Treesponsibility, Calderdale’s climate action group are looking for more sites on which to plant trees and woodlands in the 2011/12 winter season. Since 2000 we have planted around 5 Hectares (11 acres) a year. Have you considered planting a woodland on your land?
Reasons to plant woodlands.
The main reason we plant is for flood alleviation; Trees slow down run-off from heavy rainfall, the roots penetrate soil and help the ground soak up more water and they also help hold the soil in place, instead of it being eroded and silting up the rivers. Leaves build soil, holding more water. They also protect the ground in summer from the impact of raindrops, again helping the reduce soil erosion.
Managed woodland can supply us with wood fuel, reducing our dependence of fossil fuels. Trees are part of the carbon cycle, they absorb CO2 while growing, compared to oil and coal which when burned simply add the the CO2 in the atmosphere. Coppiced woodland can produce three tones of air dried firewood per hectare per year.
Woodlands are great for wildlife too, especially coppiced woodland, which provide a wide range of habitats. However, we are sensitive to endangered species, and always consult with Todmorden Wildlife Group before planting sites, to check for any rare species present.
Trees can also produce food for people and livestock, again reducing our dependence on external imports and reducing carbon footprints further.
Trees soak up CO2 as they grow, but we don’t generally make a song and dance of this fact as a reason to plant trees. Carbon reduction is the solution to reducing climate change, simply because there is not enough land to plant trees on to soak up the emissions from burning fossil fuels. We are wary of “Carbon Schemes” involving planting trees as they mislead people into thinking we can continue consuming at this rate without consequences.
We like to think of Treesponsibility as a climate action group and not a tree planting group.
Where can we plant trees?
Steep slopes are good for us. They help with our flood alleviation goals. Alongside streams and rivers are also good for the same reason. We can also plant flat fertile fields, these site are better for wood fuel plantations, especially if they have good access.
This year, we were lucky to get funding and have planted on an old factory site opposite the observatory on Bacup Road, a few kilometres from Todmorden. This site particularly need regeneration after years of industrial neglect followed by overgrazing.
There are still grants available from The Forestry Commission to meet some of the costs and we can help with grant applications or even do them for you. We can advise on what to plant, where, how to look after your woodland and even help with future management, if required.
If you think you would like a woodland on your land then please get in touch with us. We offer 13 years of experience, 100s of volunteers and boundless enthusiasm to make our valley more resilient to the heavy rainfall predicted by climate change models.
You can also help with donations, or get on to our mailing list to find out about volunteering on tree planting workdays.
For more information contact treesponsibility@yahoo.com.
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