We are now all more aware than ever before of the devastating impact of pollution on our planet, and the need for more trees to filter air pollution to help eliminate carbon & other greenhouse gases and provide us with oxygen, store carbon, stabilise the soil and give life to the world’s wildlife.

It’s critical that woodlands, forests and trees are preserved and sustainably managed. The Estate consists of approx. 260acres of woodlands and follows a professional woodland management plan with the environment and sustainability at its heart. Trees that are considered to pose any sort of risk i.e. located in ares close to public use or public property as managed separately by regular inspection and surveys.

We continue to plant new trees seasonally, our attempt to enhance the countryside and positively encourage biodiversity. It is natural to lose trees to age, disease and environmental factors, however, it is our mission to plant more new trees than we lose, increasing our tree canopy and carbon sequestration; the process of storing carbon in a carbon pool. Carbon dioxide is naturally captured from the atmosphere through biological, chemical, and physical processes.

Since 2019 we have made a concerted effort to plant mostly UK grown trees and where possible species that encourage biodiversity. Our hedging follows a rule, set as a guide by Natural England to encourage Biodiversity, with 80% being hawthorn Crataegus monogyna and 20% being made up of species such as field maple, dog wood, hazel, midland hawthorn, spindle, wild privet, blackthorn and purging buckthorn.

We can all help the environment in someway against the negative effects of climate change, and by way of accountability we now record our seasonal planting:

Planting portfolio:

Total trees planted since 2009 to date  = 12,727

Total hedging planted since 2012 = 23,688

Whitehill and Hook End, Dormant Season Nov 2008 - March 2009, Trees Planted 1,500 - Although records are unclear we planted around 1,500 trees of mixed variety in this new wooded area.

Bermondsey Wood, Dormant Season Nov 2011 – March 2012, Trees Planted 2,500 - This relatively new plantation was originally planted in January 2012, with an equal mix of British Oak, Hornbeam and Ash. However, following the outbreak of Ash Die-back, the ash trees were removed to prevent the spread of the disease, and replaced with more British Oak and Hornbeam. Bermondsey Wood now acts as a nursey site, from here established trees can be transported and replanted to other parts of the Estate.

Hedging, March 2012 – ongoing, Hedging Planted 18,000 - An approximate amount of 18,000 bare root hedging plants have been planted in and around the estate, as gapping and to create new rows, since 2012 to date. We follow the rule set as a guide by Natural England, with a view to encouraging Biodiversity, to plant an 80/20 mix of species. 80% Hawthorn and the remaining 20% made up of field maple, dog wood, hazel, midland hawthorn, spindle, wild privet, blackthorn and purging buckthorn.

The Captains Pond and River Bank, Dormant Season Nov 2017 – March 2018, Trees Planted 16 - New Willows were planted in this area and along the river to replace trees that had been lost due to natural deterioration.     

The Holts/Hutted Site, Dormant Season Nov 2017 – March 2018, Trees Planted 600 - This is an existing planation that has been rejuvenated after clear felling. New trees includes Red Oak, Field Maple, Silver Birch, Copper Beech, Italian Alder and Scots Pine.

Beech Hill, Fir Grove, Hawker Wood, The Larches and Top wood, Dormant Season Nov 2017 - ongoing, Trees Planted 800 - These existing woods/plantations are being added to during the dormant season. These woods are replenished with mixed species including firs, Silver Birch and English Oak, all of which are UK grown.

Atherstone Hill, Dormant Season Nov 2017 – March 2018, Trees Planted 19 - This double row of Hornbeam planted in January 2018 creates an attractive tree lined driveway on top of the hill.

The Orchard at Grove, Dormant Season Nov 2017 – March 2018, Trees Planted 5 - These new fruit trees, a variety of apple trees, were planted in February to enhance the existing orchard.

The Parkland (River Meadow), Dormant Season Nov 2018 – March 2021, Trees Planted 56 - Established trees of serval varieties have been planted in order to restore the land to its former glory. During war times, trees that once stood on this ground were felled to create land for essential crops. After the devastation of Dutch Elm Disease “Warwickshire Weed” in the 70’s, where over 800 trees were lost, Alscot is the first Estate in Warwickshire to plant a species of Elm, known as Ulmus New Horizon, that has been grown to be disease resistant. Thirteen new Elm trees have been planted in this Parkland location.   

The Reservoir Atherstone Hill, Dormant Season Nov 2020 - March 2021, Trees Planted - 350 - This creates a new plantation belt of pine, Silver Birch and Hornbeam.

Ponderosa, Elm Belt and The Parkland Paddock, Dormant Season Nov 2020 - March 2021, Trees Planted 350 - The majority of these mixed species trees (198) were planted in Ponderosa after thinning and clearing took place over the summer and autumn months of 2020. Other trees of mixed species were planted by way of enhancement to existing woodland and parkland areas.

Lake Park Hedgerow, Dormant Season Nov 2020 - March 2021 - 44 Trees Planted - 40 Acer Campestre (Field Maple) and four Corsican Pine have been planted within the hedgerow in an attempt to thicken the hedge and attract wildlife.

The Grove and Whitehill Bank , Dormant Season Nov 2021 - March 2022 - 465 Trees Planted - These trees have been planted to combat the devastation caused by Ash Die-Back, a disease with disastrous results for the landscape and biodiversity. This method of forestry helps prevent major loss and counteracts the devastating impact on the woodlands and connecting habitats. Without action the disease will spread and we could lose more trees than necessary as well as connecting hedge rows and other trees on surrounding land.

The Grove, Dormant Season Nov 2023 - March 2024 - 2050 These mixed broadleaf trees, including English Oak, Sessil Oak, Sycamore, Lime, Hornbeam and Cherry, have been planted in line with the woodland management project to ensure biodiversity and connectivity and to maintain the landscape for the future.

The Larches, Dormant Season Nov 2021 - March 2022 - 275 Trees Planted - Part of the forestry management programme to combat Ash Die-Back, we have cleared and felled diseased trees and replanted 275 Silver Birch and Western Hemlock.

Cutlin Mill, Dormant Season Nov 2021 - March 2022 - 9 Trees Planted - In November we replaced a Common Walnut Tree that had been lost to disease and in addition planted 8 mixed local fruit trees to create a micro orchard. We look forward to watching the orchard, planted by local school children, develop over the years to come.

The Larches, Dormant Season Nov 2022 - March 2023 - 810 Trees Planted. This wood was replensihed with cell grown, Silver Birch, English Oak, Scarlet Oak, Scots Pine, Grey Alder and Hazel.

The New Larches, Dormant Season Nov 2022 - March 2023 - 1348 Trees Planted. Following works in line with the woodland management plan this area is being replenished with 875 cell grown trees of varying species, as well as those mentioned above we have mixed in other hard wood varieties, including, Wild Cherry, Lime and Sycamore. In winter 2024, we added a further 369 mixed species.

The New Mound on A3400, Dormant Season Nov 2022 - March 2023 - 220 Trees Planted. In 2022 ditches were cleared and dangerous diseased ash was removed from this roadside loacation. To allow for machinery some clearing was necessary. The area was replanted with 140 new shrubs, 1840 hedging plants and 220 new trees, all bare root and varying species and sizes, including English Oak and beech trees. The plantation will create habits and protect the habits from road pollution.

The Grove, Dormant Season Nov 2022 - March 2023 - 360 Trees Planted. Following works in line with the woodland management plan this area is being replenished with 360 cell grown trees of varying species, including, Wild Cherry, Lime, Sycamore, English Oak, Beech, Grey Alder and Silver Birch.

Various Locations (Brick Hill Pit, Holts, The Grove, Whitehill), Dormant Season Nov 2022 - March 2023 - 406 Trees Planted. These areas are being replenished with a variety of cell grown trees.

Brick Hill Pit March 2023 - March 2024 - 412 Trees Planted 43 surplice trees including, 20 English Oak and 23 Scots Pine, were kindly donated by Warwickshire County County and planted in 2023. A further 369 mixed species were planted in winter 2024.

Bob Spencer’s Wood Nov 2023 - March 2024 - 123 Trees Planted - 123 mixed broadleaf.