Forest funding boost as two million trees planted
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- Forest for Cornwall received £8.7m from Defra's Trees Programme after surpassing 2 million trees planted since launching in 2019 across communities, farms, schools and streets.
- Cornwall Council is targeting 8,000 hectares (19,768 acres) of new tree canopy by 2035, with the scheme also supporting England's national goal of 16.5% canopy and woodland cover by 2050.
- Loic Rich, Cornwall's cabinet member for environment and climate change, said the scheme provides much-needed shade during a "prolonged period of heat," helps wildlife, and reduces flooding in coastal towns.
- The grant follows Storm Goretti in January, which brought 100mph gusts and destroyed hundreds of mature trees at landmarks including St Michael's Mount near Penzance and Trewithen in Truro.
- Ben Thomas of Treveddoe Farm near Cardinham planted 2,500 trees through the scheme, crediting the program with helping him establish "a brilliant agroforestry network" already delivering on his farm.
Why it matters: The £8.7m arrives after Storm Goretti destroyed hundreds of mature trees, reinforcing that Cornwall's canopy faces simultaneous pressure from extreme weather and an ambitious 8,000-hectare expansion deadline by 2035 — with farmers like Ben Thomas directly plugged into the funding pipeline for agroforestry projects.
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