2,500 trees have been planted by Cheffins staff in 2025, as part of the firm’s 200-year anniversary, creating a brand-new woodland at Fulbourn, Cambridgeshire.
Set over five acres, the wood is held on a 99-year lease, five miles southeast of Cambridge city centre. It is made up of 12 different native deciduous trees and shrubs that will lend a variety of heights, shapes and seasonal colours that in turn will provide a diverse habitat for wildlife. These include hornbeam, field maple, wild cherry, small-leaved lime, holly and crab apple. Beneath the woodland, Cheffins has established a native grass and wildflower habitat to inject wildlife interest during the early establishment phase of the trees.
The Cheffins team have worked carefully with local stakeholders including Natural England, the Forestry Commission and The Wildlife Trust to ensure that the new woodland blends seamlessly into its surroundings, being linked to other existing wooded areas and, most significantly, to Fulbourn Nature Reserve.
Katie Hilton from Cheffins, Michael Downs who helped with the project and Cheffins' Chairman, Bill King, at the woodland site
Katie Hilton, Director, at Cheffins and who has led the project and says: “The Cheffins’ woodland scheme has given the firm the scope to play a part in tackling climate change. As the woodland grows, it will begin removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and this in turn can be measured through the Woodland Carbon Code. By measuring the amount of carbon stored by the trees, Cheffins can begin the journey of generating independently verified carbon units to offset its emissions. The decision to establish this new woodland at this milestone 200-year point dovetails perfectly with the vital role we have to play in addressing sustainability and mitigating the impact of our operations. Caring for the environment is at the heart of our commitment to corporate responsibility.”
Simon Gooderham, Managing Partner at Cheffins says: “The woodland scheme is a project which we are all incredibly proud of. With approximately only 10 per cent of the UK’s landmass being covered by woodland currently, according to research by the Forestry Commission, we thought it was an important part of Cheffins’ legacy to create some additional habitat which will benefit the local environment and wildlife for future generations. The government this year will be planting three new national forests to meet a legally binding target of 16.5 per cent of woodland cover in England within the next 25 years, and we are pleased to be a part of this national drive to create more woodland areas throughout the country. At Cheffins our priority for this year is to create a firm foundation for the company for the next 200 years, supporting the next generations of Cheffins staff but also the communities throughout the region. The woodland project is sitting front and centre of several large charitable initiatives we are taking part in this year, as we look to celebrate our bicentenary year with purpose.”
As part of the 200-year anniversary, Cheffins has also pledged to give £200,000 to charity, with a minimum of £100,000 for the new Cambridge Children’s Hospital.
Join Cheffins’ efforts and donate to the Cambridge Children’s Hospital here