Volunteers are invited to help collect the seeds that will create and restore woodlands on Dartmoor.

A series of seed harvesting days is taking place at woodland sites across the moor during September and October, organised by the charity Moor Trees.

The seeds, berries and nuts will be taken to the charity’s Community Tree Nurseries to be cleaned, stored and germinated. In two or three years there will be saplings ready for planting.

Moor Trees sources and grows a wide range of local provenance native broadleaved woodland species, including Oak, Hawthorn, Hazel, Field Maple, Guelder Rose, Rowan, Blackthorn, Crab Apple and Alder Buckthorn.

The seed gathering sessions are funded by the Woodland Trust, with money from the Postcode Lottery.

Dave Lewis, Operations Manager for Moor Trees, said: “Thanks to the generosity of volunteers, landowners and the Woodland Trust, we are able to gather a wide range of local, native tree seed allowing us to grow resilient, local provenance trees in our two Community Tree Nurseries ready for woodland creation on Dartmoor.

“Our seed gathering days with the local community provide a unique opportunity to spend time in some of our most majestic local woodlands, learning more about the growth cycle of trees and how the charity is working hard to create future woodlands across the area.”

The sessions take place at locations across Dartmoor including the following:

Sunday, September 6 – Hembury Woods, Buckfastleigh

Sunday, September 13 – Newbridge, Ashburton

Thursday, September 17 – Bovey Valley Woods, Pullabrook car park

Sunday, October 4 – Venford reservoir, Western car park, near Holne

Volunteers are asked to arrive at 10.30am for an 11am start, and the session ends at 4pm.

On the day, the volunteers will be given an overview of how to identify different species, assess the health of trees and shrubs and harvest their seeds. They will also learn more about the importance of the charity’s seed collecting activities.

Adam Taylor, Interim Outreach Manager for the Woodland Trust, said: “We are pleased to be able to support Moor Trees. Their work fills a significant gap in the market by collecting locally sourced seeds and growing them into trees, many of which are difficult to source elsewhere.

“Because the seed comes from locally established trees, we know it originates from stock that is well suited to local conditions. This helps to improve survival rates and, in turn, enhances the health and resilience of new woods and trees, many of which will be planted within the region’s temperate rainforest zone.”

This year’s long, dry summer has had a noticeable effect on local trees. Mature trees have been dropping fruits and leaves earlier to preserve water. Moor Trees has already had to enlist volunteers from its Community Tree Nurseries to help collect Hazel nuts, which are usually ready in mid-August, but have ripened weeks earlier this year.

However, some areas have been less affected by the drought than others; trees in woodlands seem to be more resilient to the hot dry weather.

For more information about Moor Trees and a full list of the seed harvesting sessions, visit https://moortrees.org