J&A Group's Tree Planting Scheme

Having looked at various tree planting schemes to help offset some of our carbon emissions, we made the decision to go further and create a native and diverse broadleaf woodland habitat close to home.

We invested in the purchase of just over 4 acres of land a mile or so from our headquarters and started the creation of a broad leaf deciduous woodland. In addition to the one thousand trees and one thousand hedgerow plants included in phase one (planted in 2011), our low density planting retained large areas of meadow to keep the area open for wildlife.

The second planting phase is happening in the winter of 2024 with the addition of a further 1,370 trees.

In total we have used twenty one species of tree. Silver birch and Oak (both sessile and common) form the backbone of the new woodland but the area has been designed to create a useful habitat for bird life and so includes over 800 Hawthorn, Wild Cherry, Crab Apple, Yew and Scots Pine for example, to give year round food and shelter.

Large meadow areas, cut just once each year, will be retained to provide for our four legged friends too. Badgers are a regular visitor to the site.

We have had success in attracting many interesting species of birds over the years – a large open timber building added a decade ago has been a perfect shelter for our resident Little Owls.

Our aim from the outset has been much more than just about planting trees – its been about creating a new wildlife habitat close to our place of work, open to our staff and families for their enjoyment too.

We are looking forward to these woods and meadow areas improving as they grow and mature.