How Planting Trees Benefits Mental Health and Climate

March 15, 2025March 26, 20254 Comments

This Spring we have been on a mission with the The Woodland Trust to plant more trees to create our own therapeutic woodland.

Native Trees & Climate Change

We have planted native English tress, 105 in total! Oak, Field Maple, Grey Willow, Rowan, Silver Birch & Wild Cherry.

Trees are one of our best defences in the fight against climate change. They absorb carbon, cool cities, prevent floods, clean air and protect wildlife. Planting more trees isn’t just about saving cute animals, it’s about safeguarding our health, homes and future.

The Health Benefits Of Planting Trees

For Iris there are extra benefits from this project, she gets to spend time in nature which helps her anxiety & balances her nervous system.

The digging and heavy work activates her proprioceptors. So what does this mean? Proprioceptors are embedded within our joints and muscles that receive feedback each time we move; they provide us with information about our body’s position in space and where each body part is, as well as what it’s doing. They also give us information regarding how much or how little force we are exerting. This system controls balance, movement, and body awareness. The more detailed work helps with fine motor skills and has the added bonus of sensory joys and intriguing discoveries.

How you can join in with the fun – Plant your own tree

You can help by planting a tree in your garden, outdoor or community space. Even a single tree can make a big difference. Every sapling counts. From alder to yew, plant a tree in your outdoor space and help protect us all.

Here is a link to some helpful advice about how to plant a tree – How to Plant Trees – Plant Trees – Woodland Trust

Connecting with nature lowers cortisol levels and increases serotonin levels, enhancing mood and reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Nurturing plants and witnessing their growth boosts self-esteem and provides a sense of accomplishment.

While planting the Willow Trees in the garden it reminded me of Iris’s painting ‘Willow Grace’, so will leave you with some beautiful colours to inspire some planting.

Creating a Therapeutic Woodland Space

January 7, 2025January 7, 2025Leave a comment

In March 2025 Iris will be part of a new project to create a therapeutic woodland space. We will be planting a small wood of over 100 saplings at The Little Explorers Activity Club. Trees have always been a massive part of Iris’s life and we have travelled to many forests around the world and adored spending time in the ones close to home.

Our piece of land here in Leicestershire in the UK has provided us a base for so many wonderful experiences from pygmy goat agility to natural horsemanship and archery. With the ponies now all settled in their new homes and the land feeling less productive my mind came back to what I strive to create for Iris, peace, a safe place where she can learn and grow.

Our aim – to create a therapeutic sensory space for our workshops. These trees will be donated to us by The Woodland Trust. The UK needs millions more trees to reach its 2050 carbon-zero target and we will dig with them to bring them closer to that goal.

Our wood will be a mix of field maple, rowan, silver birch, wild cherry, common oak and grey willow.

The start of something so special for us and a little contribution to a very big mission.

Let’s think about why we need to plant trees

Trees are essential for people, wildlife and the environment. When it comes to climate change native woods are one of the best ways to tackle the crisis we all face. They lock up carbon, reduce pollution and flooding.

There is a profound sense of calm and well being just by spending time with trees.

They can reduce our cortisol (stress) levels, enhance creativity and keep us cool in the summer heat. The feeling of oneness and peace simply by sitting under a tree can alleviate depression and feelings of isolation. We feel a sense of belonging while spending time with trees. So our wood maybe little but wow what a difference it will make.

Here is a great page of resources for parents, educators and group leaders from The Woodland Trust website

We hope that our little woodland will inspire others to plant more trees even if it’s just adding one to your garden at home we can make a big difference.