TREES have been planted to create a new woodland as part of an expansion of Delamere Forest.

On Wednesday, April 3, a mix of broadleaf and conifer saplings were planted at Hondslough Farm, on the northern edge of the forest.

The area, which was bought by Forestry England from Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC), will now become the 40-hectare Hondslough Wood, equivalent in size to about 56 football pitches.

As well as providing more space for people to enjoy, the new woodland will also create an improved habitat for wildlife and a sustainable supply of home-grown timber.

Paddy Harrop, Forestry England's local forest management director, said: "We’re planting a mix of trees here to flourish as a source of sustainably grown timber in the decades ahead.

"And creating this woodland next to an established forest also means we’ll be expanding public access as well as providing greater benefits for biodiversity."

One area of the new woodland is being planted as a seed stand, an area specially managed to grow trees and collect their seeds, which will supply Forestry England’s nursery based at Lobslack.

The nursery supplies around seven million trees each year to the nation’s forests, either to replant areas where trees have been harvested for timber, or to create new areas of woodland.

The new seed stand at Delamere will support Forestry England’s work to have a home-grown and diverse supply of tree seeds so the nation’s forests will continue to flourish as the climate changes.

Delyth Curtis, CWAC chief executive, said: "It’s fantastic to hear about the work being done by Forestry England and the plans to create this new woodland that will benefit our communities and nature for years to come.

"Having access to nature is so important for our communities and this new woodland is just one of many being planted in the area that is helping to grow the wider Mersey Forest, which is connecting more people to green spaces.

"These trees will benefit generations and play a vital role to help our borough become carbon neutral by 2045."

The new woodland is one of many Forestry England is planning to plant by 2026 which together will cover at least 2,000 hectares and support Government targets to increase tree planting across the UK.