Flood Mitigation around the Somerset Levels

Between 2024 & 2026, CAP clients funded the planting of 8,571 trees to help break up flood water in & around the Somerset Levels.

Channelling Water Underground

Planting trees to break up flood water

The Somerset Levels is a breath-taking 160,000 acre expanse of low-lying flat land in the West Country, rich in history, archaeology and wildlife. It is made up of wetlands, rivers and man-made drainage channels known as “rhynes.” Much of the area lies at or just above sea level, making it highly fertile but also extremely vulnerable to flooding.

Increased heavy rainfall in recent years has led to annual flooding that is more frequent and harder to manage. The floods of 2013-14 raised the alarm on how severe the problem could be, saturating farmland and leaving villages like Muchelney cut off by floodwater for ten weeks. It inspired local tree planting group, Reimagining the Levels, to set up and plant tens of thousands of trees to help break up the flow of flood water, channelling it underground via the tree root networks.

Around the Somerset Levels

Between 2024 & 2026, 7,523 trees were planted across 20 local projects that were all good in the true sense of the word. Among them, The Levels School was able to plant 328 hedge trees in the school gardens, Lorna in North Curry planted 367 hedge trees to protect her bungalow from flooding, and Michael and Sue restored a neglected piece of land in Emborough that is now enjoyed by both wildlife & the local community.

Moredon House

During the spring of 2026, a further 700 CAP trees were planted to extend existing woodland along a ridge of farmland in Somerset, helping slow water run off from the surrounding hills. The site is visible from a distance with a public footpath along the southwest corner allowing walkers to enjoy the new trees.

Overleigh Trust

In the spring of 2026, 348 CAP-funded trees were planted at an enchanting project run by the Overleigh Trust Charity in Somerton, Somerset. Their plan was to turn a once brambly zone into a haven for people, wildlife and a very active forest school for primary age children. 12 fruit trees were included in the plan which will supply fruit in time.