The Woodland Trust - find out more

Frequently asked questions

	Are Woodland Trust woods open to the public? The majority of our woods are open free of charge for the public to enjoy and you can find details about these in the our woods section. There are a small number of woods where we do not encourage access for safety reasons.
	I am growing some trees in pots in my garden. Would the Woodland Trust like to plant them in one of its woods?
	Trees for our planting schemes have to be ordered well in advance of the planting season, in bulk from commercial nurseries so as to be sure of supply and delivery. We do not have the resources to collect and store temporarily small numbers of trees from individual donors. However, where we are organising public tree planting events, we are happy for people to bring along small numbers of trees if the species is suitable for the site. Information on our tree planting events can be found on this website. Please contact us in advance before bringing trees along to an event. You could seek further advice on possible homes for your trees from the Trees Officer (sometimes called the Arboricultural Officer) at your nearest local authority office.
	Why does the Woodland Trust not do more to get children involved in tree planting and caring for trees?
	In 2004 we launched “Tree For All”, the biggest most exciting tree planting campaign the UK has ever seen. Over a five year period, we are aiming to get one million children involved in planting 12 million trees: one tree for every child under the age of 16 in the UK. For more information on our Tree For All campaign and how you can get involved, please refer to our special campaign website at www.treeforall.org.uk
	Why doesn't the Woodland Trust plant more woods in urban areas? That is where more trees are really needed?
	We already own a significant number of woods in urban areas. For example our woods in Warrington and Runcorn, which were gifted to us by the former Development Corporation. In Scotland we were given a number of woods in the new towns of Glenrothes and Livingston. There is certainly a need to plant more woodland in urban areas where bare land is available. The problems we experience in finding suitable sites include: the high price of land in such areas and also the fact that many former industrial sites are contaminated. Our Woods on your Doorstep Project created 250 new woods for the benefit of local communities very close to urban areas. We have produced a series of Urban Woodland Management Guides for local authorities & others who manage urban sites to help promote best practice
	Does the Woodland Trust plant trees for timber?
	Our main purpose for planting trees is to create woods for conservation purposes and to provide enjoyment for local people. We sometimes produce timber as a by-product of essential woodland management. When this happens, we do then sell the timber and the proceeds are put towards our conservation work.
	Can I give a donation towards tree planting?
	The Woodland Trust has a series of schemes under which you can give donations towards tree planting in one of our woods.
	What trees will be planted?
	We plant mainly a variety of native species. Most commonly we plant oak, ash, alder, rowan, birch or wild cherry to suit local conditions and to enhance the wildlife, landscape and conservation value of the site. Other species planted include hazel, Caledonian Scots pine, hawthorn, blackthorn, holly and roses.
	Who plants the trees? Can I come along and help?
	We often organise tree planting events, where anyone can come along and help with the planting - see our get involved section and click on 'Tree planting'. The "Tree For All” campaign, which aims to get one million children involved in planting 12 million trees, also has details of tree planting and other events.
	Some of the trees in my garden look as though they are dying. Can the Woodland Trust offer me some advice?
	To be effective, we have to prioritise our work and unfortunately this means that we are unable to offer an advice service to owners of trees or woodland. If you can’t find the answer in a book in your local library you could get a professional arboricultural consultant to look at the trees: a list can be obtained from the Arboricultural Association on 01794 368717. Alternatively, for advice over the telephone on this or other issues relating to the growth of trees, you could contact the Arboricultural Advisory and Information Service on 09065 161147 (calls are charged at Ł1.50 per minute).
	I have seen a large amount of ivy on some trees - should it be removed as it may be killing the trees?
	In our view, ivy is not a plant which directly causes harm to trees. Ivy is a non-parasitic climber which only has feeding roots in the soil around these trees. The small hair-like root structures on the ivy stems are for support only and do not take moisture or nutrients from the supporting tree. Where ivy has grown high into the crown it may affect tree stability. The natural balance of the crown, stem and roots may be adversely affected by dense ivy growth and the tree may be liable to blow over in high winds, particularly when accompanied by rain or snow. Dense ivy growth in the tree canopy is often associated with trees already weakened by disease or old age. Where such trees are near rides, footpaths or roads we may remove ivy in the interests of public safety. Ivy does however provide a valuable habitat for insects and nesting birds and its berries provide food for birds, particularly during the winter months when other food is scarce. We have a policy of protecting and enhancing the nature conservation interest of woodland and, as such, value the habitat offered by ivy (one of our few native evergreen plants).
	I have a small wood. Can the Woodland Trust give me some help in managing it?
	You can obtain professional advice on woodland management from a suitably qualified consultant. A list of consultants in your area can be obtained from the Institute of Chartered Foresters on 0131 225 2705. It may be possible to obtain some free advice from the Trees Officer at your local authority or from the Woodland Officer at your local office of the Forestry Commission. You may also wish to consider joining the National Small Woods Association (tel: 01743 792644) as they offer advice and support to their members. The Woodland Trust does not offer an advice service to other landowners. Our woodland management resources are focused in dealing with our own sites. However you may be able to find useful information on the Community Woodland Network website (details below).
	What is the Community Woodland Network?
	It is a network, set up by the Woodland Trust, to support community woodland groups that are actively engaged or want to become involved in managing existing, or creating new, woodland. We offer an interactive website with woodland publications, a telephone helpline, events and funding for group activity. For more information please look on our website - www.yourwoods.org.uk
	I am a member of a group which would like to place a geocache in a local Woodland Trust wood. Can you tell me whether geocaching is allowed and if so how to go about getting permission?
	The Woodland Trust has guidelines for setting up geocaches on its land. You can read these guidelines and complete an application form here.
	I am very concerned about the state of a Woodland Trust wood near my home. What can I do if I feel it is not being managed properly?
	All of our woods have management plans drawn up by our local woodland officer which take into account our woodland management principles and the particular needs of the wood. The plans are each reviewed every five years and can be found in our woods directory If you have a particular concern about one of our woods, please telephone 01476 581111 for England, 01764 662554 for Scotland, 028 9127 5787 for Northern Ireland or 01686 412508 for Wales. You will be put in touch with the appropriate woodland officer.
	I worry about the use of too many chemicals in woods. What is the Woodland Trust’s attitude to this and other environmental issues?
	All Woodland Trust woods have been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council as meeting high standards of environmental care and as part of this we have entered into a long term commitment to reduce and eventually eliminate chemical use. Further detail on our policy on this and a number of other topical issues can be found on our campaigns section under the heading “The Trust’s View”.
	The Woodland Trust claims that its woods are independently certified as being managed sustainably. What does this mean?
	The Woodland Trust was the first major landowner in the UK to have all its woods certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, an independent international body set up to promote better management of the world's forests. Certification by the FSC guarantees that wood and wood products have come from responsibly managed sustainable sources that meet strict, environmental, social and economic standards.
	Now that my parents are both gone, I’ve been thinking of setting up some kind of special memorial – a bench perhaps, or a grove of trees. What can the Woodland Trust offer?
	We offer stands of trees, acres and benches for all events, both happy and sad. For larger memorials we can also offer bespoke dedications. Find out more…
	I’ve been a lifelong lover of trees and woods, and I’d like to remember the Trust in my will so that others can continue to enjoy these pleasures after I have gone. What do I need to do in order to leave a legacy to the Trust?
	Thank you for considering helping us by leaving a legacy. Without legacies, we would not have been able to acquire many of the woods we now protect and care for. Our legacies website has all the information you need although if you would prefer please call on 01476 581151.
	When I die, I would like to be buried in a wood. Does the Woodland Trust operate a woodland burial scheme?
	The Woodland Trust has explored the feasibility of a woodland burial scheme and decided not to proceed; this decision may be reviewed in the future. For details of local councils and other organisations who operate woodland burial schemes, you may wish to contact the Natural Death Centre on 020 7359 8391 or visit heir website at www.naturaldeath.org.uk, as we understand they have a complete and regularly updated list of the 180 schemes in the UK. Otherwise contact your local authority directly.
	Can I scatter ashes in Woodland Trust woods?
	Yes. However, we ask you not to hold any kind of formal ceremony in the wood and not to disturb the ground in anyway.
	I am secretary of a local horticultural society. Could we have a speaker from the Woodland Trust to talk at our AGM?
	Yes, the Woodland Trust has a Voluntary Speakers’ Scheme. We have volunteers who give illustrated talks to local groups about woodland conservation and the work of the Woodland Trust.
	I am a teacher. I would like to teach my class about trees and woodland. Can you send me some information?
	We have online and offline curriculum-linked resources for both primary and secondary age on our dedicated teacher website www.wildaboutwoods.org.uk. These include cutting-edge interactive activities exploring a wood under threat of development, learning how trees have lived through important moments in human history and the chance to get creative with some woodland poetry. For bags of information on our native species, resources and games, plus the chance for your school to contribute to a real science project about climate change, visit our Nature Detectives website for the 4-18s www.naturedetectives.org.uk. And don’t forget our Tree for All project - there are lots of ways your school can help us reach our target of planting 12 million trees - www.treeforall.org.uk.
	I heard on the radio that the Woodland Trust are asking people to record when spring arrives, and when they hear the first cuckoo. How can I get involved?
	It is really easy to get involved and record the changing of the seasons, and it helps us understand how climate change is affecting our wildlife. Please visit www.phenology.org.uk or www.naturedetectives.org.uk (if you are under 18) to find out more. Recording is easy and it is free to take part - and you can record in both spring and autumn. Every record really makes a difference!
	How can my company support the work of the Woodland Trust?
	There are a variety ways of ways depending on your objectives and level of support: A donation from your company Join as a company member of the Woodland Trust Sponsor our work through a corporate partnership Email your enquiry details directly to our corporate fundraising team. Or telephone us on 01476 581112 Please visit the corporate partnerships section for details.
	How can I volunteer to help the Woodland Trust?
	As a volunteer you could get involved in many areas of our work. Although not all tasks are available across the UK, there are a variety of opportunities for new committed volunteers. Whether you only have time now and then, would like to be involved more regularly, or want to tackle a short term project – we could have just what you’re looking for. Some of our current volunteers act as specialist advisers in many areas of our work or as woodland wardens, others are involved in research, administration, site monitoring and mentoring staff. Please see what opportunities are available and register as a volunteer.
	My local authority has received a planning application involving felling a wood near my home to make way for a housing development. What can the Woodland Trust do to stop it?
	We are always concerned to hear of woodland which is under threat from development. We can offer general advice on how to go about objecting to the planning application yourself, in conjunction with other local residents. As the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity, we try to influence the planning process with the aim of ensuring there is a presumption against the unnecessary felling of woodland. As we have limited resources, our particular focus is on conserving ancient woodland, which is land which has been continuously wooded since before 1600, and constitutes an irreplaceable national resource. We would usually only comment on an individual planning application if ancient woodland is involved. We are also interested in identifying and protecting ancient trees. For more information on how to identify and record and ancient tree, please refer to our Ancient Tree Hunt website at www.ancient-tree-hunt.org.uk . If you know of ancient wood or ancient tree which is under threat, please go to our Woods Under Threat website at www.woodsunderthreat.info . This site contains a step by step guide on how to object to planning applications. You can also send us information on woods or trees under threat or look at current cases we are investigating.