Queen guitarist Dr Brian May and founder of Save Me will plant the first tree and mark the start of a new Save Me project to establish a new native woodland on a 157-acre site in Bere Regis during a community planting day.

In total, more than 100,000 trees and shrubs will be planted over the next 12 months in what is one of the largest new woodland planting schemes in the south of England this year.

Dr May’s Save Me woodland planting scheme aims to create a significant wildlife haven and enhanced ecological habitat on a site to the southern side of the village of Bere Regis which was previously agricultural land.

The proposals include open, responsible pedestrian access and involve the gradual transformation of intensive agricultural land to a woodland and wildlife reserve The woodland originally named ‘Save Me Woods’ has become known by local residents as ‘May’s Wood’ and the name has stuck.

They have been consulted about the plans and many attended a consultation day in February when they heard from Dr May and other stakeholders involved. Locals are being encouraged to join Dr May and his team throughout the afternoon of 28th September and help plant some of the first trees.

Around 600 trees will be planted at the event, predominantly oak and supplied as small cells (20cm tall trees with their roots protected in a peat plug) which are easy to handle and plant for children and adults alike. People will be shown how to place the protective shelters over each tree to complete the process of tree planting. Dr May says he wants to create an environment where people and animals can exist together.

He explains: “I come from a place of playing guitar and music, but I’ve always had a concern about animals which led to the founding of my charity, Save Me. Our basic philosophy is that this land used to be forest hundreds of years ago and now I want to re-claim it on behalf of our wildlife. Eventually it will form a wildlife corridor and link on with the wildlife meadow.

“We have a wonderful possibility to make an environment which our children and grandchildren will grow up and enjoy in harmony with the animals around them.”

Eight fields are being planted as part of the May’s Wood conversion from agricultural land into new woodland habitat. Planted and managed by contractor UPM Tilhill, the range of trees will include Oak, beech, chestnut, limes, wild cherry, spruce, Douglas fir, walnut and woody shrubs. The majority of the tree planting will take place after 1 January once the farming cycle has fully stopped.

UPM Tilhill’s District Manager Julian Ohlsen added: “We are very pleased to be working once again with Dr May on a project such as this. We have huge amounts of experience in creating and restoring woodland, as well as wildlife habitats all over the UK, and this is one of the largest in the South for several years.”