South West Water planting 196-acre forest in Devon

The mixed conifer and native broadleaf forest will complement the trees SWW planted in the early 1990s when it built the 8-billion gallon capacity Roadford Lake reservoir. As the forest grows, it will be open to the public for leisure and educational use.

Planting is planned for this autumn and winter. The conifers to be planted will be Sitka Spruce, Douglas Fir and Larch. Broadleaves will include Oak, Ash, Sweet Chestnut, Wild Cherry, Holly, Rowan, Crab Apple, Birch, Whitebeam, Field Maple, Guelder Rose, Hazel, Blackthorn and Hawthorn.

Roadford Lake reservoir is off the A30, a few miles from the edge of Dartmoor.