Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
At the Woodland Trust’s Smithills Estate in Bolton, Manchester, a group of enthusiastic young volunteers come together to plant 300 new trees along Smithills’ historic tramway route. Using a new method called ‘hedgehogging’, species such as Hawthorn, Oaks and Scots Pine are planted around existing trees to offer them protection as they mature. Our young volunteers showcase their planting skills and share personal perspectives about what being involved in tree planting events mean to them, and why others should get involved too.
The Smithills Estate is one of many sites that make up the wider Northern Forest landscape, contributing towards an ambitious target of planting 50 million trees by 2043. To get involved with the work taking place at the Smithills Estate, visit https://linktr.ee/WTSmithills or to find out which Community Forests are offering volunteer opportunities in your area, visit https://thenorthernforest.org.uk.
With thanks to the team at the Smithills Estate and to The National Lottery Heritage Fund who made this planting day possible.
At the Woodland Trust’s Smithills Estate in Bolton, Manchester, a group of enthusiastic young volunteers come together to plant 300 new trees along Smithills’ historic tramway route. Using a new method called ‘hedgehogging’, species such as Hawthorn, Oaks and Scots Pine are planted around existing trees to offer them protection as they mature. Our young volunteers showcase their planting skills and share personal perspectives about what being involved in tree planting events mean to them, and why others should get involved too.
The Smithills Estate is one of many sites that make up the wider Northern Forest landscape, contributing towards an ambitious target of planting 50 million trees by 2043. To get involved with the work taking place at the Smithills Estate, visit https://linktr.ee/WTSmithills or to find out which Community Forests are offering volunteer opportunities in your area, visit https://thenorthernforest.org.uk.
With thanks to the team at the Smithills Estate and to The National Lottery Heritage Fund who made this planting day possible.
