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Hawkshaw
Hawkshaw is a thriving native broadleaf woodland nestled in the heart of the Scottish Borders, beside the scenic River Tweed. Managed with a non-intervention approach, this project will not only boost biodiversity and create vital habitats but also help manage rainwater, reducing the risk of flooding and supporting the local community.
At Hawkshaw, the vision is to transform rough grazing land into thriving native woodland, designed thoughtfully to integrate trees with the surrounding peatlands, including an area of blanket bog. This new broadleaf woodland, planted on former pasture land, will be managed through a non-intervention approach, allowing natural processes to shape its growth. The project brings a wealth of benefits, from enhancing biodiversity and improving air quality to intercepting rainwater, fostering habitat connectivity, and providing valuable amenity access for local communities.
Special care has been taken in the project’s design to protect historic features like scheduled monuments and unscheduled cairns. An open ground area has been included to buffer the blanket bog, while species-rich areas were left unplanted to maintain local biodiversity. The thoughtful planting of birch around the blanket bog will create a small but significant patch of low-density bog woodland—an increasingly rare habitat in the UK.
The mix of habitats created will not only provide a sanctuary for wildlife but also offer a space for local people to enjoy nature. Moreover, Hawkshaw will contribute to the restoration of native woodland in southern Scotland, helping to generate future seed sources for expansion in this often overlooked landscape.
In terms of GHG impact, Hawkshaw will sequester 11,491 tonnes of CO₂ over 100 years, according to Woodland Carbon Code-validated calculations.
Certified under the Woodland Carbon Code, the UK’s government-backed standard for carbon-funded woodland creation.
Species mix
0%
Birch
0%
Alder
0%
Oak
0%
*Other
*Predominantly native broadleaves
Project status
Registered
Aiming for verification, but planting and verification are yet to occur.
Validated
Planted. An initial quality check has been carried out by a third party.
Verified
Meets Code standards, verified by an accredited assessor. Ongoing checks ahead.
Co-benefits
Water quality
The trees will help intercept runoff from surrounding land uses, preventing harmful substances such as fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides, animal waste, and silt from reaching the river system.
Flood mitigation
Tree planting stabilises riverbanks, reduces silt and runoff, and slows peak flows, protecting water quality and lowering flood risk in Hawkshaw and nearby areas.
Habitat conservation
The woodland will support river species like Atlantic Salmon, Otters, and various Lampreys, Beetles, and Flies through shade, shelter, and food.
Habitat diversification
This woodland adds diversity to a landscape otherwise dominated by open grazing and commercial forestry.
Biodiversity uplift
Although Black Grouse haven’t been recorded at Hawkshaw recently, planting hawthorn, rowan, birch, alder, and willow could benefit the species and encourage their return to the area.
Our long-standing partnership with Forest Carbon has made it easy for Borders Forest Trust to access the carbon market and use that income to help restore significant areas of native woodland and peatland. With Forest Carbon managing carbon sales, we can focus on our core mission: restoring natural habitats across southern Scotland.
Want to support a project like Hawkshaw?
Hawkshaw was made possible through funding through the sale of carbon credits (PIUs). If your business is looking to make a similar impact, explore the projects it can support today.
