Woodland cover in the Peak District is 8% (opens new window), mostly concentrated in the Dales and in the valleys of the Dark Peak, but shelterbelts, copses, boundary and in field trees, hedgerows, scrub, and wood and scrub pasture all contribute to how our treescapes shape the landscape.

The Wooded Landscapes Plan (opens new window) sets out the opportunities for increasing tree and shrub cover in the Peak District, following the principle of

the right tree, in the right place

With over half of woodland species in Britain in decline (opens new window), more native woodland, trees and scrub are needed to support wildlife, from pied flycatchers to hairy-eyed wood ants.

Woodland, scrub and trees do not need to be separate from other habitats, and should be part of a mosaic of land covers and uses, including food production.

Trees and scrub can form part of a dynamic landscape, and don’t have to be fixed in one place.

For nature

• Natural colonisation and planting can expand our woodland habitats for the future, helping build populations of our woodland plants, mammals, birds and invertebrates.
• Dog’s mercury and other indicator plants can indicate that land used to have more trees and scrub.
• Scrub of varied age, species and structure supports a wide range of wildlife, from birds to lichen.
• Boundary and in-field trees, and scattered scrub can provide stepping stones for birds and mammals to use when moving through the landscape.
• Hedgerows can help link woodlands by creating corridors to allow less mobile species to move between different woodlands.
• Scrub and hedgerows that are allowed to flower provide nectar, nuts and fruit throughout the year. Berries are particularly important for overwintering birds.
• Open wooded habitats of wood pasture, scrub and scattered trees, including flower- and fungi-rich grasslands deliver lots of microhabitats for nature.

(© Frances Horsford) Cattle using shade and browsing willow

What else can trees and scrub deliver?

• Woody species lock up carbon, mitigating climate change.
• Timber and wood products can provide an income source, and fruit, berries or nuts can be consumed or sold. Agroforestry, for example wood pasture, means land can provide food and public goods in the same place.
• Roots can help stabilise the soil and prevent erosion. Trees and scrub are a natural flood management tool, helping to intercept rain and build water-holding capacity in the soil.
• Trees and scrub provide shade and shelter, and can vary the diet of livestock, helping them to self-medicate.
• Trees and scrub can efficiently remove harmful pollutants (opens new window), cleaning the air.
• Trees are great for mental health and wellbeing.
• Hedgerows and scrub could be used to make footpath routes more obvious and help engagement with nature.
• Open wooded habitats of wood pasture, scrub and scattered trees, including flower– and fungi-rich grasslands are more resilient to extreme weather, pests and diseases, and other pressures.
• We are only just beginning to discover the effects of healthy and diverse fungi-tree relationships, likely to include increased tolerance to pests and disease, and extreme soil conditions such as during drought.

In practice

• Use UK native tree and shrub species, locally sourced where possible, although southerly provenance may add resilience for future climate change effects.
• Orchards are an example of where non-native species or domestic varieties can be used.
• New tree and scrub planting should increase the diversity or include a diverse range of species. For maximum diversity, new woodland should be established using a combination of natural colonisation and planting.
• Explore opportunities for planting without the use of plastic tree guards.
• Mycorrhizal fungi, ideally collected locally, can help trees and shrubs establish in the areas where these species are currently missing, and can help increase tolerance to drought.
• Some areas may need fencing and/or deer management to allow trees and scrub to establish.
• Extensive grazing can help encourage natural colonisation or regeneration and create a dynamic mosaic of wooded and open habitats.
• Weed control in the initial five years, by mowing for example, can help young saplings with competition and limit damage from small mammals.
• Relevant permissions should be sought in preparation for woodland creation.
• Presence of other important habitats doesn’t necessarily preclude an increase in tree and scrub cover. For example, hedgerows and boundary trees can help link woodlands, and form corridors for wildlife.
• Consider how new woodlands, trees and scrub could be accessed for future long-term management.
• Historic environment data could identify where woodlands and trees have been present in the past and help inform new planting schemes
• Consider siting of new hedgerows so their value can be maximised by allowing them to grow as tall and wide as possible.
• Further guidance on appropriate woodland, tree and scrub establishment is provided in the Peak District Wooded Landscapes Plan (opens new window).

CASE STUDY  Hedgerow planting in the Hope Valley

CASE STUDY  Carr Head Farm - complex design in action