VOLUNTEERS joined Exmoor National Park Authority (ENPA) staff for a parkland tree planting day as part of a CareMoor for Exmoor appeal.

Families, individuals, and groups of people came together to plant trees and contribute to the future of Exmoor’s treasured landscapes.

ENPA senior woodland officer Graeme McVittie said: “Restoring historic features such as traditional parkland is one way of increasing tree covering into this landscape.

“Also known as ‘wood-pasture’, this is an important upland habitat which will form part of our temperate rainforest mosaic, but which depends on continued grazing.”

Volunteers help to plant 'parkland trees' on moor dedicated to loved ones and special causes. PHOTO: ENPA.
Volunteers help to plant 'parkland trees' on Exmoor dedicated to loved ones and special causes. PHOTO: ENPA. ( )

Some people taking part dedicated trees to loved ones or special causes and shared the stories behind their dedications.

One couple who dedicated an oak tree said: “We are so glad there is such a special place for us to visit and remember loved ones.

“We are also very pleased there will be such a long future for the oak and how it will provide a habitat for wildlife in the coming years.”

Another said: “My husband and I celebrated our wedding night at Simonsbath House Hotel over 40 years ago and sadly he passed away last year.

“The tree dedication was the perfect way to celebrate ‘our very special place’.”

A specially-made timber guard protects a newly-planted Exmoor tree and allows animals to graze around it. PHOTO: ENPA.
A specially-made timber guard protects a newly-planted Exmoor tree and allows animals to graze around it. PHOTO: ENPA. ( )

The day highlighted the community’s connection to Exmoor’s natural beauty and shared commitment to preserving the landscape for future generations.

Every tree planted represented a legacy, creating habitats for wildlife and enriching nature.

Mr McVittie said further tree planting events and initiatives were planned for 2025, the details of which could be found on the ENPA website.

He said: “Together, we can continue to nurture Exmoor’s stunning woodlands and ensure their longevity for generations to come.”

ENPA has committed to increasing tree cover on Exmoor from around 13.5 per cent to at least 17 per cent by 2050, which is the amount recommended by the Government’s independent Climate Change Committee.

As part of that commitment, the park authority has embarked on planting Bye Wood, near Winsford, and Kings Wood, just outside Simonsbath, which was named to mark the coronation of King Charles III.

Together, it is the largest woodland creation project to have taken place in the national park in the past 15 years.

Eleven acres will be planted with 6,000 trees using mostly native species such as oak, Scots pine, lime, and hazel, and others which will be better adapted to possible future climate scenarios.

An ENPA spokesperson said: “We intend to follow our ambitions using plastic-free and locally sourced materials where possible.”

A framework of species such as oak which which take years to establish will also be planted near Simonsbath, as well as ‘pioneer species’ such as birch and aspen.

The ENPA plans include ‘natural living tree guard’ thorny species such as blackthorn, hawthorn, and bramble to protect trees from browsing animals.

The authority’s own nursery will provide larger individual ‘parkland trees’ which will be protected with specially-made timber guards, to allow cattle, sheep, and deer to continue grazing the landscape.