Tree Planting 2026
4 February 2026
As part of our Greener Benchmark Scheme, we spent another rewarding Friday with the Forest of Marston Vale, planting trees at the same Silsoe site as last year, a tradition we’re proud to keep growing year on year.
It was great to be back and to see just how many trees had been planted since our last visit. We were once again lucky with the weather; only a light shower made an appearance, but it didn’t dampen our spirits! If anything, it just made us plough on a little harder... Sorry, I’ll stop now!
After what looked like days of rain (judging by the state of our boots after the short walk over), the soft, muddy ground turned out to be perfect for planting. We spent the morning getting our hands properly muddy while planting a mix of oak, Scots pine, hornbeam, field maple and wild cherry, all native species that will support wildlife and strengthen the local landscape for years to come.
There’s something really satisfying about seeing the difference you can make in just two hours. By the end of the session, the site was dotted with newly planted trees, and we left feeling tired, proud, and a lot muddier than when we arrived.
Afterwards, we headed back to the Forest Centre for a well-earned lunch and a chance to reflect on another positive day of sustainability in action.
If your organisation would like to get involved in tree planting with the Forest of Marston Vale, we’d highly recommend it. To find out more, get in touch with Robina at robina.ballard-davis@marstonvale.org.