This summer, woodland creation experts across Yorkshire and the Humber are joining forces to highlight the range of free support and funding available to help farmers and landowners plant trees on their land.

Forestry Commission, Woodland Trust, White Rose Forest, Humber Forest and South Yorkshire Woodland Partnership are uniting to help people from across the region unlock generous grant and support packages available for tree planting and woodland creation.

Trees can provide a range of well-recognised benefits for farmers, from shelter for livestock, to reducing soil erosion, and improving water quality. They can also help farmers and land managers to diversify business and generate reliable revenue streams. This is in addition to wider environmental and community benefits.

A range of new grants are now available to help landowners in Yorkshire with the costs of designing, planting and establishing trees and woodlands, but with so many options it can sometimes be difficult to know who to speak to and what to do next.

To address this challenge, the largest woodland creation delivery partners in the region have committed to working together to help as many people as possible access the funding and support option that is right for them.

Crispin Thorn, area director for Forestry Commission in Yorkshire, said: "There’s never been so much funding and support available to help farmers and landowners access the benefits of trees and woodland. However, we know it can sometimes be a complex area to navigate.

"So our message is simple: speak to any one of us and we will help you decide if woodland creation is right for you. We will also work with you – and with each other – to make sure that you can access the funding option that best meets your needs."

And with the current funding due to end in 2025, the partnership is also urging landowners to act now, so they don’t miss out.

Crispin added: "We need to make sure that we get tree planting and woodland creation right, and it can take time to develop schemes, particularly larger ones. I’d urge anyone who may be interested to come forward now so they don’t miss out".

More information is also available at gov.uk/forestry/tree-planting-overview or by contacting YNEwoodlandcreation@forestrycommission.gov.uk.