A new public footpath has been unveiled at Gair Wood that links up with the ever-popular Meanwood Valley Trail and Leeds Country Way.
It will be the first time the public will have access to the site owned by the University of Leeds.
More than 60,000 trees were planted three years ago to enhance the local environment and provide a valuable resource for research and teaching.
The opening of this new path marks an important step in making Gair Wood more accessible, connecting people with a landscape that is evolving to meet the challenges of climate change.
To allow the young trees to grow and escape the spread of diseases and invasive species, access to the site was restricted but now that the trees are becoming more established, a path has been created adjacent to King Lane, a busy country road that adjoins the south edge of the site.
Dr Cat Scott, Associate Professor in the Institute for Climate and Atmospheric Science at the University of Leeds, said: "We've been working in partnership with the local community from the start of the Gair Wood project.
"It's important that both local residents and visitors to the area can benefit from the new woodland. Now walkers on two popular routes can pass through our site to avoid walking alongside a busy road. Over the next few years, we plan to open more paths once the new trees and hedges are a little bigger."
Professor Nick Plant, Pro-Vice Chancellor: Research and Innovation at the University of Leeds, said: "The opening of this new path marks an important step in making Gair Wood more accessible, connecting people with a landscape that is evolving to meet the challenges of climate change.
"It now brings together research, education and the community, giving people the opportunity to experience first-hand how we are enhancing biodiversity and creating a resilient sustainable environment for the future."
A wide variety of native trees have been planted, including oak, alder, silver birch, willow, hawthorn and holly. The White Rose Forest has supported the tree planting as well as the creation of paths and fencing at Gair Wood through their Government-funded Trees for Climate programme.
The White Rose Forest is the Community Forest for North and West Yorkshire and works in partnership with government, businesses, landowners and communities to plant and manage trees and woodland where they are needed most for people and nature.
Emma Hosker, White Rose Forest Project Manager, said: "It is brilliant to see community access being opened up at Gair Wood and connections made to existing walking routes. We hope many more people can now enjoy the growing woodland and appreciate the important research opportunities it provides."
The good health of the trees is a testament to the hard work of the Friends of Gair Wood.
Naomi Cohen, who lives in Alwoodley Gates, has been a volunteer since February 2022.
Naomi said: "My 21 year-old daughter Leanna has also come to some of these volunteering sessions and they have been wonderful bonding sessions. I love that she's inherited my interest in nature and is now studying Biology at university.
"She will be able to witness those trees grow over her lifetime. We were both involved in the original planting so to see it evolving into a biodiverse woodland right on our doorstep is really exciting."
The Emmerdale cast and crew have also helped to maintain the site by checking tree guards to ensure they are clear of grass and other fast-growing species, replacing damaged guards and looking out for trees blowing over in the wind.
Dr Thomas Sloan, Forest Science and Policy Fellow at the University of Leeds, said: "The research team are really pleased with our success in establishing the woodland and we've achieved this because of the efforts of all our volunteers in ensuring the trees survive these first years."
He explained the new permissive path is just stage one and the second phase will open up the site further in future years. Signage and direction markers clearly set out where walkers can go.
"The existing Meanwood Valley Trail is very popular, so I'm sure this path taking walkers away from a busy road will be a welcome addition to the route," said Dr Sloan.
"The trees are still establishing and we have several research projects underway at Gair Wood, so it's important people stick to the public route to prevent damage to the wider site or disruption to our scientific monitoring."
As part of the University's Climate Plan, the aim of Gair Wood is to create a woodland that enhances biodiversity, stores carbon and acts as a Living Laboratory that provides research and teaching opportunities.
The site was named after Roger Gair, who worked at the University for more than 40 years – 20 of them as University Secretary. He planted the first tree, an oak, in December 2022.
