Broadleaf woodland
By July 2027, five additional hectares of broadleaf woodland will be completed.
Reforestation
Restoring temperate rainforest in Applecross, UK
Overview
Site
Timeline
Benefits
Verification
Why support this project?
Applecross Community Woodland is restoring the 14.5-hectare Torgarve Woods in Applecross, Scotland, transforming a former Sitka spruce plantation into a thriving native woodland and temperate rainforest habitat. The project, collectively owned by the community since 2019 and acquired in 2021 with support from the Scottish Land Fund, aims to create over ten hectares of native woodland. The 2026–2027 objectives include creating five additional hectares of broadleaf woodland, establishing a community orchard, and equipping volunteers with green skills for woodland management.
This project addresses the urgent need to restore degraded plantation forests into biodiverse native woodlands that benefit both wildlife and local communities. By converting open hillside used for rough grazing into temperate rainforest, the project enhances habitat connectivity and provides recreational, educational, and green skill training opportunities. The community-led model ensures long-term stewardship, putting Applecross on the map for regenerative tourism and heritage activities while building organisational resilience.
Why plant trees?
Reforestation replants trees on land hit by natural or human disturbance. It restores forest structure and canopy, protects biodiversity and watersheds, and promotes carbon sequestration.
Project summary
The project is located at Torgarve Woods in Applecross, Scotland, on a 35-acre site currently used as open hillside for rough grazing. The site was previously a Sitka spruce plantation, which was clear-felled in 2021 to remove non-native trees and allow for the restoration of native woodland. The project is managed by Applecross Community Company, a community development trust and registered charity, and is led by local volunteers.
Locations
United Kingdom
Timeline
Follow the latest milestones and updates from this project.
Planting Period
This will be the main planting period for 8,500 native trees, until January 2027/
Benefits
Climate
The planting of 8,500 native trees will help capture carbon, reduce wind and water runoff, and improve the local environment. The conversion of rough grazing land into temperate rainforest habitat will enhance the landscape’s resilience to climate change, while the diverse mix of native species increases resistance to pests, disease, and drought.
Nature
The project creates improved habitats and connectivity for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife across the Applecross region. By replacing a single-species Sitka spruce plantation with a diverse mix of native UK tree species, the project restores ecological balance and supports the development of an Atlantic rainforest habitat. Tree protection measures, including guards and regular monitoring, ensure the survival and establishment of new plantings.
People
The project provides significant educational and social benefits, equipping volunteers with practical green skills in tree planting, management, and coppicing. Participants will learn to use tools for making baskets and shinty sticks, and develop skills in orchard management for free, accessible food sources. The community-led approach fosters a strong sense of pride and responsibility, with volunteers actively involved in monitoring, maintenance, and long-term stewardship of the woodland. The project also celebrates local heritage, including Gaelic culture and archaeological features dating back over 2,000 years.
SDGs supported
The planting of 8,500 native trees will capture carbon and reduce wind and water runoff. Converting rough grazing land into temperate rainforest builds the landscape’s resilience to climate change.
The project replaces a single-species Sitka spruce plantation with a diverse mix of native UK trees, restoring ecological balance and developing Atlantic rainforest habitat. This improves habitat and connectivity for birds, pollinators and other wildlife across the Applecross region. Tree guards and regular monitoring support the survival and establishment of new plantings, while the community ownership model protects the woodland over the long term.
Verification
These partners help deliver the project and verify its impact.
Suppliers
International Tree Foundation
International Tree Foundation is a charity working with local communities to plant trees and restore forests in places where, together, we can make the fastest, most lasting impact for communities and the future of our planet.