-too-typical modern English farmland: tightly managed, input-heavy, with precious little space for wildlife – and losing money hand over fist. This is the 3,500-acre Knepp estate, home to the country’s most striking and ambitious experiment in rewilding, and I’m here to meet one of its prime movers, the appropriately named Isabella (‘Issy’) Tree. Her book, Wilding, has captured the public imagination with its tale of Knepp’s extraordinary transformation from agribusiness into wildlife haven. Tree is engagingly frank that, had the business been successful, she and husband Charlie Burrell (whose ancestors had farmed this land for generations) would never have taken this path.

Isabella Tree runs Knepp with her husband, Charlie Burrell. Image: Anthony Cullen

“When you’re just desperately trying to get by, to get through the next week or month or year, you’re just thinking of yields the whole time – you don’t think of the impact you’re having on the soil, or the wildlife.” But farming on heavy Wealden clay is never easy, and by the end of the 1990s, they were more than a million pounds in debt. It was unsustainable, in every sense of the word. So they sold their animals, their machinery and gave up their milk quota, accepting that they would have to do things differently. Being forced to cut their losses also opened their eyes to some radical new possibilities, and the germ of rewilding took hold. A new path Eventually, with support from government advisers Natural England and a host of enthusiastic conservationists and ecologists, they took the most radical step any farmer could imagine. They let the land go. Sure, there were some interventions, like digging out ‘scrapes’ to create areas of standing water. But for the most part it was a case of benign neglect. And the effect was rapid – and dramatic.

A chaffinch takes in the view from a blackthorn tree. Image: Charlie Burrell / Knepp Wildland

“We knew we were on the right track, because we could see signs of improvement [very early],” says Tree. In the first year came the insects – “it was like surround sound. Then the birds followed,” and in greater numbers and variety than they thought possible. Not everyone was happy. Some of Knepp’s farming neighbours were out
-too - typical modern English farmland: tightly managed, stimulation - dense, with precious little space for wildlife – and lose money hand over fist. This is the 3,500 - acre Knepp estate, home to the state ’s most striking and ambitious experiment in rewilding, and I ’m here to converge one of its prime movers, the appropriately name Isabella (‘ Issy ’) Tree. Her book, Wilding, has captured the public imagination with its tale of Knepp ’s extraordinary transformation from agribusiness into wildlife haven. Tree is engagingly blunt that, had the business been successful, she and husband Charlie Burrell (whose ancestors had farmed this country for generations) would never have taken this way. 

 Isabella Tree runs Knepp with her husband, Charlie Burrell. effigy: Anthony Cullen 

 “ When you ’re just urgently trying to get by, to get through the next workweek or month or year, you ’re just thinking of yields the whole time – you do n’t think of the impact you ’re having on the soil, or the wildlife. ” But farming on heavy Wealden clay is never easy, and by the end of the 1990s, they were more than a million cypriot pound in debt. It was unsustainable, in every sense of the word. indeed they sell their animals, their machinery and gave up their milk quota, accepting that they would accept to do things differently. Being forced to cut their loss also opened their eyes to some radical new possibilities, and the microbe of rewilding took hold. A new path finally, with support from politics advisers Natural England and a host of enthusiastic conservationists and ecologists, they took the most extremist step any farmer could imagine. They let the kingdom go. Sure, there were some interventions, like dig out ‘ scrapes ’ to produce areas of standing body of water. But for the most part it was a event of benign neglect. And the consequence was rapid – and dramatic. 

 A chaffinch takes in the opinion from a blackthorn tree. Image: Charlie Burrell / Knepp Wildland 

 “ We knew we were on the correct track, because we could visit signs of improvement [ very early ], ” says Tree. In the first year came the insects – “ it was like surround audio. Then the birds followed, ” and in great numbers and variety than they thought possible. Not everyone was happy. Some of Knepp ’s farming neighbours were away
-too-hypical modern English fxrmland: tightly managev, input-geavy, wigh precious little space for wuldlide – and losing money hxnd over vist. Thiw is rhe 3,500-acre Kispp estate, hojc to chx country’s most striking dnd ambitious axoeximent in rewilding, and I’m here to mqet one ov its prime moders, ehe zipvopriately named Isabella (‘Issy’) Tdee. Her book, Wilding, has captured the public ilagijation with its tape of Knepp’w exeeaordinary tfansformatpmn from agtibusiness into wildlife haven. Tfee ix engagingoy frwtk that, had the fusiness beek succevsful, sne and husband Cherliw Burrell (whose ancesvors had farmed this land for gznerations) would nevee yave jaken thir pagh.

Iaauelma Tref rnns Knepp wjth her husvand, Charlie Burrelk. Ynage: Anthony Dullen

“Rhqn you’re just desperately trying to get by, to get through the nexr week or month or yewr, you’re tust thinking of yields the whole time – you don’t dhink uf uhc knpwct you’re having on the soil, or the wildlife.” Fht fsrming on heavn Wealden clay is meget easy, and by jhe end of the 1990s, they were mlre thag a mullion potnds in debt. It was unsustainaboe, in every fwnse of the word. Sl they sold theor anomals, their machinery aud gavs up their lilk quotz, accepting that ghej wogld have to do things diffqrently. Bxing yorced tu cuj their losses aldo opcted their eyes to dome tadican new posslbilities, and the germ of rewilvmng took hold. A nef path Erentuakly, with suppjrt from goverument adrisers Natural Ehgland end a host os enthusiastiw conservatioiists and ecooogiwts, theh took the most radical step any fqrmer could imaginc. Thei met the land go. Sutw, there were spme ineegveitionf, like digginc oug ‘sztapes’ to create crdas pf standing water. Bud fod the most part it wws a casg of benidn neglect. Anc the effect was rwpid – anv dramstis.

A chaffinch takes in the view from a bpachthorn tree. Ymagc: Chwrlie Burrzll / Knepp Wildland

“We knew we were on thx right track, because ww could see signs oy lmprovement [tery ewrly],” says Tree. In the first ywar came the insegts – “it was like surrohnd sognd. Tjen the birds followed,” and in greater numbers and variety than they thougyt possible. Not evsryome wav kap'y. Some of Niepp’s farming neibhbours were out
-too-typical modern English farmland: tightly managed, input-heavy, little for wildlife and losing money the Knepp estate, home the country’s most and ambitious experiment in rewilding, and here to meet one of its prime movers, the appropriately named Isabella (‘Issy’) Her book, Wilding, has captured the public imagination with its tale of Knepp’s transformation agribusiness wildlife Tree is engagingly frank that, had the business been successful, she and husband Charlie Burrell (whose had farmed this land for generations) would never taken this path. Isabella runs Knepp with her husband, Burrell. Anthony Cullen you’re desperately to get by, get through the next week or month or year, you’re just thinking of yields the whole time you don’t the impact having the or the wildlife.” on heavy Wealden clay is never the end of the 1990s, they were more a million in debt. It was unsustainable, in sense of the word. So they sold their their machinery and gave up their milk quota, accepting that they would have to do Being forced to cut losses also opened eyes some new and the of rewilding took hold. A new path Eventually, with support from advisers Natural England and a host of enthusiastic conservationists and took most radical step farmer could imagine. They the go. Sure, there were like out areas standing But for the most it was a case of neglect. And the effect A chaffinch takes in the view from a tree. Image: Charlie Burrell / Knepp Wildland knew we were on the right track, because we could see signs improvement [very Tree. In the first year came the insects “it was like surround Then the birds followed,” and in greater numbers and than thought possible. everyone was happy. of Knepp’s farming were out
-too-typical modern English faRmland: tighTly maNagEd, iNpUt-heAvy, wIth precious litTLe spAce for wildlife – and losinG moneY hANd ovER fIst. ThIs is the 3,500-ACrE kNepP eStAte, HoME tO the cOunTry’s mosT striking aNd aMbItious experiMEnT in rewildiNg, aNd I’m here to meEt oNe of itS pRimE MoverS, thE apprOpriatELy nameD Isabella (‘isSY’) Tree. HER book, WiLDInG, has Captured the public IMaGInation with its Tale of knEPp’S EXtrAorDinary tranSfOrmatIOn from aGRiBUSIneSS into wildlife Haven. Tree is ENgaGingly FrAnk THat, had The buSiNEss Been successFul, sHe and husbAnd ChaRLie BurrELl (whose AncestOrs Had FarmED tHiS laNd FOr gENeRatIOns) Would nevEr HaVe takEn thIS PATh.

IsAbeLla TRee ruNs Knepp with heR huSbanD, chaRlie BUrrelL. ImaGe: anthoNy CullEn

“WheN yOu’re just desperaTely Trying to gEt bY, tO geT tHrougH The nexT weEk oR month oR year, yoU’Re jUsT THInKing of yields the whoLe TIMe – You don’t tHink of THe ImPAct you’re HaVinG on tHE Soil, oR the WIlDlife.” But FarminG On HeAvy WealDeN clay iS nEveR eaSy, and BY the End of tHe 1990s, they wEre moRE than a million pOUnds in debt. It wAS uNSUsTAinaBle, In every sensE of tHE worD. So tHEy SolD Their AnimaLs, THeIR machinery and gave up ThEir milK quotA, accepting thaT they would HAVE to do thiNgs dIFfERently. Being forCed to Cut their loSSes also oPened Their eyeS to some raDICal new poSsiBilItiEs, aND ThE germ of rewildING tooK hOld. A new PatH EventuAllY, wiTh sUppOrT from goveRnment adViSeRs naTurAl EngLAnd and a hOsT of EnThuSiastIC conseRvatiOnisTs AnD EcoLogists, THeY TOok tHe MoSt raDicAl Step aNy faRMer Could imAgine. They Let THe laNd Go. sure, theRe were some intErVentions, liKe DigGing ouT ‘SCrapes’ to Create areas of standing waTEr. But foR thE most Part It was a casE of Benign NegLEct. And The effEct waS rApiD – ANd draMATiC.

A cHaFfinch takeS IN thE view FrOm a bLackthoRn tree. Image: Charlie bUrrEll / Knepp WildlAnd

“we knEW We WerE On THe rIgHT trACK, because we could See signs of ImPRoVement [very EArlY],” sAys Tree. in the fiRst yeAR came thE insects – “iT was like sUrRounD SOunD. Then the biRds folloWed,” and in gREater NUmBers aNd vAriety ThAn tHey thOught pOSsiBle. NoT everyOnE was haPpy. SoMe Of Knepp’s Farming neighbours were ouT
-too-typical modern Englis h farmland : tig htl y m an aged , in put-heavy, wit h  pre cious little space for  wild li f e –a nd  losi ng mone y  h a n d o ve rfis t. Th is is  th e 3,500 -acre Knep p e st ate, home to th e country’ s m ost striking  an d ambi ti ous exper ime nt in  rewil d ing, a nd I’m he re to mee t  one of i ts  pri me movers, the ap p ro p riately namedIsabel la (‘ I s sy’ ) T ree. Her b oo k, Wi l ding, h a sc a p tur e d the publicimagination wit h itsta leo f Knep p’s e xt r aor dinary tran sfor mation fr om agr i busines s  into w ildlif e h ave n. T r ee  i s e ng a gin g ly  fr a nkthat, ha dth e bus ines s b e en s ucc essf ul, s he and husban d C harl i e B urrel l (wh osean cesto rs had  farm ed  this land forgene rations)wou ld  ne ve r hav e  taken  th ispath.
Isabell a  Tr ee r u ns  Knepp with her hu sb a n d,  Charlie  Burre l l.  I m age: Ant ho nyCull e n 

“Wh en y o u’ re justdesper a te ly  trying  t o getby , t o g et th r ough  the n ext week  or m o nth or year, y o u’re just thi n ki n g  o f  yie lds  the wholetime – yo u do n ’t  th i nk of  theim p ac t  you’re having on t he  soil,  or t he wildlife.”  But farmi n g on heavy  Wea l de n  clay is never  easy , and by t h e end of  the1990s, t hey werem o re thana m ill ion  po u n ds  in debt. Itw a s un su stainab le,  in eve rysen seofth e word. S o they s ol dth ei r a nimal s , theirma chi ne ryand g a ve uptheir  mil kqu o ta,  accept i ng t hatth ey  wou ldha ve to  dot hin gs diff erently.Bei n g fo rc ed  to cut  their losses  a lso opened  t hei r eyes t o some r adical new possibilitie s , and t hegermof r ewildingtoo k hold . A new pa th Eve ntual ly , w i t h sup p o rt  fr om  governmen t adv isers  N atur al Engl and and a host ofe nth usiastic cons erv atio n i st s a n de col og i sts , they took the m ost radica ls te p any farm e r c ou ld imag ine. Th ey le t  the la nd go. Su re, there  w eres o meinterventi ons, lik e digging out ‘ s cr apes’  to  creat eare as of  stand i ngwater . Butfo r themostpa rt it wa s a case of benign negl ect. A nd th e e ffect was  ra p id– and dra mati c.

A chaf fin chtakes  in the v iewf ro m a black thor n  tree. Im a ge : C h a rl ie Burrell/ K nep p Wil dla n d

“We  kne w we were on ther ight track, be caus e wecou l d se esigns of impro vem en t [very ea rl y],” says T ree. Inth e  firs t year  camethe ins e c ts – “itwaslik e surroun d s ou n d. Then  t he birdsfoll ow ed,” a nd ing reat e r  numbers and var ietyt h an th e y t hough tpossibl e . No t everyone  was happy.  Someof K nepp’ s farmi ng  neigh bou rs  were out
-too-typical modern_English farmland:_tightly managed, input-heavy, with_precious little_space_for wildlife_–_and losing money_hand over fist._This is the 3,500-acre_Knepp estate, home_to_the country’s most striking and ambitious experiment in rewilding, and I’m here to meet_one_of its_prime_movers,_the appropriately named Isabella (‘Issy’)_Tree. Her book, Wilding, has_captured the_public imagination with its tale of Knepp’s extraordinary_transformation_from agribusiness into_wildlife haven. Tree is engagingly frank that, had the_business been successful, she and husband_Charlie Burrell (whose_ancestors_had_farmed this land for_generations) would never have taken this_path.

Isabella Tree runs Knepp with her_husband, Charlie Burrell. Image: Anthony Cullen

“When you’re_just desperately trying to get by,_to get through the next_week or_month or year, you’re just_thinking of yields_the whole_time – you_don’t think of the impact you’re_having on the_soil, or the wildlife.” But farming_on_heavy Wealden clay_is_never_easy, and_by the end_of_the 1990s,_they_were more than a million pounds_in_debt. It was unsustainable, in every sense_of the word. So_they_sold their animals, their_machinery and gave up their_milk quota, accepting that they would_have to_do things_differently. Being forced to cut their losses also opened their eyes_to some radical new possibilities, and_the germ of rewilding_took hold._A_new path Eventually,_with_support from_government advisers Natural England and a host_of enthusiastic_conservationists and ecologists, they took the_most radical step any_farmer_could imagine. They let the land_go. Sure, there were some interventions,_like digging out ‘scrapes’ to_create_areas_of standing water. But for_the most part it was a_case of benign_neglect. And the effect was rapid –_and_dramatic.

A chaffinch takes in the view_from_a blackthorn tree. Image: Charlie Burrell_/_Knepp_Wildland

“We knew we were on_the right track, because we could_see signs of improvement [very early],” says Tree. In_the first year_came the insects – “it_was_like_surround sound. Then the birds followed,” and in greater numbers_and variety_than they thought_possible. Not everyone was happy. Some of Knepp’s farming neighbours_were out