The Knoll: creating a community woodland

When Teresa Whatley contacted The Mersey Forest, she had a clear vision. She wanted to create something meaningful in a field that has been in her family for around 100 years – a lasting legacy for her grandsons that would also benefit nature and the wider community.

The result is a new woodland at The Knoll, near Mouldsworth in Cheshire. Planted on land that was previously semi-improved grassland, the site now includes 433 native trees, along with fruit trees that can be enjoyed by both people and wildlife.

For Teresa, creating this woodland was about continuing her family’s connection to the land while ensuring it has a positive future.

A mixture of native trees and shrubs were planted to complement existing habitat. Credit: The Mersey Forest.

Creating a personal legacy with shared benefits

Working with The Mersey Forest, Teresa explored how part of the field could be transformed through woodland creation, while keeping options open for the remaining land. The aim was to create a woodland that feels welcoming, supports biodiversity and provides a space that local people could enjoy.

Set within open countryside and with views across the surrounding landscape, the woodland is already becoming a place for quiet enjoyment. A boundary fence protects the young trees, and access points mean that walkers and dog owners can enjoy the local landscape.

The site sits alongside Peckmill Brook, where existing trees already provide valuable habitat for wildlife. Extending woodland here helps strengthen these habitat connections, supports a more resilient local landscape and could also help slow surface water runoff into the brook during heavy rainfall.

Designed for the future

A mix of twelve native broadleaf species were chosen to suit the site’s wet, clay-rich soils. Shrubs planted along the northern boundary create a softer transition between grassland and woodland. As the woodland matures, it will become an increasingly rich environment for wildlife – providing shelter and valuable habitat for birds, insects and small mammals.

The Knoll has become a place where people can enjoy the peace and quiet of nature. Credit: The Mersey Forest.

Benefits for people, nature and climate

The Knoll now offers a peaceful green space where the local community can enjoy short walks, views across the landscape and a moment of calm in nature. Teresa is also hoping to add simple features such as wooden benches in the future, giving visitors a place to sit and enjoy the setting.

For nature, the woodland is already beginning to create new habitat and strengthen links with nearby trees and watercourses. Over time, it will support a wider range of wildlife as the woodland develops.

And for climate, the site contributes to long-term carbon storage, helping to support climate goals as the trees grow.

A woodland rooted in family history

“The field has been in my family for approximately 100 years. I wanted to leave a legacy for my grandsons, and with the help of The Mersey Forest I now have a woodland that can be enjoyed by us and the local community,” explains Teresa.

“It has enabled me to create something positive for nature and wildlife, and I hope in some small way it will have a positive impact on the environment and the climate.”

Be part of the Northern Forest

Want to plant trees? Whether you’re creating new woodland or extending an existing site, you can reap a whole host of extra benefits.

• Boost biodiversity.
• Provide shelter.
• Protect your soil.
• Fight flooding

Your new trees could be part of the Northern Forest and make a difference for people, wildlife and the environment in the North of England.