Trees for Healthy Rivers

The project will plant 1090 trees and hedge plants in the Holme Catchment to benefit the river, the wildlife it supports and people who access the river for recreation.

Trees are a key component of a healthy river and important for creating resilience to floods, droughts and pollution. They are important for rivers because they:
Provide shelter for aquatic animals i.e trout use overhanging branches and submerged tree roots to hide from predators.
Provide leaves and woody material to the river – this is a primary input of nutrients and food for detritus shredding invertebrates, which are important food for trout and birds.
Provide shade during periods of low flows and high temperature, reducing water temperatures and helping to maintain oxygen in the water.
Have a major role in creating a dynamic river. A fallen tree can trap sediment, create scour pools and clean gravels.
Stabilise river banks and reduce the amount of run-off that enters the river directly during periods of heavy rain.