GREEN-TECH AND DTMS STRENGTHEN NATURAL FLOOD MANAGEMENT THROUGH LARGE-SCALE WOODLAND CREATION

Client: Swinton Estate
Location: Burn Valley, Masham, North Yorkshire
Landscape Contractor: DTMS Group

 PROJECT OVERVIEW

Swinton Estate has played an active role in the White Rose Forest initiative, contributing land to support one of the UK's most ambitious woodland creation programmes. Rather than a single forest, the White Rose Forest is a growing network of trees, woodlands and forests across North and West Yorkshire, incorporating farming and rural landscapes, urban and residential spaces, transport corridors, rivers and lakes.

 A key focus of the project has been along the Burn Valley, where strategic tree planting is contributing to natural flood management and helping reduce flood risk by slowing rainwater runoff from upland areas, reducing the threat of flooding further down the river course.

THE CHALLENGE

To establish large-scale native woodland and hedgerow planting across designated areas of the estate while ensuring young trees were protected from grazing animals and environmental pressures during their critical establishment phase.

GREEN-TECH INVOLVEMENT

DTMS Group, a North Yorkshire-based contractor specialising in landscaping, vegetation management, fencing and environmental improvement projects, delivered the works over a three-year period, supplying and planting native trees, shrubs and hedgerows across multiple locations within the Burn Valley.

Alongside planting works, a comprehensive protection strategy was implemented to maximise establishment success and support long-term woodland development. This included the use of tree shelters, spiral guards and mesh protection systems designed to reduce browsing damage and improve survival rates across varied site conditions.

 GREEN-TECH PRODUCTS USED

The planting programme was supported by a range of products designed to protect young trees and shrubs from rabbit and animal browsing, reduce wind and frost damage, and encourage successful establishment by creating a stable microclimate around newly planted stock.

Green-tech supplied a combination of rigid and flexible protection solutions to suit different planting environments, from individual tree establishment to more exposed hedgerow and woodland edge conditions, including

• Tubex Tree Tubes (1.2m)

• Tubex Shrub Shelters (60cm)

• Rainbow Rabbit Spirals

• GT Thorn Tree Guards

The GT Thorn Tree Guard is a heavy-duty galvanised steel mesh protection system designed to safeguard from grazing livestock and larger browsing animals such as deer. Its rigid, corrosion-resistant construction provides long-term physical protection in exposed agricultural and woodland environments while allowing unrestricted airflow, light penetration and natural tree development.

 IMPACT AND OUTCOME

The DTMS Group has successfully planted 48,000 native trees across the Burn Valley, including 8,000 trees during the 2025–2026 planting season alone. Supported by an effective protection strategy, the project is helping to establish resilient woodland that will deliver long-term environmental benefits for the estate and the surrounding catchment.

The White Rose Forest Project has delivered significant environmental benefits, enhanced biodiversity and created valuable new habitats for wildlife, while strengthening ecological connectivity throughout the landscape. As the woodland matures, it will contribute to long-term carbon sequestration and play an important role in natural flood management. The project also supports wider environmental and community objectives, creating a more resilient landscape that will benefit both nature and people for generations to come.

Nick Rogers from DTMS Group explains, "Working with Green-tech on a project of this scale has been a key factor in the success of the project. The quality and consistency of their tree protection products have been excellent, and they have provided reliable solutions that perform well across a range of site conditions. The combination of shelters, spirals and guards has helped us effectively protect young trees and improve establishment rates across the site. It’s a partnership that gives real confidence when delivering large-scale planting projects.”