Croft 4 Fanmore is a small but highly impactful woodland creation project set within the wild coastal landscapes on the Isle of Mull, overlooking the Sea of the Hebrides. The site lies on steep, rocky, upland ground with little agricultural value, but with exceptional potential for native woodland restoration. By establishing a diverse mix of species - including downy birch, hazel, oak, aspen, alder, holly, rowan and willow - the project will bring woodland cover back to an area where only two mature ash trees existed when the crofter first arrived. This new planting builds on a previous woodland planted a few years ago elsewhere on the croft, continuing a developing mosaic of habitats that will enrich the local area.

The woodland forms an important part of the croft’s long term stewardship plan. Deer fencing has already been installed across the landholding - an essential but costly investment that enables successful tree establishment. Once established, the woodland will provide valuable shelter for livestock, enhance landscape structure, and in time offer opportunities for coppicing and woodfuel, supporting the croft’s diversification. A small watercourse borders part of the planting area, adding riparian value and further boosting habitat variety across the site.

The project forms part of Forest Carbon’s Nature+ funding model, designed to support smaller-scale woodlands that can’t afford or justify the cost of Woodland Carbon Code certification. This approach allows businesses and individuals to directly fund impactful woodland projects like Croft 4 Fanmore, creating a meaningful connection with the land and the people who steward it.