Hedge tree giveaway project

Last week, South Yorkshire Woodland Partnership (SYWP) and partners Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC) and City of Doncaster Council (CDC) took delivery of over 24,000 trees as part of an exciting hedge tree giveaway project funded by the Woodland Trust to increase canopy cover in South Yorkshire by planting native trees and shrubs!

@SYWP ‘heeling’ hedge trees prior to planting in their final location.

Hedges are an important wildlife habitat in their own right – as the most widespread semi-natural habitat in the UK, they provide natural shelter and source of food for wildlife; and protect our outdoor spaces from strong winds. Hedges form protected corridors between habitats for wildlife to travel. A native hedgerow typically contains hundreds of wildlife species. The UK has lost 50% of our hedgerows since World War II, so this hedge giveaway will really help our local wildlife, as well as contributing to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss.

The Woodland Trust have been working with partners across the North of England to deliver an offer for landowners- providing hedgerow shrubs, trees and protection- at no landowner or partner cost. South Yorkshire Woodland Partnership are co-ordinating this delivery with the Woodland Trust. Working with farmers and other landowners, a grand total of 7.5km of new native hedgerow will be delivered across South Yorkshire!! These wont look like much to start with but in the spring they will come to life with planting mixes including hawthorn, hazel, crab apple, field maple, dogwood and a range of trees including hornbeams, oaks and rowan.

In the new year a further 16,000 trees will be delivered to farmers in the Dearne Valley.

Landowners involved in the hedge delivery are also encouraged to take the next step and create woodland on their land with free help from South Yorkshire Woodland Partnership.

Get in touch with SYWP for free help in creating woodland on your land at woodlandenquiries@wildsheffield.com 07739 516228