A Hampshire country house is in the middle of a massive tree-planting programme to rewild and diversify its extensive estate.

Hinton Ampner, a National Trust property near Alresford, is currently undertaking its Reimagining a Hampshire Estate project.

The project's webpage says the main aims are: nature recovery and conservation; regenerative farming; better access to nature; involving people; and responding to climate change.

Winchester Rotary with National Trust staff (Image: Charles Elliman) Much of the work has been done with the aid of volunteers.

President-elect of Winchester Rotary, Mark Anthony Butcher, 61, said: "I personally love digging here. We've done a number of tree-planting activities with Rotary."

Mark, also deputy leader of the Winchester Rotary's environment team, was keen to undertake an environmental project organised by "professionals who know what they're doing".

He said: "I wanted to make sure we're doing the right thing in the right place. The really big thing, for me, is the legacy we're creating for future generations."

Lee Hulin, 47, a countryside manager for the National Trust, said the project had been three years in the making.

He said: "This tree-planting scheme and woodland creation really opened up the opportunity to connect with people and communities. It gives the chance for everyone to give back to nature."

Lee has been at the Trust for nearly 12 years and at Hinton Ampner for two. He said: "We're creating 60 hectares of new woodland, around 150 acres - or thereabouts.

"We've got 60,000 trees to plant and there's a good deal of planning in that." 

This winter 25,000 tree saplings are being planted, which will be followed by the same again next year with 60,000 planted in total.

Casper Rocher, 18, a ranger with the Trust, said the field Winchester Rotary were planting in had more than 2,000 trees marked for it.

They said: "I think it's very exciting! I feel very grateful to have joined right at the beginning of the project."

Anna Stewart, 73, a Winchester-based botanist, believed the project was "great" and was impressed with the varieties of trees being used, such as Oak -which she said would work well with clay soil.

Anna said: "I'm very pleased this development has taken place. It will encourage the spread of the ancient woodland plants, which include bluebells, wood anemones and herb-paris."

To get involved with the project and other environmental initiatives through Winchester Rotary, email environment@winchester-rotary.org.