Plant One Cornwall: Restoring Woodland with Whistlefish

Plant One Cornwall is a Community Interest Company bringing communities, businesses and landowners together to create and care for woodlands in Cornwall and across the UK. Its work goes beyond planting trees, focusing on the long-term establishment of resilient habitats that benefit wildlife and local communities.

Meet the Founders

Carl Rowlinson and Rai Lewis founded Plant One with a shared determination to restore woodland and create space for wildlife. Through Plant One, they help businesses, landowners and members of the public contribute to a lasting environmental legacy.

“Britain was once a wooded isle, with over 98% of the land covered in trees. But now only 2% of that ancient wild wood survives. Cultural amnesia means we have forgotten our woodland past, but we are a people of the woods. Our fates are linked; ensuring the survival of our woodlands and trees is imperative to our future.”

– Carl Rowlinson, Director and Co-Founder

The Whistlefish Partnership

Whistlefish became a certified partner of Plant One Cornwall and made woodland creation part of its Green Matters commitments. The partnership now supports the creation and regeneration of Celtic rainforest and other valuable woodland habitats in Cornwall.

Customers can choose to add a £1 Woodland Creation Contribution to an order. The current partnership page reports that donations from customers and Whistlefish have helped restore 33.1 acres of land. You can follow the latest progress on our Restoring the Celtic Rainforest page.

Plant One carefully assesses each site and works to establish woodlands that suit the surrounding landscape. Planting is only the beginning: young trees need ongoing monitoring and care if they are to develop into resilient habitats.

A Conversation with Carl Rowlinson

We spoke to Plant One co-founder Carl Rowlinson about the organisation’s early years, its approach to woodland creation and the care required to help young trees thrive. The milestones in these answers reflect the time of our original conversation.

How and When Did Plant One Begin?

Carl started Plant One in 2019. As a tree surgeon, he understood trees well and wanted to make a difference. He met Rai at a tree event, where her love of wildlife and dream of creating homes for hedgehogs made her a natural partner. They began by planting one field, and the work grew from there.

What Was an Important Early Milestone?

At the time of the conversation, Plant One was approaching ten thousand established trees across around 80 acres of woodland. The emphasis was deliberate: establishing a tree matters more than simply planting it.

How Does Plant One Care for Young Trees?

The team aims to support trees until they are around five years old and better able to sustain themselves. Sites are revisited regularly so weeds can be cleared, failed saplings replaced, and stakes and protective tubes checked.

How Are Trees Chosen for Each Site?

Plant One assesses the conditions and habitat at each site before deciding how best to establish woodland there. One focus is Atlantic oak woodland, also known as Celtic rainforest, where sessile oak and other native species grow alongside mosses, lichens and ferns in Cornwall’s mild, wet climate.

What About Carbon?

The work supports carbon capture, but Plant One’s focus is broader than offsetting. Its woodlands are created to restore biodiversity, provide habitat and reconnect communities with the natural landscape. Businesses are encouraged to reduce emissions at their source, alongside supporting woodland creation.

How to Support Woodland Creation

You can support the partnership through the current Woodland Creation Contribution. Plant One also welcomes volunteers, landowners and businesses interested in creating and caring for woodland.