Rachael’s Story: Fighting flooding and improving soil quality with trees

Increasing biodiversity, sheltering livestock, preventing soil erosion, boosting carbon capture… these are some of the many benefits of planting trees. But for horse owner Rachael Spence, reducing flood risk was at the top of the list of priorities when she approached the Woodland Trust.

Rachael owns and leases over 40ha of land for grazing horses and growing hay and crops at her Leicestershire property.

© Phil Formby / The Woodlands Trust

For many years part of her land was blighted by flooding and soil erosion, affecting the viability of the business and causing soil degradation and other environmental harms.

In 2021 Rachael turned to the Woodland Trust’s MOREwoods scheme, which provides subsidised trees together with advice and guidance for landowners on planting and management.

“In the last five years we have noticed a huge difference in the amount of rainfall,” said Rachael. “We have a pond area on the land, and were looking for solutions that were cost effective and good for the environment to hold it together… What better way than trees?”

Trees help mitigate flooding in a variety of ways. They strengthen the soil structure which helps reduce run-off, in turn preventing pollutants and nutrients from leaching out of the soil and into local watercourses.

They also reduce the volume of water held in the soil, and importantly for Rachael, their roots help bind soil to sloping ground, such as on the banks of ponds and rivers.

She was also keen to provide a healthier living environment for her horses, sheltering them from strong winds and reducing sun exposure.

“In November last year, we were successful in getting some trees from the Trust,” she said.  After consulting with the Trust’s adviser, a mix of native species were chosen for their ease of growth and value to wildlife.

© Phil-Formby/The Woodlands Trust

Rachael planted 1,000 trees and shrubs in the area near the pond which suffered drainage issues.

“Already we are noticing a big difference,” she said. “Without the subsidy we could not have planted such a large area; it was crucial to being able to afford to plant out a hectare of land.”

As to the future? Rachael’s woodland will start to emerge in the next three to five years, enhancing biodiversity and improving drainage at the site, while making the landscape more resilient.

Rachael said: “I am very excited not only at how it will look in 20 or 30 years’ time, but also the benefits to nature it will bring. If other people have land they are unable to use or problems with drainage, I would highly recommend seeking advice from the Trust.”

If you’re looking to reduce flooding, or simply create a brighter future for people, wildlife and the environment, with MOREwoods you can receive the advice and support you need to plant with confidence. 

Our expert advisers guide you through the application process, create a bespoke species mix, supply the trees and plant protection — and cover up to 75% of the cost.

MOREwoods is funded by Lloyds Bank to support sustainable farming.