Tree planting to boost flood resilience under way

Native tree saplings will be planted throughout February and March by volunteers

A project to help re-establish an area of Dartmoor's ancient woodland and reduce the risk of flooding around the River Erme is under way, Dartmoor National Park Authority has said.

It said 8.5 hectares of native trees would be planted on Harford Moor, near Ivybridge, to help "reconnect existing woodlands".

The authority said the planting trial, which uses a Japanese approach known as the "Miyawaki method", was thought to be one of the first of its kind used in Europe to improve flood resilience.

Phil Metcalfe, the Environment Agency's project manager for Dartmoor Headwaters, said the planting was "a great opportunity" to improve the area.

'Tree regeneration'

He said: "We're excited to better understand how density of tree planting can improve growth rates for flood risk benefits in our upland environments and how this learning could influence planting techniques elsewhere on the moor."

Dartmoor National Park Authority said the varied landscape and steeper valleys of Harford Moor would make "ideal areas for tree regeneration".

Native tree saplings will be planted throughout February and March by volunteers from local charity Moor Trees.

The charity's chief executive Helen Aldis said integrating more trees into the landscape was "of huge importance".

She said: "While this project delivers improved flooding resilience, it will also increase biodiversity helping to further restore nature through natural regeneration in the coming years."

Dartmoor National Park said the varied landscape and steeper valleys of Harford Moor would make it "ideal areas for tree regeneration"

John Howell, whose family owns Harford Moor, said he looked forward to nurturing the trees into maturity.

He said: "We have long wanted to restore the relict ageing trees around the fringes of the moor and are delighted that this project has brought all the interest groups together to reach agreement for it to happen."

The work comes as part of the Dartmoor Partnership Plan, which targets an increase of 500 hectares of native woodland growth along river valleys while expanding shelter and shade for livestock and diversifying habitats for wildlife.