MWT plans to plant almost 10,000 trees

Cronk-y-Chule was purchased by the charity in April 2026 

Manx Wildlife Trust is planning to plant 9,700 trees and shrubs as part of the first phase of an ambitious nature recovery project near Laxey.

It intends to transform 11.5 hectares of farmland into a mixed landscape of temperate rainforest, scrub and open glades. 

Cronk-y-Chule was purchased by the charity in April 2026 with the aim of increasing biodiversity and eventually creating a woodland pasture grazed by hardy cattle.

The planting scheme would see around 7,700 trees and 2,000 shrubs introduced across the site, including native species such as birch, alder, hawthorn, oak, willow and hazel. 

Manx Wildlife Trust says the design has been developed to protect existing ecological features, including a species-rich grassland meadow and a wet flush habitat, while enhancing lower-quality pasture through new woodland creation.

The site's proximity to the ancient semi-natural woodland surrounding the Laxey Wheel could help woodland plants and animals colonise the new habitat relatively quickly.

Volunteers are expected to play a major role in the planting programme, which is scheduled to begin in October and continue through to March 2027.

The charity’s long-term vision is for the site to become a temperate rainforest landscape with open areas maintained for wildlife and livestock grazing, with cattle expected to return once the trees are sufficiently established.

You can find the full application here.