Trees provide numerous benefits, known as ecosystem services, to people and our environment. Our UK woodlands absorb 21 million tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. That's around a third of the carbon dioxide emitted by cars every year in the UK. They also help to limit flooding as they store water on the land which helps to slow the flow of water downstream after extreme rain events. Trees further support a wide range of species that are crucial for our ecosystem such as birds, bats, insects and fungi. Native tree species are known to support greater biodiversity with Oak woodlands having the greatest biodiversity recorded of any of our woodlands in the UK.

Our Derwent Living Forest Programme directly supports the planting of more trees in the Derwent Catchment and aims to create 30,000 hectares of wooded habitat by 2050. Working with landowners, councils, schools and community groups is essential for us to achieve our vision and creating tree nurseries is one of the engagement activities our programme supports with. Over the last year we’ve supported multiple schools to create tree nurseries on their school grounds, this has helped to engage young people in understanding how to grow, maintain and care for young tree saplings. After a few years, the young trees can be transplanted to other suitable locations on the school ground or within the local community.

Below is an example activity we do with students when we are creating tree nurseries.

Acorn planting

This is a great activity to do from late September onwards as acorns start to fall from oak trees. The acorns could be collected from the school grounds or local community if oak trees are growing there. Ensure you collect acorns from native species – pedunculate or sessile oak.

Here’s our guide to planting acorns.

1. Each person picks one acorn to be planted. When collecting acorns take those that have already fallen from the tree. If not planting the acorns straight away, then they can be stored in a cool dry place, a brown paper bag is ideal for storing.

2. Prepare a sheltered area to plant the acorn’s, raised beds are the most suitable.

3. When ready to plant, do the acorn test to check the acorns are suitable:

· Check for holes (weevils sometimes get into them and lay their eggs)

· Give the acorn a gentle squeeze. If it’s soft there is air inside making it unsuitable for planting.

· Shake it near to your ear, if it rattles, again it’s no good as it has air inside.

· Do the float test. Put it in water – the ones that sink are good for planting but the ones that float aren’t.

4. Plant the acorn with the point facing downwards as this is where the tap root will emerge from. Plant at a depth approximate to the circumference of the acorn (about 2-3cm) deep depending on the size of the acorn.

5. That’s it! Over the next few months, you should see the sapling emerge and over the first year it can grow up to about 50cm in height.

Planting acorns helps to mimic natural processes as naturally jay’s and squirrels bury acorns in the autumn as a food store for over winter. The acorns they forget to dig up are left to germinate and some will grow into saplings. This ties in with another activity we do each year called ‘Be a Jay Day’.

Of course, acorns are just one seed that can be planted, you can also vary your tree nursery by planting other seeds and nuts such as hazel, hawthorn, rowan and birch.

If you’d like more support or information on setting up your own tree nursery, please get in touch at DLF@derbyshirewt.co.uk

Additionally, if you’d like to join our Derwent Living Forest network and receive email updates about the programme, please let us know at the same email address as above.