Volunteers gathered at Wistman’s Wood National Nature Reserve last week to help plant a further 800 trees, as part of efforts to extend one of the South West’s last remaining fragments of temperate rainforest. This follows the planting of 450 saplings at the site in March 2025.
The Duchy of Cornwall joined partner organisations Natural England, Moor Trees and the Woodland Trust on site to support the continued restoration of this iconic woodland on Dartmoor, as it works towards its commitment to gradually double its size.
The planting took place within fenced exclusion plots designed to protect young saplings and encourage successful establishment. It forms part of a long-term programme to strengthen the woodland’s resilience and enable its expansion over time.
Saplings grown from locally gathered acorns and rowan seeds at Wistman’s Wood have been raised by Moor Trees at its Community Tree Nursery in Dartington, South Devon, through a partnership with the Duchy of Cornwall that began in 2021.
Wistman’s Wood is an ancient oak woodland covering over seven acres in the West Dart Valley on Dartmoor. It is designated as a National Nature Reserve (NNR), Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in recognition of its ecological importance.
Temperate rainforests are globally rare habitats, with 90% lost since the Bronze Age and only around 8% remaining in Devon and Cornwall, making careful long-term management vital to their future.
The work also supports the ambitions set out last year in the Duchy of Cornwall’s Landscape Vision for Dartmoor – a 20-year roadmap developed with farmers, conservationists and local stakeholders to inform the future environmental management of the Duchy’s Dartmoor landscape.
Emma Magee, Head of Communities and Nature on Dartmoor, The Duchy of Cornwall said: “We are delighted to have been able to return to Wistman’s Wood and to be working with partners including Natural England and Moor Trees to continue this important work. The continued restoration of this iconic woodland reflects the Duchy’s commitment to building and enhancing nature-rich landscapes. Expanding and strengthening a rare temperate rainforest isn’t a one-off intervention, it requires steady, long-term effort. This work forms an important part of our wider efforts to build the long-term resilience of Dartmoor’s landscape, following the release of our Dartmoor Landscape Vision last year.”
Andrew Bakere, Senior Reserves Manager, Natural England said: “This strong partnership is driving woodland expansion around our temperate Rainforests – rare, unique, and irreplaceable habitats. We’re energised in our mission to support wildlife and repair the very fabric of our landscape. These woods represent our past culture and heritage and are our future defence against climate change. They help manage waterflow from the uplands, reduce storm impacts and protecting communities downstream.”
Jess Duffy, Woodland Officer, Moor Trees said: “It is an honour to be able to support the restoration of this globally significant habitat. Our volunteers are playing an integral part in Wistman’s Wood’s recovery and expansion from gathering the acorns and rowan seeds from the existing woodland, nurturing them into young saplings at our Community Tree Nursery and being part of planting days. It is vital that right across Dartmoor we are able to help restore and create new temperate rainforest habitats. Working in partnership is a really effective way to achieve this.”
Elle Bullimore, Regional Director, Woodland Trust said: “We’re thrilled to see more trees taking root on Dartmoor this month, continuing work started at Wistman’s Wood last spring to expand this rare fragment of temperate rainforest. With so little of this precious habitat left in Devon, every sapling counts. Thanks to the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery (PPL), the Woodland Trust has been able to provide funding for protective fencing, which will ensure the young trees have the space they need to establish and thrive. This ongoing effort shows what can be achieved when partners, landowners and local communities come together with a shared vision for restoration.”
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