Ravine woodlands restored with 84,000 trees

Natural England said 84,000 native trees were now planted to replace those lost to ash dieback disease

Tens of thousands of trees have been planted to help restore the Peak District's "critically damaged" woodland ravines.

The five-year, £5m LIFE in the Ravines project has placed more than 84,000 native trees at the sites of ancient woodlands in Derbyshire "devastated" by ash dieback, specifically the Peak District Dales Special Area of Conservation.

Martin Evans, woodland restoration manager for Natural England, said the scheme "shows what can be achieved when we work with nature rather than against it".

The government organisation said it had restored up to a quarter of the region's damaged woodlands.

A mix of native trees, including large and small-leaved lime and wych elm, have been planted to make the woodlands more resilient.

Restoration work has been taking place for five years

Without the work, Natural England said "entire woodlands" would have been lost to ash dieback, the fungal disease that kills ash trees.

Mr Evans said: "These restored ravine woodlands are truly unique habitats.

"By planting 84,000 trees, we're not just replacing what was lost to ash dieback - we're creating more diverse and resilient woodlands that will thrive for generations to come."

Natural England added there had been "success" with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust-managed sites, with 16,000 trees planted in the Wye Valley including Cramside, Cheedale, and Millers Dale.

Kyle Winney, living landscape officer for the trust, said: "Although it's devastating to see the effects of ash dieback, it has provided us an opportunity."

Seeds collected from existing trees within the ravines are being grown by specialist nurseries and community groups.

This approach "ensures planted trees can thrive in the challenging conditions of steep, rocky limestone terrain", Natural England added.

A better mix of native trees will future-proof the woodlands, experts said