Woodland Restoration at the Forest of Marston Vale
Restoring Holcot & Reynolds Wood
Generous funds from Mother | Uber together with CAP clients paid for 5000 trees to be planted in January 2026 at The Forest of Marston Vale in Bedfordshire. They were part of a management plan to breathe life back into two of the Forest's smaller woodlands called Holcot and Reynolds Woods.
History of The Forest
Once scarred by clay pits and over 100 smoking chimneys, the 61-square-mile Forest of Marston Vale between Bedford and Milton Keynes has undergone an incredible transformation. In the early 1990s, it became a Community Forest, and since then 2.75 million trees have been planted, creating 13 new woodlands. Tree cover has grown from just 3.6% to an impressive 16.9% - turning a landscape of industry into one of renewal and green life. The Forest Trust doesn't plan to stop there however. Their goal is to raise tree cover across the 61 square miles to 30%.
© The Forest of Marston Vale
HOLCOT & REYNOLDS WOOD
All woodlands need active management to truly thrive and deliver the benefits that healthy woods offer. After years without attention, Holcot and Reynolds Woods have been in dire need of intervention. The Forest of Marston Vale Trust therefore created a 10-year management plan - approved by the Forestry Commission & following UK Forestry Standards, Natural England and Woodland Trust guidelines - which has aimed to boost woodland resilience to pests, disease and climate change while enhancing biodiversity. Their plans included the planting of our 5,000 new trees.
WORK DONE
The Forest team coppiced the woodland, cutting back branches, shoots and removing dead wood as an essential step one in the plan. This allowed sunlight to reach the forest floor, stimulating the tree’s growth and encouraging wildflowers, grasses and shrubs to grow. As a result insects, birds and mammals have been able to move in to former dead zones, creating a richer ecosystem.
ASH DIE BACK
The woodland has a significant ash component, much of which has been affected by ash dieback. Following advice from the Forestry Commission and Natural England, 70% of the affected ash were therefore removed.
Planting 5,000 Trees
January 2026, Bedordshire
Across the gloomiest of weeks in early January, hardy local volunteers were forcing spades into the cold ground in a sterling effort to get the 5,000 CAP-funded trees planted to help replenish the ancient Holcot & Reynolds Woods. The trees will replace dying ash and boost growth throughout. Species include oak, hornbeam, field maple, hazel, Scot’s pine, silver birch, alder and small leaved lime. Thanks goes to all those planters and the Forest of Marston Vale Trust team for doing such an great job.
Holcot & Reynolds Woods in The Forest of Marston Vale
