Some of the schemes are relatively modest, such as orchards planted with traditional varieties of fruit and nut trees, while others are larger, with thousands of trees linking existing woodlands to create naturally rich forests.

This winter, a project funded by the National Trust and the UK government has partnered to plant nearly half a million trees, creating woodlands, timber pastures, hedgerows and orchards.

One of the most high-profile schemes is Buckland Abbey near Plymouth, Devon, where more than 30,000 trees have been planted.

The expansion of woodland on the estate dates back more than 700 years and was designed to promote biodiversity and create more space for wildlife. Caladium butterflies, oil beetles, harvest rats and the barn owls that prey on them will benefit from a range of woody habitats and hedgerows.

Buckland is planting broadleaf trees such as sessile oak, elm, blackthorn, birch, rowan and wild cherry. They are being planted near ancient woodlands on the estate in the hope that, as well as benefiting insects, mammals and birds, they will also improve growing conditions for rare lichens, mosses and mosses.

Around 400 traditional fruit trees, hazel and coconut trees, will also be planted to recreate the medieval orchards once tended by the monastery's Cistercian monks.

At Killerton, near Exeter, another site in Devon, nearly 70,000 trees, including oak, hornbeam, alder and spindle, are being planted and timber pastures - scattered trees and shrubs - are being developed The bush outcrops are beneficial to the highland cattle raised by local farmers and 13 species of bats live there.

In Sugarborough, Staffordshire, a more modest scheme involves the planting of 42 trees as part of a project to redevelop and extend the walled garden of a Georgian mansion. Prunes, prunes, pears, quinces and wolfberries are being planted, using local varieties wherever possible.

Around 416,000 trees will be planted at 20 sites across England by the trust and the Community Forestry Climate Trees England programme, which is supported by the UK Government's Natural Climate Fund, by the end of March. They will create 519 hectares of woody habitat.

The largest single scheme in terms of number of trees is in Lunt, Sefton, Merseyside, where 78 hectares of almost 93,000 trees are being planted.

The National Trust recently purchased the land from Sefton Council. Lunt's name is derived from an old Norse term meaning "wood" or "grove", most likely referring to an ancient forest in the area.

The existing woodland will be linked with trees and form part of the Mersey Forest, a growing network of woodlands and green spaces across Cheshire and Merseyside.

John Deakin, head of trees and woodland at the trust, said: “We have identified many natural synergies with community forests in woodland and tree planting, delivering the best value for people, nature and climate.

"Trees are our most powerful tool to lock in carbon and mitigate climate change. By working together, we can plant more trees, restore more space for nature, and store carbon on a larger scale."

British Nature Secretary Mary Creagh said: “This Government is committed to protecting and restoring nature, and trees are at the forefront of our plans to reduce emissions. Together with the National Trust and Community Forest Partners England, we are creating new woodlands that will bring communities and woodlands closer together for generations to come. Connected."