Our moorlands are not entirely natural landscapes. Historic clearance and industrial pollution, and more recent management activities have created their open, and relatively treeless, character.

The Wooded Landscapes Plan (opens new window) sets out the type of tree and scrub cover that is appropriate for ‘open moors’, ‘moorland slopes and cloughs’ and 'moorland hills and ridges’.

Native woodland, scrub and scattered tree cover should be increased as part of a moorland mosaic, in tandem with moorland restoration and low intensity management.

For nature

• Trees and scrub can add diversity to the moorland landscape, and can be used for nesting, food or to hide from predators.
• Low density trees and scrub as part of a moorland mosaic forms new complex habitats for upland species such as ring ouzel.
• Clough woodlands and scrub edges will expand tree cover, adding to the habitat available for woodland wildlife.
• Trees and scrub in the uplands may become important for species that require these habitats at higher altitudes.

What else can trees and scrub deliver?

• Clough woodlands and their management can be used as natural flood management to reduce flood risk downstream.
• Once established, clough woodland and other trees can provide shelter and shade for livestock.
• Trees and scrub can sequester carbon and help to mitigate climate change.
• Natural regeneration or low density planting of scrub or trees on eroded slopes or slipped areas of peat can aid slope stabilisation.

In practice

• Extend and link existing and relic clough woodland, usually by carefully designed and sited fencing to exclude grazing to allow natural colonisation and/or planting. New clough woodland planting should include natural and organic shapes, varied densities, open space and scrub edges to create an open and varied structure. The Moors for the Future Partnership has produced a series of clough woodland (opens new window) guides.
• Restoration of traditional boundaries, or a reduction in management can allow natural regeneration of less-dense woodland, scrub and scattered trees over the top of cloughs onto the edges of less-sensitive open moorland.
• The moorland edge is a good place to consider encouraging the creation and expansion of wet woodland.
• Rewetting can act as a natural scrub control, helping control the risk of scrub on sensitive moorland.

CASE STUDY Eastern Moors wet woodland