How trees can improve water quality and manage flooding
Learn how planting trees can help manage flooding, improve water quality, and support aquatic habitats.
From natural flood management to improving the quality of water, woodland creation can bring many benefits to your land.
Water benefits of woodland planting
Read about the benefits that tree planting and woodland creation bring to water management and water quality in our fact sheet.
Stackable payments available for benefits to water
Under the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO), your woodland may be eligible for additional payments for benefits to water quality, reduced flood risk, and riparian buffers.
UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) practice guides
These Forest Research guides offer practical advice for woodland owners, managers, planners, and practitioners on how to sustainably manage woodlands to protect and enhance the water environment.
Other reading and resources
Find out more about the far-reaching benefits woods can bring to water with the further reading and resources below.
Case studies
- Tree planting and woodland creation case studies
- Rivers Trust’s revitalising the riverbank
- City of Trees’ flood resilience in a rainy city
Blogs
- Making space for nature – to benefit water
- How planting trees on our land can benefit nature, climate, and people with Yorkshire Water and Nation Trust
- Right tree, right place, to support water and wildlife with Eden Rivers Trust
- How beavers and trees can support our waterways with Devon Wildlife Trust
Webinars
Videos
Updates to this page
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Updated collection page with latest resources, including Forest Research's practice guides on water management.
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Added a link to 'creating and managing riparian woodland'.
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First published.