Woods4Water (now Devon Woods): West Hill Farm’s Story

How did you hear about our project? 
 
Back in 2019, we attended a Taw Valley Farmers Group (TVFG) workshop on carbon capture and the environment mostly because we were interested in tree planting on a small scale. While there, we got talking with a few like-minded members and at the beginning of summer 2019, Jane Hart, TVFG coordinator had got a small interest group together with an FWAG consultant.  
 
This small group with expert support, expanded on the practical issues of planting trees and as a result, it gave us the encouragement to participate in this venture. With the support and guidance from Woods4Water and the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere, our proposal to plant a thousand native trees and three leaky woody dams was accepted.  
 
Tell us about how the tree planting project worked on your land. 
 
The leaky woody dams were built and in-place by August 2020. Planting started in late November till mid-December 2020 and by our second year, we had more than 80% of our planting showing good growth. The design for planting hard wood trees, followed a circular and hexagonal pattern. This pattern needed to take account of overall land area and distance between each sapling. Whilst, free planting of Wild Cherry, Bird Cherry, Crab Apple provided a more natural overall feel to the planting design.  
 
The woodland has a public footpath enjoyed by many of the local village residents, and in recognition of our regeneration planting the Parish Council with our consent has planted the Queen’s Jubilee tree there as well.  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 That sounds amazing, how did you first become interested in regenerating native woodland in our UNESCO Biosphere? 
 
Historically, this area of land was actually woodland. In the 40’s and 50’s much of it was cleared for grazing. In early 2000, my late father began to explore the idea of regenerating the woodland and he started with planting a small area with a mixture of tree saplings. More recently, my husband and I, like many others, have seen how challenges in climate change and the environment have stood in the forefront of all our lives. For us, looking at the many environmental challenges provided a yearning for a legacy that contributes to the betterment of our environmental future, for our children and grandchildren.   
 
Since getting involved with the project, has this changed how you think about your land management? 
 
As farmers, we have always accepted the important link between trees and the environment. However, the Woods4Water project, involving leaky woody dams, planting trees and attending workshops, has meant we are now more informed and involved within the debate itself. Our leaky woody dams are doing their job, water from heavy rainfall has been held back and in some ways the dams are a part of flood risk management.  
 
Do you have any advice for others looking to get involved in tree planting and other land management projects? 
 
In the future, as the trees mature, we hope that the woodland provides a lasting riparian catchment to filter and maintain water quality. Planting the tree saplings was definitely a challenge but a challenge that we would do again and encourage others to do as well. At times, when unsure or in over our heads, we found support and help from the Woods4Water team has been exceptional.  
 
However, given what we know now, perhaps we could have visited other landowners who have undertaken such a project to better inform and prepare ourselves for the task of planting. At the forefront of planting is always the question of right tree right place. Which trees for shaded or loamy soil? Planting aftercare and maintenance of woodland is an issue that we are currently grappling with as is what and when to use weed control and also caring for trees at different stages of growth. 
 
For the coming years we can see continued interest in tree planting and environmental projects like installing leaky woody dams. As such, with the current age of social media, a Biosphere-led initiative for an interactive and current forum for likeminded interest in tree planting and maintenance would be greatly beneficial.  
 
Thanks so much for chatting to us West Hill Farm – your project sounds like it is having a positive effect on your land and, as a result, our whole environment. Thank you. 
 
Planting trees can bring a wealth of benefits to your land. It can present opportunities to diversify, generate additional income, increase productivity, and enhance your land – whilst also supporting wider environmental goals.    
 The Devon Woods Project team of advisors offer a range of support and advice services to landowners, tenants, and communities including site visits, advising on the most suitable location and design for new woodland creation, accessing grant schemes such as the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) and MORE woods, securing the necessary permits and consents, and registering new woodland with carbon credit accreditation schemes.    
 
If you are interested to find out more about the Devon Woods Project please contact devonwoods@devon.gov.uk