Posted on Wednesday 26th March 2025
Volunteers and rangers plant out more than 40 oak trees in Cannock Chase Country Park.
Volunteers have joined forces with countryside rangers to plant more than 40 oak trees at Brocton Coppice in Cannock Chase Country Park.
The planting is part of Staffordshire County Council’s ongoing efforts to maintain the genetic resilience of the woodland and support its commitment to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
A variety of native tree saplings were also planted alongside the oaks, including rowan, crab apple and holly.
Sarah Bentley, Staffordshire County Council’s Head of Environment and Countryside, said:
“I’d like to say a huge thank you to all the volunteers and staff from the Cannock Chase SAC Partnership who helped our team plant these new trees at Brocton Coppice.
“We’re lucky to have over 400 veteran oak trees in this area, which provide irreplaceable habitats for a variety of wildlife. To safeguard these ancient woodlands into the future, we’re planting trees of different ages and species to strengthen their natural resilience against pests and diseases and to provide a variety of food and nectar sources for wildlife.
“By planting acorns collected from the same area, we’re ensuring that the new trees are perfectly adapted to the local soil and climate. This not only increases the chances of success but also helps support the existing wildlife and fungi that rely on these oak trees to survive.”
Each autumn, the county council’s rangers gather acorns from the veteran oaks at Brocton Coppice and plant them in the tree nursery at the site.
The saplings are carefully tended until they are large enough to be planted out, giving them the best chance of survival.
To protect the young trees from grazing wildlife, they’re placed in tree guards and will be monitored by rangers and volunteers throughout the summer. Regular maintenance, including clearing bracken from around the saplings, will help to support their healthy growth.
Are you interested in volunteering at our country parks? Find out more and get in touch at Countryside Volunteers - Staffordshire County Council.