, hedgerows or trees outside woodlands, species selection and planting methods are tailored to the specific environment and purpose.
Our plans also incorporate open ground features such as priority grasslands, ponds, rides and glades. These elements enhance biodiversity, create varied habitats and support species that depend on open spaces.
Woodland design will include open areas and habitat features, such as rides, glades and ponds, to provide corridors for wildlife, maintain priority habitats and improve recreational access. Site evaluations will integrate UKFS principles, assessing landscape context, existing land use, biodiversity, soil health, watercourses and ecological connectivity.
Careful site selection is vital for new woodland creation. Existing biodiversity must be assessed to avoid harming protected sites, non-wooded open priority habitats, species reliant on open landscapes and peat soils. Poorly planned woodland creation can damage these habitats and species, so we will work closely with relevant government agencies to ensure appropriate locations.
Types of Planting
We will deliver woodlands, trees and hedgerow planting projects across a variety of land types including, urban and rural land, agricultural and agroforestry land, derelict and contaminated sites, public and with private land, along transport corridors and waterways.
Projects will range from small-scale landscaping to large-landscape scale schemes. These will include trees both within and outside of woodlands, orchards, hedgerows and hedgerow trees, wet woodlands and shelter belts.
Creating new woodland on previously unforested land provides ecological, social, and economic benefits. This can be achieved through natural regeneration, where trees establish themselves or active planting of native or commercial species. Well-designed woodlands enhance biodiversity, sequester carbon, and offer recreational spaces. Success depends on careful site selection, species choice, and long-term management.
A traditional land management approach that combines trees with grazing animals, creating a mosaic of open and wooded habitats. Wood pasture supports a high diversity of plants, fungi, and animals, especially in areas with veteran trees and lichens and preserves cultural landscapes through open-canopy woodlands.
Guidance:
- Woodland Trust Wood Pasture and Parkland
Agroforestry integrates trees with farming to deliver multiple benefits, supporting the farm’s main agricultural output while improving soil health, water protection, biodiversity and climate resilience. We will encourage and support farmers in adopting agroforestry practices.
Guidance:
- Forestry Commission: A guide to agroforestry – GOV.UK
- Soils Association: Agroforestry Handbook
Planting trees in the riparian zone (adjacent to rivers and streams) helps cool water temperatures, stabilise banks, and act as a source of nutrients and woody debris. These woodlands play a vital role in flood mitigation, water quality, and habitat connectivity.
Guidance:
Urban trees are essential for the health and well-being of local communities and ecosystems. Urban forestry enhances air quality, shade, biodiversity and sense of place. We support tree planting in a wide range of urban settings, including:
- Streets, parks, gardens and open spaces
- School grounds, healthcare sites and places of worship
- Business premises and transport corridors
- Small woodlands on urban fringes.
Guidance:
Urban Tree Manual – Forest Research
A Trees and Woodland Strategy Toolkit for Local Authorities
Hedgerows are a defining feature of the region’s landscape and a vital part of green infrastructure. They offer:
- Habitat connectivity and biodiversity
- Carbon capture and air quality improvement
- Shelterbelts to reduce runoff and pollution
- Cultural and aesthetic value
We support planting new hedgerows and hedgerow trees of appropriate character to restore landscape features and enhance ecological networks.
Guidance:
Planting Establishment Considerations
Establishing healthy, resilient trees, woodlands and hedgerows requires careful planning and ongoing care. The following considerations guide our approach to ensure long-term success, ecological integrity and climate resilience.
Soil is the world’s second largest active carbon store after the oceans, holding around 80% of terrestrial carbon nearly three times more than the atmosphere. Soil organic carbon varies widely, from less than 1% in deserts to over 50% in peatlands. Peaty soils, typically found in blanket or raised bogs and fens, are protected due to their high carbon content and ecological sensitivity. We will not plant on peaty soils to avoid disturbing this declining resource. In other soil types, planting will involve minimal disturbance and cultivation. We will support research and partnerships to explore how trees, hedgerows, and woodlands can help restore and improve soil health
Guidance:
Species selection is guided by the site conditions, landowner objectives and project goals. We use a mix of species tailored to each scheme.
- Native broadleaf species (wildwood) species, such as oak, beech, field maple, hedgerow rosewood, dogwood, buckthorn for nature recovery and landscape character.
- Fruit, nut and berry producing trees for community orchards and biodiversity
- Ornamental/decorative and resilient trees for urban and coastal areas
- Use a mix of native species, coniferous and non-native species where timber production or climate resilience is a priority.
All species are selected to optimise carbon sequestration, wildlife benefits and climate adaptability. We will also support research into non-native and climate-resilient species, working with partners such as the Forestry Commission, academic institutions, and delivery organisations.
Guidance:
Tree size distribution is determined on a scheme-by-scheme basis and is considered within our design-led approach. Typically:
- Whips (40-60cm) are the most commonly used size due to higher survival rates and reduced vulnerability to disease, pests, and vandalism. Whips establish more successfully and require lower levels of early maintenance.
- Feathered and Standard Trees: are used where immediate visual impact is desired, particularly in urban areas. While they create instant canopy presence, these larger trees are more susceptible to stress, disease, and anti-social behaviour, and they require more intensive early care.
Larger trees may be incorporated where site conditions, objectives, and funding allow, but whips remain the most reliable option for long-term establishment and resilience.
We use a variety of techniques to ensure successful tree establishment, planting both cell-grown and bare root trees. Cell-grown trees develop well-formed soil balls around the roots, that retain water and nutrients, promoting faster and healthier root systems that are less stressed during transportation and transplantation. This method also extends the planting season and results in stronger healthier trees in their new environment.
We prioritise tree and seed provenance, using local and UK sourced stock wherever possible, in line with the Plant Healthy Standard. We will work closely with local partner nurseries that maintain strong biosecurity measures. Our suppliers share the same ethos as the North East Community Forest, seeking local and national sources before considering international seed supply.
Guidance:
Plant Healthy – Plant Healthy
Invasive species, pests and disease pose a serious threat to tree health and woodland survival.
Animals such as grey squirrel and deer can cause serious damage to young trees by stripping the bark from young saplings to eat the softer fibres. This can destroy new plantings and prevent natural regeneration of existing woodlands.
Tree diseases also have a devastating impact. Ash dieback, for example, is expected to kill around 80% of ash trees across the UK, costing billions of pounds and changing the landscape for generations. Other threats, such as the Asian and citrus longhorn beetles threaten broadleaf tree and can enter the UK via imported wood.
We can reduce these risks by strengthening the UK’s own timber market through sustainable practices like agroforestry and coppicing. These approaches not only help protect our trees but also provide new opportunities for landowners and support local economies.
We will work closely with partners such as the Forestry Commission and the Woodland Trust to understand the threats and adapt our management practices to ensure healthy, resilient treescapes.
To ensure successful tree establishment, we will conduct periodic checks to review tree health and project progress, identifying any interventions needed to support healthy growth toward predicted canopy cover. We will collaborate with partners and academics, using the latest research to define benchmarks for tree, woodland, and hedgerow health at key milestones of 3, 10, and 15 years.
Following the 15-year monitoring period, we will provide landowners with establishment sign-off, along with best-practice guidance and support in developing long-term management plans.
We will inspect each project:
- Immediately after planting
- at year 3
- at year 10
Health checks will assess:
- Tree health
- Density
- Presence of pests and disease
- Canopy cover development
Sustainable and environmentally friendly tree guards are an area of growing importance in woodland and tree establishment. We are actively exploring alternatives to traditional plastic guards to reduce environmental impact and improve long-term sustainability.
While biodegradable options are emerging, financial viability remains a challenge. In the meantime, we are committed to responsible practices that minimise waste and environmental harm. Our approach includes:
- Monitoring new products and conducting trials to assess performance and sustainability
- Reusing and collecting non-biodegradable guards wherever possible
- Developing management practices that reduce environmental impact and promote circular use
We will continue to review market developments and collaborate with suppliers, researchers, and partners to identify viable, cost-effective solutions that align with our sustainability goals.