The benefits of planting trees
Find out the benefits of planting trees, including funding and support available to create woodland in England.
Applies to England
Trees can benefit you, your land, the environment and future generations. Planning and management are key if your woodland is to deliver these benefits.
Your woodland design should follow the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) to ensure the right tree is planted in the right place to help meet your woodland objectives.
How planting trees benefits your land
Planting trees can provide many benefits to your land. Tree planting can help to:
- manage soil and nutrient loss – tree planting between field edges and a river can reduce sediment run-off by 90-100%, nutrient loss by 20-80% and pesticide loss by 60-100%
- cut pollution – shelterbelts can help to capture pesticide run-off and ammonia released from livestock units, whilst also reducing spray drift up to 90%
- provide shelter – to protect livestock and crops from extreme weather conditions
- increase productivity – combining trees with crops or livestock can lead to more sustainable yields and improved animal welfare
- provide natural flood management and improve water quality
- reduce erosion – tree planting along rivers and hillsides can stabilise riverbanks, as tree roots help to hold soil together
- support pollinators – by creating a safe refuge for them all year round and providing a reliable food source
How planting trees benefits your business
A well-designed and managed woodland can help grow your farm business. Planting trees can create income streams and save costs for your business by:
- growing and selling timber – to generate viable revenue streams
- producing woodfuel – to sell to local markets or to heat buildings to reduce energy costs
- diversifying your activities – from selling seasonal Christmas trees, producing wood for construction and furniture, and producing coppice materials for temporary fencing and wood chippings
- registering with the Woodland Carbon Code – to offset your business’ emissions or to sell carbon units for every tonne of carbon dioxide captured, as early as five years after planting
- offering a range of recreation opportunities – providing idyllic forest settings for glamping, forest schools and game shoots
How planting trees benefits the environment and nature
Woodlands have an important role in addressing climate change as trees can capture and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Woodland creation also benefits nature by providing natural habitats for wildlife to call home. You can help by planting trees and managing woodland to:
- absorb harmful gases to improve air quality
- provide a unique and diverse habitat for a wealth of wildlife, from red squirrels to goldcrests, and a rich array of plant and fungi species
- provide shade to help keep water temperatures cool for fish and other aquatic life to thrive, when planted along rivers and streams
- connect different habitats to encourage wildlife corridors that will support nature recovery and enable species to adapt to a changing climate
Tree diversity and woodland management is important to ensure the future health and resilience of your woodland against the threats of climate change, pests and diseases.
How planting trees benefits your local community
Woodlands can benefit people and communities by improving physical and mental health, as well as social well-being, as trees can:
- reduce your stress levels
- lower your blood pressure and pulse rate
- improve air quality by absorbing harmful gases
Funding woodland creation
The England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) is available to support different woodland types and sizes, covering standard capital costs and maintenance costs while your woodland establishes, and can offer additional stackable payments when benefitting nature, society and the wider environment.
There is a range of support and funding available from the Forestry Commission and our partners. Discover available woodland creation funding and advice, including support to help you plan your woodland creation project, legal requirements to be aware of and best practice for managing your woodland sustainably.
Further support and free expert advice is available from your local woodland creation team.