Tree planting gathers pace as Derbyshire's Heartwood Community Forest branches out
Thousands of trees are being planted across Derbyshire now the second planting season of the county’s ambitious Derbyshire’s Heartwood Community Forest is well underway.
Derbyshire’s Heartwood Community Forest is a long-term programme led by Derbyshire County Council to increase tree cover across eastern and southern Derbyshire and Derby.
Tree planting helps to improve biodiversity, prevent flooding, provide soil stability and shelter for livestock, and create healthier, greener places for people to live, work and visit.
Through a government-funded grants scheme, landowners, farmers, schools and community groups can apply for 100% funding toward woodland creation, hedgerow planting and ongoing maintenance for up to 15 years.
Building on the success of last year’s inaugural planting season, this year the council will plant more than 80,000 trees across 60 hectares of diverse landscapes — from farms and school grounds to urban green spaces and riverside habitats.
Among this season’s 47 sites are:
• Heage Primary School near Belper, where over 400 native trees will enrich outdoor learning spaces and create a natural classroom for pupils.
• Roots Allotments in Dronfield, which will see more than 3,600 new trees planted to support pollinators and strengthen community growing areas.
• Brownhouse Farm in Ashleyhay near Wirksworth, one of the programme’s largest sites, featuring extensive woodland and hedgerow planting across more than 17 hectares.
• Sudbury Hall (National Trust), South Derbyshire, where over 12,000 new trees will complement new visitor walkways and enhance the historic landscape.
• Upperdown Meadow in Draycott, introducing rare black poplar alongside other native species on a site used for outdoor wellness activities.
These and dozens of other sites demonstrate the growing interest from landowners of all sizes — from smallholdings and school fields to large agricultural and heritage estates.
As the new season begins, the council is now encouraging additional landowners with space suitable for tree planting, however small or large, to get in touch ahead of future planting seasons.
Councillor Carol Wood, Derbyshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Net Zero and Environment, said:
“It’s inspiring to see so many landowners, schools and community groups joining us for the second season of Derbyshire’s Heartwood Community Forest.
Every new tree planted helps to strengthen Derbyshire’s natural environment, support wildlife and improve the places where people live.
We’re making fantastic progress but are always looking for more sites. Whether you manage farmland, run a business or community space, or simply have a corner of land that could support new trees, our fully funded grants make it easy to get involved.”
Full details on Derbyshire’s Heartwood Community Forest and how to apply for support can be found on the Derbyshire County Council website:
www.derbyshire.gov.uk/heartwood
Derbyshire’s Heartwood Community Forest is supported through England’s Community Forests’ Trees for Climate Fund, part of the Government’s Nature for Climate programme.
More News From Amber Valley Info
| New Funding Will Help Derbyshire Residents Improve Their Digital Skills Derbyshire County Council has approved £200,000 worth of grants, to help more people get online. read more | |
| Hundreds inspired at Future Fusion event as Amber Valley strengthens future workforce ambitions More than 600 local secondary school pupils gained first-hand insight into the career read more | |
| Six new on-call firefighters for Derbyshire and two new industrial firefighters for Rolls-Royce On Sunday 8 March, Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) celebrated the achievement read more | |
| All Aboard! National Tramway Museum Reopens with a Bold New Look on Saturday 14th March. This spring, one of Derbyshire's most distinctive attractions is inviting visitors to redisc read more | |
| Guided Tours at Great British Car Journey The Great British Car Journey in Ambergate, Derbyshire, is now offering bespoke guided tours for groups of 10 or more. read more | |
The Amber Valley Info Noticeboard
| Food waste recycling is coming to Amber Valley From June 2026, Amber Valley Borough Council will introduce weekly food waste recycling across the borough as part of a phased roll-ou read more | |
| Stallholder Bookings Now Open For The Tansley Big Day Out We're excited to announce that Tansley's Big Day Out 2026 will take place on 6th & 7th June 2026! read more | |
| Christmas and New Year bin collection dates Over the festive season, bin collections will operate on revised schedules. Some collections may take place up to two days earlier than u read more | |
| Launch Of WOMBLE MANIA! At the Heights of Abraham, Opened by Marcus Robertson, Son of Wombles author, Elisabeth Beresford, officially launched WOMBLE MANIA! at the Heights of Abraha read more | |
| Belper School and Sixth Form Centre Closed Today Due to a significant water leak, resulting in the water being turned off at school, we unfortunately have to close the school today. read more | |
