Killerton Community Forest Project Celebrates Successful Tree Planting Days
The National Trust’s Killerton Estate has recently hosted two highly successful community tree-planting events, drawing together more than 120 enthusiastic participants to plant an impressive 1,000 trees. This initiative is a key component of the broader Killerton Community Forest project, which aims to foster healthier landscapes for local communities, wildlife, and agricultural practices.
Community Engagement and Future Plans
Families, residents, and dedicated volunteers collaborated with the National Trust countryside team at Elbury during January, working tirelessly to establish new woodland areas. The overwhelming response has led to all trees allocated for community events being successfully planted. Consequently, the upcoming volunteering session scheduled for Wednesday, February 18, will shift focus to essential mulching and aftercare activities.
Mulching plays a critical role in supporting young trees by retaining soil moisture, suppressing weed growth, and providing protection during their formative years. This careful attention significantly enhances their chances of developing into robust, resilient woodland.
Voices from the Project
Anna Harrison, the project officer, expressed her delight at the community’s involvement: “We’ve been absolutely blown away by the response from the local community. Seeing so many people give their time to help plant trees has been incredibly encouraging, and we’re hugely grateful to everyone who came along. While we’ve now planted all the trees for the community events, the work doesn’t stop here.”
She further emphasised: “Caring for young trees is just as important as planting them, and there will be many more opportunities over the coming months and years for people to get involved in looking after this new woodland and helping it grow.”
Long-Term Vision and Scale
The Killerton Community Forest project is an ambitious endeavour set to plant over 100,000 trees across two phases, ultimately creating 150 hectares of new woodland and wood pasture. To put this into perspective, that area is equivalent to approximately 212 football pitches.
This effort is part of a longer-term goal to plant one million trees at Killerton, complemented by improved access through new and enhanced permissive paths that will better connect nearby communities to the estate. The project is delivered in partnership with the Plymouth and South Devon Community Forest and receives support from Defra’s Trees for Climate programme.
Participant Feedback
Volunteers shared heartfelt reflections on their experiences. One participant noted: “My son and I really appreciate all the effort that went into organising the tree planting event. It was a wonderful experience for both of us, and we are very grateful for the opportunity to take part.”
Another added: “After spending the week behind a screen at work, I was really grateful for an opportunity to get outside on the weekend with a purpose. It was lovely to be part of something that will have a lasting impact.”
A third volunteer commented: “I had a great time planting trees and it was lovely to meet everyone. What’s happening at Elbury is amazing, and it feels really special to be part of something that will benefit our community for years to come.”
Next Steps and Community Involvement
The next community volunteering day at Elbury on Wednesday, February 18, will concentrate on mulching and tree aftercare. Local residents are warmly encouraged to participate in these ongoing efforts to nurture the newly planted woodland.
