Trees for the Downs

Planting 100,000 trees to help nature bounce back

With more woodland than any other National Park in England or Wales, trees form a vital part of our precious South Downs landscape.

Pests and diseases like ash dieback and Dutch elm disease are growing concerns and threaten a significant number of trees nationally, including in the South Downs National Park.

Trees for the Downs launched in 2019 and is led by the South Downs National Park Trust, the official charity for the National Park, working with the National Park Authority.

Since then, more than 75,000 trees have been planted at over 130 sites and it’s hoped that the target can be reached in 2025/2026.

The tree planting is creating new habitat for wildlife, amenity value for local communities and increasing carbon storage to help mitigate climate change and improve soil quality. The trees are a mixture of disease-resistant elm trees and native species, such as oak and black poplar, and sites include schools, farms, recreation grounds and historic parks. There are early signs that nature is bouncing back in some places, thanks to the new trees.

Trees for the Downs is one strand of the National Park’s ReNature initiative to help wildlife flourish by creating and improving habitat. By planting a mix of tree species, including disease-resistant elm, we can ReNature the South Downs and ensure there is a healthy treescape for future generations of people, wildlife and plants to enjoy.

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