If you are a landowner or land manager looking for information on creating new woodland you can find this information here.
Increasing tree cover
Tree cover in the Yorkshire Dales National Park is very low – just over 4%, compared to the national average of about 9%.
Since 1995 the Dales Woodland Forum, a partnership of landowners, charities and public bodies, has been advising on, and supporting, an expansion of tree cover. Over the last 25 years, and with continued guidance from the forum, some 2,200ha of new woodland has been created in the National Park.
Dales Woodland Strategy 2020-2030
In December 2020 the Dales Woodland Forum produced a new ten-year ‘Dales Woodland Strategy’. This new strategy sets an ambition to enhance the landscape by creating 6,000 ha of woodland habitat in the Yorkshire Dales National Park by 2030. That would take the area of the National Park covered by woodland from 4.3% to 7%.
The strategy aims to help farmers in the Dales take advantage of increasing opportunities to plant and manage woodland over the next ten years, helping to increase the viability of farm businesses as well as achieving biodiversity gains and other benefits such as carbon sequestration, natural flood management, and improving water quality.
How we can help with new planting
The Authority can advise on planting trees as well as managing woodlands. We work closely with our partners (such as the Forestry Commission, Woodland Trust and Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust) to find grants, draw up plans and provide advice for landowners, as well as advising on suitable contractors to contact.
We have also produced a Woodland Opportunities Map that can be used by farmers and landowners help identify where there are potential opportunities create new woodland.
Woodland as a positive part of the landscape
We really want to encourage the creation of woodlands and plantations that contribute positively to the landscape character and scenery of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. We have produced a guide to woodland siting and design that should be useful if you are considering planting new woodland, or making alterations to existing woodlands. Following the guidelines will ensure that your woodland design fits into the existing landscape.
Can we help?
If you are considering planting new woodland or making alterations to existing woodlands, please email us at trees@yorkshiredales.org.uk to see how we can help.