Rhydwen

Cardigan, Wales

Rhydwen is a smallholding set in deepest Ceredigion, West Wales, approximately 10 km from the coast. It is surrounded by small areas of ancient woodland, and is right next to a National Nature Reserve famous for its rare Marsh Fritillary butterflies.

The area is already rich in biodiversity, but Rhydwen's environmentally conscious landowners wanted to improve their own plot for wildlife as much as possible. A high diversity of tree species were planted to benefit as wide a variety of wildlife as possible. The owners interest in ethical and sustainable living were also acted on by including a selection of fruit and nut tree species to provide food for humans and wildlife.

In partnership with

Help fund our work

Fund the work still needed to complete this critical work.

Updates

August 2026

Survival Survey
95% survival rate

This site has been incredibly successful with a 95% success rate. Wherever we looked we could see trees flourishing, well out of their guards, with only an occasional dead tree. Silver birch are particularly fast growing trees and have done extremely well here. Despite the bramble encroachment on part of the site the trees were still thriving, although growth has been slower in many cases and the saplings are only just beginning to grow out of the top of their guards.

The site would benefit from some maintenance, especially the removal of grass from inside the guards of the smaller trees.

The landowners are thrilled with the success of this project, and are very keen to plant more trees in the near future.

July 2025

Survival Survey
95% survival rate

We originally planted a mix of native broad-leaved trees over three fields and also a hedgerow. Our surveyor noticed that there was a slight bramble encroachment in two fields; however, 95% of trees are in great health. A few were showing signs of powdery mildew so we will need to keep an eye on that, but it has been a particularly wet year. The hedgerow was more disappointing with a few gaps and only a 70% survival rate. Hopefully, there will be some natural regeneration here, but we will monitor it to make sure, and restock if necessary.

February 2023

Tree Planting
1,200 trees planted

We planned a woodland and small hedgerow on this site but had to have several attempts to plant here. We had to postpone originally because the ground was frozen solid so impossible to plant trees, the only one we postponed all season. Then it snowed. Our ecologist planted trees on his own on several occasions, then finally completed this project with a handful of local volunteers in mid-February.

Altogether we planted 1,000 trees and 250 shrubs, predominately oak to help maintain the woodland characteristic of Mid/West-Wales, but with a high diversity of other tree species to maximise biodiversity. There are many beech trees thriving in the local area, which we also bolstered by planting more. Surrounding the woodland we put a shrub layer to provide good woodland-edge habitat, and planted with species that provide good sources of nectar, pollen and berries for wildlife.

Site Location

Help Protect Earth - Take Action Now

Volunteer

Help us create and maintain new woodlands, hedgerows and wildflower meadows! We need volunteers to sow seeds, plant saplings, clear invasive plant species and pick up litter. No qualifications necessary; jobs for all ages and abilities. Come and turn climate anxiety into climate action!

Upcoming Events

Fund Our Work

With government funding for reforestation and rewilding tenuous, we increasingly rely on our amazing community to keep us growing regardless of political shifts. Help Protect Earth continue to restore ecosystems and improve biodiversity across the country.

Sponsor Trees Donate

Support the Land Fund

Help us put down roots! Your donations to our Land Fund let us seize the moment when the perfect piece of land comes up for sale. Every penny helps us secure community woodlands, healthier ecosystems, and a greener future for generations to come.

Land Fund