Tree planting to create a rainforest for the future

Join us at Bowden Pillars for a community tree planting event with friends and family and help us plant a forest for the future

Come plant some trees at Bowden Pillars, situated on the outskirts of Totnes in South Devon. Thanks to a long-term partnership with Aviva, Devon Wildlife Trust is creating an Atlantic Rainforest, also known as Temperate Rainforest, right here in Devon!

This 30-hectare (75-acre) site, with stunning views of South Devon and Dartmoor, will be transformed as Devon Wildlife Trust plants native trees across two-thirds of the land, establishing a new rainforest that will one day thrive with wildlife. We invite you, along with friends and family, to be a part of this journey by helping plant the young trees - a gift to future generations.

A rainforest takes about 100 years to fully mature and will host tree species such as sessile oak, birch, rowan, holly, alder, willow, and hazel. It will provide a haven for animals like stoats and pine martens, as well as rare birds such as wood warblers, redstarts, and pied flycatchers. The damp conditions will support an abundance of mosses, liverworts, lichens, and ferns, many of which grow on the trees or cover boulders. These conditions are also ideal for fungi, including globally rare species such as hazel gloves fungus.

Join us in creating a legacy for the land - come plant a tree!

How to get there:

There is no parking on site. If driving, please park in Totnes public car parks and walk to Fishchowters Lane, TQ9 5EX, which will lead you to the event site (about a 5–10 minute walk).

Access to the planting field is through the wooden pedestrian gate opposite Bowden Springs Farm, off Fishchowters Lane (gate W3W: study.nightlife.disco). There will be signage on the day. The walk has a slight incline, the path is uneven, and work will take place in a field, unfortunately making it unsuitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.

What to bring and facilities:

Please dress for the weather, sturdy footwear or wellies are recommended and bring your own refreshments if you wish. There are no toilet facilities on site (the nearest are in Totnes). We ask that dogs do not attend this event; assistance dogs are welcome.

Equipment such as shovels and hammers will be provided. We will have a limited number of kneeling pads available to assist with planting; if this is important to you, we recommend bringing your own. Please do not bring your own trees to plant.

Other:

The Devon Wildlife Trust Communications team will be filming aspects of the day for use in DWT marketing, including the website and social media. If you have any questions, please speak to the team on the day.