CARBON AWARE PRODUCTIONS
CARBON AWARE PRODUCTIONS
Woodland Restoration at the Forest of Marston Vale
Restoring Holcot & Reynolds Wood
Generous funds from Mother | Uber together with CAP clients have paid for 5000 trees to be planted in January 2026 at The Forest of Marston Vale in Bedfordshire. They are part of a management plan to breathe life back into Holcot and Reynolds Woods.
History of the Forest
Once scarred by clay pits and over 100 smoking chimneys, the 61-square-mile Forest of Marston Vale between Bedford and Milton Keynes has undergone an incredible transformation. In the early 1990s, it became a Community Forest, and since then 2.75 million trees have been planted, creating 13 new woodlands. Tree cover has grown from just 3.6% to an impressive 16.9% - turning a landscape of industry into one of renewal and green life.
The Forest of Marston Vale Trust isn't ready to stop yet.
They want to bring tree cover to 30% across the 61 square mile Forest area. Your funds in 2026 are going to this Forest to revitalise Holcot and Reynolds Woods.
Holcot & Reynolds Woods in The Forest of Marston Vale
HOLCOT & REYNOLDS WOOD
All woodlands need active management to truly thrive and deliver the benefits that healthy woods offer. After years without active management, Holcot and Reynolds Woods have been in dire need of intervention. The Forest of Marston Vale Trust has a 10-year management plan - approved by the Forestry Commission & following UK Forestry Standards, Natural England and Woodland Trust guidelines - which aims to boost woodland resilience to pests, disease and climate change while enhancing biodiversity.
WORK DONE
The Forest team have coppiced the woodland, cutting back branches, shoots and removing dead wood as an essential step one in the plan. This allows sunlight to reach the forest floor, stimulating the tree’s growth and encouraging wildflowers, grasses and shrubs to grow. As a result insects, birds and mammals will have been able to move in to former dead zones, creating a richer ecosystem.
ASH DIE BACK
The woodland has a significant ash component, much of which has been affected by ash dieback. Following advice from the Forestry Commission and Natural England, 70% of the affected ash have been removed.
Planting Your Trees
January 2026, Bedordshire
Across the gloomiest days of early Jan, hardy local volunteers were forcing spades into the cold ground in a sterling effort to get trees planted. They managed several hundred of the 5000 total CAP funded trees that have now been planted to help replenish the ancient Holcot & Reynolds Woods. The work is tough but thanks to its strong purpose everyone kept locked in! The trees will replace any dying ash and boost growth throughout. Species include oak, hornbeam, field maple, hazel, Scot’s pine, silver birch, alder and small leaved lime. Thank you to all those planters and the Forest of Marston Vale Trust team for doing such an incredible job.
