Moor Trees showcases its achievements and ambition to see 10 million more trees take root on Dartmoor

Local charity, Moor Trees, celebrated with partners, supporters and funders at a special afternoon tea at Buckfast Abbey on Friday 27^th June ‘25 to thank them for their support and recognise the role they have played in the charity’s success and achievements, as part of its 25^th anniversary programme of events.  

The reception looked to the future with Moor Trees’ vision for a wilder Dartmoor by 2050, with woodlands that form part of a mosaic of restored natural habitats to help breathe more life back into Dartmoor.

Sustainable South Hams joined other guests on the journey from seed to site through various zones at the event:  

• Dartmoor tree supply – as the premier producer of Dartmoor provenance trees, Moor Trees celebrates the diversity of species produced at the two Community Tree Nurseries.

• People – a range of images and testimonials from Moor Trees volunteers, landowners, supporters and partners.

• Woodland habitats – the impact made on the landscape and priorities for habitat restoration and the future, including the restoration of Wistman’s Wood (a globally important remnant of temperate rainforest).

• Future – guests were all asked what would they commit to achieving by 2050 in support of Moor Trees’ vision for a wilder Dartmoor? These asks will be captured in a time capsule to open in 2050.

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Jenny Isaac, Chair of Trustees at Moor Trees says: “It is essential that we all inspire people to take action now to ensure a more nature-rich Dartmoor. Moor Trees wants to see a further 10 million trees take root in the next 25 years and we’re doing this for nature, for children and young people who are growing up in a world with less and less wildlife. Each woodland recreated is a legacy to be proud of. We can all, individually and together, make a difference now to help mitigate the impacts of the climate emergency and the devastating loss of biodiversity.”  

Over the past 12 months the charity has continued to grow from strength-to-strength in terms of profile, reputation for supplying Dartmoor provenance trees and recognition for the quality and health of the woodlands it creates. During the event the charity also launched Moor Trees’ 2024-25 Impact Report:

What has been achieved:

• Moor Trees has supported the creation of 175 woodlands and hedgerows expanding across 167 hectares since it was founded, with more than 195,000 trees supplied and planted

• Over 95,000 young saplings are currently growing in the two Community Tree Nurseries  

• More than 275 volunteers gave their time and energy to the charity this year

• Over winter 2024-25 volunteers planted 17,595 trees over a combined 3,095 hours  

• Volunteers collected a whopping 179kg of seeds and fruit last year

Helen Aldis, Chief Executive at Moor Trees says: “The remaining tiny fragments of temperate rainforest on Dartmoor are so magical. They have inspired countless stories, books, films and art, and we want to ensure that these woodlands and the associated wildlife survive and thrive into the future. The founders of Moor Trees envisioned a future for Dartmoor that is more diverse in its nature with the potential to both restore these habitats and support the flora and fauna at risk or already lost, helping nature’s recovery by creating a wilder Dartmoor through targeted planting.”  

Moor Trees collaborates each winter on a range of woodland and habitat creation projects including three high profile new sites last winter; the Dartmoor National Park Authority’s Headwaters project at Harford Moor, Devon Wildlife Trust at Bowden Pillars near Totnes and the beginnings of an ambitious restoration and expansion project at Wistman’s Wood with the Duchy of Cornwall, Natural England and Woodland Trust in central Dartmoor. These sites and the hundreds more that the charity has helped to support by planting and the supply of Dartmoor provenance trees, are delivering for its overall vision to restore native woodland in the landscape.  

Kevin Cox, Patron of Moor Trees and local landowner says: “The event shone a light on the incredible contribution Moor Trees has made in its first 25 years. Not least the contribution of our volunteers in creating around 170 hectares of woodland and supporting the production all year-round at one of the largest Community Tree Nurseries in the country. It was evident for all who attended the importance of acting locally to help combat global issues and how we can all play our part.”

Inspiring people to see the potential for a more nature-rich Dartmoor will continue to be the focus as the charity looks towards the next 25 years. Guided by the vision for 2050, Moor Trees remains determined and believes this ambition can be realised with the commitment and involvement of the local community. 

To find out more about Moor Trees and support its vision visit www.moortrees.org/donate  

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