Radnorshire Wildlife Trust (RWT) planted more than 16,000 trees across the Wye catchment during the winter of 2024-2025 tree planting season.

This achievement was made possible through a partnership with The Woodland Trust, who generously provided trees, along with support from local nurseries and farmers who donated surplus native seed stock.

The trees were planted in a wide range of planting regimes, including hedgerows, riparian corridors, ancient woodland restoration areas, shelter belts, ffridd restoration zones, wood pastures, and new woodland creation projects.

Gina Llewelyn, a local landowner who worked closely with RWT's Wye Adapt to Climate Change Officer (WACC), Sarenta, said: “I am absolutely delighted and so grateful for all the tree planting through The Woodland Trust and the WACC project... It’ll be fascinating to see how this helps the site to improve for biodiversity”

The WACC project is a partnership between the Radnorshire Wildlife Trust, Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, and Wye Valley National Landscape, funded by The National Lottery Climate Action Fund.

Throughout the season, RWT collaborated with numerous farmers to integrate native, acid-tolerant broadleaf species into their land management systems. Many were introduced to agroforestry, which provides shelter for livestock, creates wildlife corridors, and makes productive use of steep or marginal land. In doing so, RWT are helping farmers work toward meeting the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) targets of habitat creation and 250 tree per year quota.

Agroforestry can also improve soil moisture retention, reduce runoff, and help mitigate flooding. According to The Woodland Trust, average carbon sequestration from agroforestry ranges between 100–500 units/ha, potentially generating £1,000–£15,000 per hectare to manage the woodland through the Woodland Carbon Code.

“Tree planting in Wales has sometimes received criticism due to large-scale, non-native monocultures planted for carbon offsetting,” said Dan, Wilder Lugg Project Officer. “But at RWT, we’re really big on the right tree in the right place… and that those trees are going to be standing for the length of time so that they can support our wildlife”

Some of the plantings were protected with biodegradable tree guards supplied by The Woodland Trust, avoiding plastic use and helping to give the trees the best start in life.

If successful, these trees could sequester up to 3,336 tonnes of carbon over the next decade - equivalent to the weight of 33 blue whales.

RWT have another substantial number of trees to plant this season. If any farmers or landowners in the Wye catchment are interested in getting involved, please contact Sarenta at: [email protected]