Our award-winning Woodland Saver Accounts (previously named 'Green Saver') support the creation of new woodlands in the United Kingdom and help you achieve a competitive return on your savings. For every Fixed Term Deposit or Fixed Term Cash ISA account you open or renew, we will plant a tree in a certified UK woodland project on your behalf, at no cost to you.
The planting of trees to create new woodlands is an important part of the effort to combat climate change and environmental degradation. Trees planted through the Woodland Saver tree planting scheme permanently “lock up” or sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) in their wood and the soil of the woodland where they grow.
Tree planting through our Woodland Saver Accounts is certified by the UK Government’s Woodland Carbon Code, which offers you the assurance that planting will deliver the carbon saving claimed, and that the trees represent genuine new planting. Compliance with the Code also means that we know the right type of trees have been planted in the right place, and that the woodlands are sustainably managed and are protected in the long-term.
Planting trees to grow UK woodlands offers a host of other benefits to the environment and the community, including:
Your Woodland Saver Account tree will be planted in one of four specific UK woodland projects through our tree planting partner, Forest Carbon:
Jon's Wood, Crook, County Durham
Species planted: Alder, Birch and Oak
The vision for Jon’s Wood is to create a new native woodland that supports the local environment and improves woodland habitat connectivity in the surrounding land. In addition to these ecological benefits, the woodland will also sequester carbon dioxide as well as binding the soil beneath its canopy, protecting against erosion during heavy rain events which are predicted to become more frequent as the climate warms.
Lowther Whale, Penrith, Cumbria
Species planted: Alder, Aspen, Beech, Birch, Cherry, Hawthorn, Hazel, Holly, Maple, Oak, Rowan, Scots Pine, Sycamore and Willow
The vision for Lowther Whale is the creation of a high biodiversity value woodland pasture mosaic. Originally grazing land, the fields will form a mixture of small woodland copses interspersed with flower rich meadows. The variety of the landscape will ensure habitat for a wide variety of wildlife including farmland, grassland and woodland species. Situated within the Lake District National Park, this project will also enhance the landscape for locals and the many tourists who visit each year.
Wester Coshieville, Aberfeldy, Perthshire
Species planted: Aspen, Downy Birch, Hawthorn, Hazel, Holly, Oak, Rowan and Silver Birch
The vision at Wester Coshieville is to restore and enhance an area of native woodland through the creation of a new upland oak wood. Other species will be planted both within and without the oak wood to enhance existing stands of native trees. In addition to sequestering carbon, this project will increase the overall connectivity of woodland habitats within Highland Perthshire and be a fantastic resource for locals and tourists to enjoy.
Talla & Gameshope (Phase 2), Moffat, Borders
Species planted: Alder, Aspen, Birch, Hawthorn, Hazel, Holly, Juniper, Oak, Rowan and Willow
A native broadleaf re-wilding and habitat project, in partnership with the Borders Forest Trust. This project is special because of the scale of its ambition: to restore a large area of hills and upland valleys to their natural state, providing habitats extensive enough to be sustainable. At its southern end the property borders both the Carrifan Wildwood and the National Trust for Scotland’s extensive Grey Mares Tail estate - together these areas will soon form a vast network of restored habitats, unlike anything else that exists in the south of Scotland.
Our tree planting partner
We are working with Forest Carbon to grow UK woodlands with our Woodland Saver Account holders. Forest Carbon leads the way in developing woodland creation and peatland restoration projects for carbon capture and ecosystem services. Through the planting of over 9.5 million new trees in 200+ new woodlands in the UK since 2006, Forest Carbon and partner projects are removing over 2.1 million tonnes of CO2 from the global atmosphere. The quality of Forest Carbon’s schemes is assured by the UK Government’s Woodland Carbon Code.
Your tree will be planted in one of these four UK woodland projects
Habitat for Red Squirrels
With their distinctive russet fur, the native red squirrel is a captivating sight. The introduction of the grey squirrel caused the numbers of native red squirrels to plummet. One of the project sites for our Woodland Saver tree planting scheme is Lowther Whale. Nestled in the Lake District this land is at the heart of Cumbria’s red squirrel stronghold. Thanks to this project’s use of sensitive forest management practices, red squirrels are thriving here. As the new woodland matures, the red squirrel’s habitat will flourish.
What is the Woodland Carbon Code?
The Woodland Carbon Code delivers externally verified projects, certified by UKAS accredited bodies to ISO standards, that offer tangible social and environmental benefits; it is the only standard of its kind in the UK. The Code offers our customers the assurance that Woodland Saver tree planting projects will deliver the benefits claimed, and that the woodland represents genuine new planting.
Each project developed under the Code is registered with the independent Markit Registry, a leading provider of global carbon and environmental credit registry services. Projects are certified to ISO standards by a UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) accredited third party and an ongoing monitoring programme for the woodlands is agreed between the parties.
You can read more detailed information about our Woodland Saver Tree Planting Scheme here.
We are delighted to have been named as the 'Best Ethical Savings Provider' at the 2022 Moneynet.co.uk personal finance awards for the third year in a row! Find out more about our ethical, Shariah-compliant savings accounts.
