How trees fight climate change
Planting more trees is the best climate change solution. Find out how trees lock up carbon and how many we need to reach the UK's carbon net zero target by 2050.
Read the factsCredit: Ben Lee / WTML
Credit: WTML
13%
That's how low the UK's woodland cover is.
We want to get closer to the EU average of 37%.
47m
That's how many trees we've planted since 1972.
And we're planting more every day, and counting!
18k
That's how many tonnes of carbon we want to offset in 2019.
We're working with companies to tackle their carbon footprints.
We're planting to tackle climate change
Trees are one of the best ways to fight a changing climate.
That's why we're asking you to join us on the journey towards the government's climate goal by pledging to plant in The Big Climate Fightback.
More on trees and climate change
Blog
What are the effects of global warming in the UK? And how can we make a difference?
Nick Atkinson • 24 Apr 2019
Support us
Help lock up carbon with a donation
Help lock up carbon with a donation to help us protect and care for our woods.
Protecting trees and woods
Our work with The Climate Coalition
We're part of The Climate Coalition, a group of organisations dedicated to limiting the impact of climate change on the people, places and life we love.
Position statement
Climate change – the Woodland Trust's position
PDF (243 KB)
We're creating woods for future generations
We all need woods and trees, but there are simply not enough of them in the UK.
Our woodland planting projects are making new habitats for wildlife, buffering existing woodland and creating new natural spaces for people to enjoy.
We're creating a Young People's Forest
We're empowering young people to get involved and be a part of our Young People's Forest at Mead in Derbyshire.
Discover MeadMore on planting for the future
About us
The Northern Forest
The North of England has significantly less woodland cover than the rest of the country, but not for much longer. With our partners we are planting 50 million trees and transforming the landscape of northern England.
Plant trees
Free trees for schools and communities
We want to make sure everyone in the UK has the chance to plant a tree. So we’re giving away hundreds of thousands of trees to schools and communities.
Journal
Wood Wise: Future Forests
In this issue, we reflect on the learnings of woodland ecologists over the decades and how we can utilise this knowledge looking to the future.
PDF (5.78 MB)
We're supporting landowners
We work with landowners and farmers to utilise trees on their land.
Trees can help regenerate soil, prevent flooding and provide shelter for livestock.
Planting for farmers and landowners
If you manage a farm or land, planting trees can bring huge benefits. We have lots of trees and funding schemes available to assist with large scale planting.
Find out how your land can benefit from treesMore on our work with landowners
Research report
Planting trees to protect water on farms
PDF (1.64 MB)
Video
Meet the people behind our work: Cumbrian landscape
00:02:00
Case study
Shelter boosts lamb survival rate - planting trees for sheep farming
PDF (698 KB)
Case study
Trees planting on farms without affecting subsidies
PDF (134 KB)
We're helping businesses go green
We work with partners to mitigate carbon emissions and reach their sustainability targets.
Our partners have funded millions of trees and got stuck in on planting days, with even Mickey Mouse lending a hand.
Our planting partners
Meet the people and businesses that are helping make our vision for a UK rich in woods and trees a reality.
Our partnersMore on our partnerships
Get planting
Shop
Buy trees from our shop
We have single trees and tree packs to meet your needs, from wildlife to woodfuel. Delivery is free.
External link
Plant trees
Free trees for schools and communities
We want to make sure everyone in the UK has the chance to plant a tree. So we’re giving away hundreds of thousands of trees to schools and communities.
Plant trees
How to plant a tree
Follow our guide to three of the most successful ways to plant.