National Trust teamed up with Pembrokeshire’s Cub Scouts this March for a mass tree-planting on the Stackpole Estate.

The conservation charity invited the young people to get stuck in and plant over 300 trees in Castle Dock Woods, with the support of the Trust’s rangers.

Braving the wet weather and muddy conditions, the Cub Scouts planted a mixture of oak, wild cherry, hornbeam, sweet chestnut and downy birch trees. These species join the existing hazel, small-leaved lime and alder trees which were added over winter.

The work is part of a long-term project to restore this area of woodland following the loss of 1,000 mature trees in the storms of early 2013. Opting for a broad mix of trees has the potential to benefit a wide range of bird, insect and plant life, and will help transform the former conifer plantation to a species-rich broadleaf wood.

Speaking about the project, Trust ranger Alex Shilling, said: “This new partnership has been a fantastic opportunity to engage young people with the future of our woodlands.

“As the next generation, they will be the ones who will be able to appreciate and enjoy this special woodland as it comes to maturity, so it seems fitting that they should be part of forming its future. 

“It was a pleasure working with the Cub Scouts and their leaders for the day and to see so much enthusiasm for being part of this next chapter in the woodland’s life.”

Linda Wilson, the area commissioner for Pembrokeshire Scouts, added: “As the Cub Scouts in Pembrokeshire, along with those throughout the world, have just been celebrating 100 years of Cub Scouting, we were thrilled when the National Trust agreed to let us plant some trees at Stackpole that we hope will still be growing when Cubs celebrate the next 100 years.

“We had a wonderful day planting 300 trees assisted by the Trust rangers, and everyone went home tired and very muddy - the best way to be!”

Find out more about the Trust’s work at Stackpole at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stackpole