Councillor Carol Wood, pictured centre, surrounded by newly planted trees at Silverhill Farm in Tibshelf with landowner Cat Howourth, right, and woodland creation officer Iaian Stafford.
Derbyshire’s Heartwood Community Forest is a long‑term programme we lead to increase tree cover across eastern and southern Derbyshire and Derby.
Tree planting helps to improve biodiversity, prevent flooding, provide soil stability and shelter for livestock, and create healthier, greener places for people to live, work and visit.
Through a government-funded grants scheme, landowners, farmers, schools and community groups can apply for 100% funding toward woodland creation, hedgerow planting and ongoing maintenance for up to 15 years.
Building on the success of last year’s inaugural planting season, this year we will plant more than 80,000 trees across 60 hectares of diverse landscapes – from farms and school grounds to urban green spaces and riverside habitats.
Among this season’s 47 sites are:
- Heage Primary School near Belper, where over 400 native trees will enrich outdoor learning spaces and create a natural classroom for pupils.
- Roots Allotments in Dronfield, which will see more than 3,600 new trees planted to support pollinators and strengthen community growing areas.
- Brownhouse Farm in Ashleyhay near Wirksworth, one of the programme’s largest sites, featuring extensive woodland and hedgerow planting across more than 17 hectares.
- Sudbury Hall (National Trust), South Derbyshire, where over 12,000 new trees will complement new visitor walkways and enhance the historic landscape.
- Upperdown Meadow in Draycott, introducing rare black poplar alongside other native species on a site used for outdoor wellness activities.
These and dozens of other sites demonstrate the growing interest from landowners of all sizes – from smallholdings and school fields to large agricultural and heritage estates.
As the new season begins, the Heartwood team is now encouraging additional landowners with space suitable for tree planting, however small or large, to get in touch ahead of future planting seasons.
Councillor Carol Wood, our Cabinet Member for Net Zero and Environment, said:
“It’s inspiring to see so many landowners, schools and community groups joining us for the second season of Derbyshire’s Heartwood Community Forest.
“Every new tree planted helps to strengthen Derbyshire’s natural environment, support wildlife and improve the places where people live.
“We’re making fantastic progress but are always looking for more sites. Whether you manage farmland, run a business or community space, or simply have a corner of land that could support new trees, our fully funded grants make it easy to get involved.”
Find full details on Derbyshire’s Heartwood Community Forest and how to apply for support
Derbyshire’s Heartwood Community Forest is supported through England’s Community Forests’ Trees for Climate Fund, part of the government’s Nature for Climate programme.