More Than 24,500 Trees Planted Across Cumbria as New Figures Show Scale of Tree Loss
More than 24,500 trees have been planted across Cumbria as part of work to improve woodland, water quality and wildlife habitats.
The trees have been planted by United Utilities since October across 110 hectares at three sites in the county, including Haweswater and Thirlmere. The work is part of a wider programme to create healthier landscapes and support nature-based solutions across the company’s land.
The planting comes as recent satellite data from Global Forest Watch suggests Cumbria lost around 46 hectares of natural forest in 2025. That means the area covered by the new tree planting is more than twice the size of the natural forest area recorded as lost in the county last year.
However, the figures should be treated carefully. Tree cover loss does not always mean permanent deforestation. It can include forestry work, storm damage, disease or other causes of canopy loss.
What Has Been Planted?
United Utilities said more than 24,500 trees have been planted on land it owns across Cumbria since October.
The trees have been planted over 110 hectares, which is around 272 acres. It is also roughly the size of more than 150 full-size football pitches.
New woodland can provide important benefits for the environment. Trees create shelter and food for wildlife, improve biodiversity and help capture carbon from the atmosphere.
They can also play a key role in managing water. Tree roots help bind soil together and woodland can slow the flow of rainwater running off hillsides and into rivers, streams and reservoirs. This can help reduce erosion and support cleaner water supplies.
How Does This Compare With Tree Cover Loss?
According to Global Forest Watch, Cumbria lost around 46 hectares of natural forest in 2025.
By area, the 110 hectares of new planting is around 2.4 times larger than that recorded natural forest loss figure.
That comparison gives a useful sense of scale, but it does not mean Cumbria has simply “gained” 64 hectares of forest overall. Newly planted trees take many years to mature. While tree cover loss can involve established woodland or canopy that has already been providing habitat, shade and carbon storage.
There is also a difference between planting trees and replacing mature woodland. A young tree plantation will not offer the same immediate environmental value as an older woodland, but it can become increasingly valuable over time if it is managed well.
Peatland Restoration at Thirlmere
Alongside the tree planting, United Utilities has also carried out major peatland restoration work at Thirlmere.
Around 175 hectares of peatland has been restored, which is equivalent to more than 240 football pitches.
Peatland is an important part of Cumbria’s natural landscape. Healthy peat can store large amounts of carbon and water. When peatland is damaged or dries out, it can release carbon and lose its ability to hold water properly.
Restoring peatland helps keep more water in the landscape, supports wildlife and improves natural drainage. It can also make upland areas more resilient during both heavy rain and dry weather.
Why Woodland and Peatland Matter
United Utilities said woodland and peatland can act like natural filtration systems.
This means they help reduce the amount of sediment and other material that runs off land and enters water sources. By improving water quality naturally, these projects can support cleaner rivers, streams and reservoirs while reducing pressure on treatment systems.
Nature-based work can also help the landscape cope with a changing climate. In wet periods, woodland and peatland can slow water movement. In dry periods, they can help the land hold on to moisture for longer.
A Positive Step, But Context Matters
The planting of more than 24,500 trees is a positive environmental step for Cumbria, especially when combined with peatland restoration and wider habitat work.
The scale is also notable when compared with the 46 hectares of natural forest loss recorded in Cumbria in 2025. The new planting covers a much larger area, but it should not be seen as a direct like-for-like replacement for lost or damaged woodland.
Mature trees, natural woodland and restored habitats all have different roles to play. Protecting existing woodland remains important, while new planting can help create the forests and habitats of the future.
With 110 hectares of new planting and 175 hectares of peatland restoration, the work marks a significant investment in Cumbria’s natural environment and long-term landscape resilience.
