Moors woodland given major boost

The three hectares of native trees have been planted by local landowners around Hackness from November last year until now, supported by the Woodland Trust.

The trees planted include oak, rowan, ash, silver birch and cherry.

Britain is one of the least wooded countries in Europe, with just 13 per cent woodland cover compared to the European average of 44 per cent, while only 7.3 per cent of North Yorkshire is covered by trees.

The new scheme has been hailed as a major conservation boost for the North York Moors.

Adrian Perham, who planted the woods on his land at North Style Farm, said: “We wanted to create areas of natural, native woodland in between the areas of the farm.

“It will be great to see the trees start to grow and for a thriving young woodland to start to take shape.”

John Tucker, Woodland Trust director of woodland creation, said: “The trust wants to double native woodland cover for people, wildlife and the environment.”