Science

The Nuts & Bolts of Tree Planting

In order to maximize the value of your financial contributions, we plant on land that has been degraded in terms of its nature conservation potential. This enables us to provide the double-edged benefits of firstly planting trees to absorb carbon dioxide and of secondly boosting the nature conservation value of otherwise low-interest agricultural land.

We will only plant native broadleaved species in order to preserve the mix of forest and woodland traditionally found in the UK and the range of fauna supported by them. Typically this will include oak, ash, alder, birch, beech, whitebeam, rowan and cherry. In addition to these trees, we will also plant lower-growing species such as hawthorn and hazel to improve the nature conservation value of the sites.

In order to ensure that the trees that we plant for you continue to serve their purpose in absorbing and sequestrating carbon dioxide, we undertake to maintain and manage the woodland that we create in perpetuity. Specifically, we ensure that each tree has the best possible start by keeping the area around it free from weeds and maintaining a stake and shelter around it. This protects trees from browsing animals (deer, rabbits, etc.) and the wind. We also make sure that any tree that perishes inside the first five years (the period of greatest vulnerability) is replaced.

Unlike some similar schemes, we own the trees and the land on which they are planted. That way we have absolute control over their future and are not reliant on third parties or successive landowners. However good the intentions of third parties at the outset of a planting scheme, their priorities may change placing the tree’s future in doubt. No such concerns exist with co2balance’s planting as we own the freehold and the trees themselves on all planting land. We are working towards accreditation under the Soil Association’s ‘Woodmark’ Scheme, which sets out standards for sustainable afforestation and woodland management. We undertake to manage all our woodlands in perpetuity with no future timber harvesting, thus maximising their carbon sequestration potential.