The Northern Forest

The Northern Forest has significantly less woodland cover than the rest of the country. But that is changing. With our partners, we are planting at least 50 million trees and transforming the landscape across a swathe of Northern England from Liverpool to Hull.

We want to see habitats thrive, planting rates soar, trees and woodland valued and appreciated by all, and our ancient woodlands better protected.

Credit: Paul Bunton / WTML

The region of Northern England stretching from Liverpool to Hull is home to 13 million people. Yet this beautiful part of the country has just 7.6% woodland cover – significantly less than the UK average of 13%.

We're working with the Community Forest Trust and four of the Community Forests in the North of England – The Mersey Forest, City of Trees (Greater Manchester), the White Rose Forest and Humber Forest – to create a new Northern Forest. This will increase woodland cover while bringing endless benefits and opportunities for people.

The Northern Forest is already in progress, but once complete it will:

help tackle climate change and encourage nature-rich landscapes
reduce the risk of flooding
create thousands of new jobs
cool and clean air in towns and cities
improve health and wellbeing.

To find out more about the transformational change being delivered by the Northern Forest, read our 2018-2025 impact report to discover the achievements of the partnership to date.

50 million

trees will be planted around the cities of Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Hull

£2.5 billion

worth of social, economic and environmental benefits will be generated from the project

Support for local authorities

We can help you achieve your climate emergency ambitions with new woodland. Contact us for advice on getting the most from the Nature for Climate Fund.

Be a part of the Northern Forest

We can't create a new Northern Forest without you. This is your chance to help us grow the Northern Forest, make a difference and create something special for the people in and around Northern England.

Grow the Northern Forest

Are you interested in helping to grow the Northern Forest?

If you own or manage land in the area, we can fund up to 100% of the costs of woodland creation and establishment thanks to a grant from the government’s Nature for Climate Fund. We can provide funding and advice in a wide range of situations, including:

planting in riparian zones, valley sides, open farmland and many other locations
buffering or connecting ancient woodland and other existing woods, as well as advising on ancient woodland management
using natural processes to create new woodland, particularly in sensitive landscapes like National Parks and National Landscapes
working with you to attract a range of funding to help your woodland project deliver multiple benefits.

For more information, please email northernforest@woodlandtrust.org.uk

You can also apply for subsidised trees through our MOREwoods scheme.

Plant trees

Subsidised trees and protection

If you're planting 500+ trees, we can supply trees and protection subsidised by up to 85% if you plant yourself. Costs are subsidised by up to 70% if you'd like us to arrange a contractor to plant them.

Invest in the Northern Forest

While we have generous funding from the government to allow us to proceed with the Northern Forest, a project of this scale requires continuous funding to ensure we meet our target of 50 million trees planted over the next 25 years. Why not invest in the Northern Forest and become one of our partners?

Email northernforest@woodlandtrust.org.uk to find out how.

Volunteer for the Northern Forest

With 50 million trees to plant, we need all hands on deck in order to create the Northern Forest. We're working with Community Forests on regular public tree planting events and we'd love you to be involved.

Find out how to volunteer with us.