Welcome to Trees for Cotherstone

All Trees for Cotherstone activities are freely open to everyone with an interest in tree conservation work.  Anyone who would like addtional information or is interested in joining the group please contact Peter Ditchburn 01833 650186 or Anne Webb 01833 650772 email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The local landscape depends very much on the trees which grow in field boundaries. Sadly, most are old and deterorating and many lose branches or are blown down during gales. Replacements are seldom, if ever, planted.

Trees for Cotherstone was formed in October 2003  to initiate and undertake environmental projects, including the planting of trees, and to maintain the landscape and promote an interest in environmental issues among the residents of Cotherstone village. Since then the group has planted hundreds of native trees within stock proof shelters. In time these will grow to replace the fine specimens which now exist, helping to maintain the attractive landscape of the area as well as provide shelter and food for wildlife.

A steering committee meets formally three times per year to plan future work, while the group meets informally on a regular basis throughout the year to carry out preparatory work, the planting and maintenance of tree saplings, and to hold social events to promote the work of the group and encourage new members.

Trees for Cotherstone has published a booklet which helps readers enjoy the trees which abound in this area, by describing first some of the species to be found in the village and then a walk to see them. The walk is not strenuous and the booklets have proved to be very popular. The group also works with Cotherstone Primary School, helping children with enviromental projects including collecting and sowing seeds of native trees and subsequently planting them out in the countryside. Following this principle, Trees for Cotherstone has now established its own tree nursery  and saplings grown from locally collected seeds are ready to be planted.

The work of Trees for Cotherstone has been recognised regionally. In 2005 it won joint first prize in the North Pennines AONB Partnerships Conservation Awards and in 2006 gained second prize in the North East Community Forest's Community Award Scheme. In 2009 Trees for Cotherstone was awarded a County Durham Community Partnership Enviroment  Award in recognition of the commitment of all parties involved in succesfully delivering this scheme to the benefit of the  local community. During the past four years it has undertaken a survey of the mature trees around the village and by using detailed maps and aerial photographs supported by the anecdotal evidence from some of the older village residents has estimated the changes in tree population with time. The aim of this project was to identify tree species around the village, investigate variations with altitude and topography, ages of trees and consider whether the population was in decline. The findings are reported in The Teesdale Record Society Journal 2009.

The work of the group has now received national recognition. On 17th November 2010 Ian Moorhouse, a founder member and former chairman, attended a reception for people involved with the rural community at Windsor Castle which was hosted by the Queen and Prince Phillip. 

Trees for Cotherstone are planning some exciting new projects for Autumn 2011 commencing in National Tree week on 26th November (see News section)