Last updated 16:06, Wednesday, 08 October 2008

NOW you can make a home for wildlife by sponsoring a tree at Eskdale.

EXTENSION WANTED: Christcliff Wood, an ancient upland oak wood at the southern most tip of the Scafell range, an attractive and familiar sight from the valley road

Christcliff Wood, in Eskdale, needs an extension because birds, bugs, fungi, flowers and hundreds of insects are spilling out of their ancient oak woodland home. The Cumbria Wildlife Trust doesn't want the wildlife to move on and plans to extend the wood by 1.5 hectares in order to make more room.

But they need help to buy oak trees, guards and stakes.

The Cumbria Wildlife Trust has set an ambitious target to have 1,000 trees sponsored by Christmas, so that they can be planted over the coming winter, ready for the spring.

So far 300 trees have been sponsored.

Planting the 1.5 hectare area will not only provide homes for wildlife but will also help the environment by sequestering 36 tonnes of carbon over 10 years.

Christcliff Wood is an ancient upland oak wood situated at the southern most tip of the Scafell massif.

The wood is an attractive and familiar sight from the valley road and due to its location and character, it forms and important component of the classic Lake District scenery.

It has been undisturbed for many years.

There is a predominance of oak and a ground flora in which wood sorrel, wood sage, climbing corydalis and enchanter's nightsmare are characteristic, with flourishing colonies of primroses, violets, golden saxifrage and English stonecrop. Beneath the woodland canopy is a prolific cover of mosses, liversworts and fungi.

Ancient woodlands are home to a greater diversity of wildlife than any other habitat in the UK, including some of our best-loved plants and animals.

The extended woodland at will provide a rich habitat for a variety of small mammals, birds, fungi, flowers and insects.

Izzy Thorne, Cumbria Wildlife Trust's senior education and volunteer officer, said: 'The first trees sponsored will be planted in December and anyone who has sponsored trees will be invited to come along and help. We hope to encourage local people, community groups and schools to help us too.

“ It will be great for people to be involved in creating a special place like this and be able to watch the woodland grow and change.”

Izzy added: “So you can help your local wildlife and sponsor a tree now; it will make a great gift for a birthday, christening anniversary and Christmas - or just treat yourself.

“Trees are £10 for one, £25 for three and £45 for six and you will receive a certificate and a gift card.

To do it and to learn more about the Trust’s work, go online to www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk