800 Young Trees Planted to Expand England's Ancient Rainforest

Deep in Dartmoor National Park, 800 tiny saplings are beginning what could become centuries-long journeys as part of one of England's last remaining temperate rainforests.

Volunteers from Natural England teamed up with the Duchy of Cornwall, Moor Trees, and the Woodland Trust to plant the young trees at Wistman's Wood National Nature Reserve. The ancient woodland has stood for hundreds of years, but it needs help expanding to survive modern pressures.

This marks the second major planting effort at the site this year. Back in March 2025, teams planted 450 saplings in the same area.

Temperate rainforests are among the world's rarest habitats, even more endangered than tropical rainforests. England once had vast stretches of these misty, moss-covered woodlands, but today only fragments remain in places like the South West.

The new trees are growing inside protective fencing that shields them from grazing animals while they establish roots. Each sapling represents years of careful planning and future monitoring.

Emma Magee, head of communities and nature on Dartmoor at the Duchy of Cornwall, emphasized the patience required for this work. Expanding a rare temperate rainforest requires steady, long-term effort rather than quick fixes.

The Ripple Effect

These 800 trees will do far more than just add green to the landscape. As they mature over decades, they'll create habitat for rare mosses, lichens, and insects found nowhere else in England. The expanding canopy will provide homes for birds and small mammals while helping regulate water flow across the moor.

Temperate rainforests also punch above their weight in fighting climate change. The combination of trees, mosses, and constantly moist conditions means these woodlands store exceptional amounts of carbon in both living plants and rich soil.

The restoration work at Wistman's Wood could serve as a blueprint for similar projects across the South West. If successful, it proves that even our rarest habitats can bounce back with dedicated community effort.

A forest that has witnessed centuries of history is now growing stronger for the centuries ahead.