The 20-strong group of trainee engineers and staff travelled from Siemens Energy's North Tyneside base to The Haining nature reserve near Elsdon, where they took part in a Wildlife Work Day helping to remove hundreds of redundant tree guards and stakes.

When Northumberland Wildlife Trust was gifted the reserve in 2022, it inherited thousands of saplings protected by plastic tree guard tubes. Over time, many of the young trees had outgrown their guards, creating a significant backlog of maintenance work.

A tree guard is a vital aid in a sapling's early years, but it can become a hindrance if forgotten. Once a tree is established, typically at around three metres tall, removing the guard helps prevent restricted growth, trapped moisture, and bark damage, all of which can weaken the tree and increase the risk of disease and affected long-term health.

Thanks to the volunteers' efforts, the young woodland is now better placed to thrive for generations to come, mirroring the promising careers of the apprentices who helped secure its future.

Around 40 hectares (100 acres) of woodland have been planted across The Haining over the years, alongside two smaller, older plantations of Scots pine. The developing woodland provides valuable habitat for a variety of bird species, with buzzards regularly seen soaring overhead.

Situated near Elsdon and close to Benshaw Moor, The Haining is already a rich haven for wildlife. Its hay meadows support colourful wildflowers including yellow rattle and common spotted orchids, while woodland edges and glades provide habitat for butterflies and dragonflies such as small skipper and common hawker.

The reserve's ponds are home to an impressive population of toads, and otters are frequently recorded along the Elsdon Burn, which forms the site's northern boundary. Barn owls and bats can often be seen hunting over the grassland at dawn and dusk.

Joe Crutwell, Northumberland Wildlife Trust Volunteering Support Officer says:
"We are incredibly grateful to the Siemens Energy team for giving up their time to help at The Haining. Removing old tree guards is an important but labour-intensive job, and their hard work will help ensure these young trees can continue to grow into a healthy woodland that benefits wildlife for decades to come. Corporate volunteering days like this make a real difference and help us care for special places such as The Haining."