In a landmark event at the Bowthorpe Oak near Bourne – reputed to be England’s oldest oak tree – Lincolnshire County Council and the Woodland Trust have officially launched the LincWoods project.
This ambitious initiative aims to plant 200,000 trees across Lincolnshire by 2026, significantly enhancing the region’s green spaces and biodiversity. It will mean over 130 football fields’ worth of new woodland and 20,000 metres of new hedgerows.
The Bowthorpe Oak is estimated to be over a thousand years old and boasts the widest girth of any oak to its kind in the UK at 13.38 metres.
The county council and Woodland Trust’s partnership agreement outlines a collaborative effort to deliver the MOREwoods and MOREhedges schemes to landowners across Lincolnshire. Through this initiative, landowners can receive funding and support for planting trees and hedges, contributing to the county’s environmental goals.
Cllr Martin Hill, Leader of Lincolnshire County Council, expressed his enthusiasm for the project. He said: “This partnership represents a significant step forward in our commitment to environmental sustainability. By collaborating with the Woodland Trust, we can profoundly impact our local landscape and biodiversity, ensuring Lincolnshire remains green and vibrant for future generations. In a thousand years, our descendants may well be standing in the shade of oaks planted by LincWoods. It’s an inspiring legacy.”
Paul Woodgate, Outreach Officer for the Woodland Trust, highlighted the importance of community involvement. He said:
“The LincWoods project is a fantastic opportunity for local landowners to play a crucial role in enhancing our natural environment. We are proud to support Lincolnshire County Council in this initiative and look forward to seeing the positive outcomes – for nature, people and climate – of our combined efforts. There will be free tree and hedgerow pack giveaway events this Autumn.”
The project offers substantial subsidies for tree and hedge planting. This funding from Lincolnshire County Council, combined with support from the Woodland Trust and Lloyds, ensures that the cost to landowners is minimised, encouraging widespread participation.
