Yorkshire Dales Woodlands need support more than ever
This year (2012) there is a risk that the annual celebrations of National Tree Week might be overshadowed by concerns for the future of our woodlands due to "Ash Dieback" disease. However, one local Yorkshire Dales charity believes that the current threat to our woodlands makes it more important than ever to take positive action this winter by supporting tree planting and woodland creation in the Dales.
The Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) aims to plant around 70 hectares of new woodland in the Yorkshire Dales and surrounding area this winter.
National Tree Week (24th November to 2nd December 2012) marks the start of the tree planting season and between now and April YDMT hopes to facilitate the planting of approximately 112,000 new native broadleaf trees across almost 20 sites. Species planted will include oak, hawthorn, blackthorn, downy birch, Alder, rowan, bird cherry and goat willow – no ash trees are currently being planted.
David Sharrod, YDMT Director, said: “Tree planting is a wonderful investment in the future of the landscape, and is at the heart of our work here at the Trust. The current threat to our beautiful woodlands means that we need help more than ever to plant new native trees to create woodlands for future generations."
Only around 2.5% of the Yorkshire Dales National Park is covered with native broadleaf trees compared with the national average of 4.8%, and the aim is to almost double the amount of broadleaf cover in the National Park to 5000 hectares by 2020. By working in partnership with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and the Forestry Commission, and with the help of local businesses, landowners and individual donors, YDMT has helped to plant more than 1 million native broadleaf trees in the Yorkshire Dales and surrounding area to date.
However, there is still a long way to go. YDMT is urging people to get involved in National Tree Week by supporting the Trust’s Tree Dedication scheme to help plant new trees that will enrich the landscape, absorb carbon and create important habitats for wildlife.
David added: “Supporting our tree dedication scheme is a simple and effective way for individuals to make a lasting difference to the future of the Yorkshire Dales. Some people choose to dedicate trees as gifts, to commemorate the life of someone special, or simply as means of giving something back to the natural environment. Whatever the reason, by working together we can take a crucial step towards restoring the natural woodlands of the Dales at a time when the future of the ash population hangs in the balance.”
Trees can be dedicated by calling YDMT on UK 015242 51002 or online at http://www.ydmt.org/dedicate-a-tree
YDMT is also seeking new woodland creation sites, and would be delighted to hear from landowners wishing to discuss potential sites. Interested landowners should contact Chris Lodge on UK 015242 51002
For more information please contact Sarah Brewer, Marketing & Communications Officer at Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, on UK 015242 51002 or e-mail: media@ydmt.org
[N.B. Please mention the Eagle Intermedia Yorkshire Dales website when making your enquiries.]
[News item based on press release supplied by the The Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust, e-mail: media@ydmt.org and posted November 2012.]
The Yorkshire Dales is designed and maintained by Eagle Intermedia Publishing Ltd.
