1973: Avon Woods, a threatened ancient woodland in Devon is purchased, saving it from almost certain clear-felling and replanting with conifers.
1974: A line of hedgerow beech trees near Okehampton in Devon is saved by the Trust, leading to the creation of the first new wood, Dishcombe Wood, when an adjoining field is bought and the first tree planting project takes place.
1981: The Trust purchases Wormley Wood in Hertfordshire, part of Broxbourne Woods, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). (Dominated by an unusual combination of sessile oak and hornbeam, the woods were given National Nature Reserve (NNR) status by English Nature in 1996.)
1985: Martinshaw Wood, a 103 ha (255 acres) haven for wildlife and visitors near Leicester, despite the fact that it bisects the M1, is purchased by the Trust.
1987: Storms rage across the south and east of England on the night of 15-16 October, the worst one for over 250 years. People pledge over £250,000 to help the Trust restore its storm-damaged woods.
1991: Hedley Hall in Tyne and Wear is the Trust’s first purchase in a Community Forest. (Today, the Trust cares for sites in all 12 Community Forests across the country.)
1992: Trenant Wood, at Looe in Cornwall is the 500th wood acquired.
1997: The Trust acquires Hucking Estate, 160 hectares near Maidstone in Kent, after a £1.1 million HLF grant.