Press centre

Press Release

Dawn of the Frankenstein trees

Monstrous experiments to raise the dead are taking place at the Woodland Trust's site Yonder Oak in Devon, to boost conservation efforts. 

Kate John  •  28 Oct 2025

Press Release

More farmers seeking benefits of trees - thousand attend Agroforestry Show 

A 'growing movement' is recognising that trees can offer farm resilience and business opportunities in the face of extreme weather with more than a thousand people joining the Agroforestry Show.

The Woodland Trust and Soil Association  •  15 Oct 2025

Press Release

Northern Ireland must increase tree planting urgently

The State of Woods and Trees 2025: Northern Ireland report reveals that Northern Ireland not only has the lowest woodland cover in the UK and Ireland, but is also failing to meet its own tree planting targets.

Michelle McCaughtry  •  14 Oct 2025

Press Release

Domestic tree production essential to hit climate and nature targets

The Government’s climate change and biodiversity targets will not be met without greater support for domestic tree production, according to a new report.

The Woodland Trust  •  14 Oct 2025

Press Release

Integrating trees on Scotland’s farms and crofts

Woodland Trust Scotland and the National Farmers Union Scotland have jointly written to the Scottish Government calling for farmers and crofters to be given more support to integrate native trees on their land. 

Simon Ritchie  •  03 Oct 2025

Press Release

Glasgow's Argyle Street ash wins UK Tree of the Year 2025

Standing tall on one of Glasgow’s busiest roads, the Argyle Street ash has been named the winner of the Woodland Trust’s annual Tree of the Year competition.

Rosa Johnston-Flint  •  26 Sept 2025

Press Release

Woodland Trust Scotland takes aim at health inequalities with trees targeted by neighbourhood

Woodland Trust Scotland has announced plans to target urban planting at neighbourhoods where trees have greatest potential to boost human health and wellbeing.

George Anderson  •  19 Sept 2025

Press Release

Survey reveals most Scots unaware Scotland has rainforest

Research indicates most people living in Scotland’s west coast rainforest zone have no idea the threatened habitat is right on their doorstep. But when they find out, the majority are enthusiastic about protecting and expanding it.

George Anderson  •  08 Aug 2025

Press Release

Coed Cadw welcomes launch of Wales' Sustainable Farming Scheme

Coed Cadw has expressed cautious optimism at the upcoming launch of the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme, describing it as a necessary first step towards a just transition for the people of Wales.

Llinos Humphreys  •  16 Jul 2025

Press Release

Coed Casw yn croesawu lansiad cynllun ffermio cynaliadwy cymru

Mae Coed Cadw, y Woodland Trust yng Nghymru, wedi mynegi optimistiaeth ofalus ynghylch lansiad Cynllun Ffermio Cynaliadwy (CFfC) Llywodraeth Cymru sydd ar ddod, gan ei ddisgrifio fel cam cyntaf angenrheidiol mewn taith llawer hirach tuag at drawsnewidiad cyfiawn i bobl Cymru.

Llinos Humphreys  •  16 Jul 2025

Press Release

Woodland Trust chief executive's statement on State of UK Climate Report

Darren Moorcroft, Woodland Trust chief executive, has made a statement in response to the Met Office’s State of UK Climate Report, which the Energy Secretary has labelled a “stark warning” to take action on climate and nature.

Darren Moorcroft  •  14 Jul 2025

Press Release

Inspiring ‘cultural trees’ shortlisted for Tree of the Year 2025

From a cedar that The Beatles climbed to an oak from a Virginia Woolf poem, discover the cultural trees shortlisted for Tree of the Year 2025.

Rosa Johnston-Flint  •  11 Jul 2025

Press Release

Highland estate as big as Glasgow to be revitalised in partnership between community, conservation charity and Aviva

Assynt Foundation, Woodland Trust Scotland and Aviva have struck a 30-year deal to revitalise a vast area in the northwest Highlands of Scotland.

George Anderson  •  10 Jul 2025

Press Release

Root of the problem: underfunding, underdelivering

This year’s woodland creation figures for Scotland are deeply disappointing. The numbers reflect not just a missed target, but another missed opportunity.

Sarah Madden  •  04 Jul 2025

Press Release

More than 10 million trees planted across the Northern Forest

More than 10 million trees have now been established across the North of England as part of the Northern Forest scheme, which launched in 2018.

Rosa Johnston-Flint  •  02 Jul 2025

Press Release

DAERA's Forests for our Future programme fails to meet planting targets for Northern Ireland

At the programme’s halfway point, less than a quarter of new woodland have been created – well below the level required to meet the target.

Lynsey Nixon  •  24 Jun 2025

Press Release

Five reasons to celebrate World Rainforest Day

World Rainforest Day is celebrated on 22 June and with good reason. Here are five ways rainforests help us.

Rosa Johnston-Flint  •  23 Jun 2025

Press Release

Music legend Nile Rodgers says ‘we are family’ to trees in Northern Ireland

American music legend Nile Rodgers and his We Are Family Foundation are throwing their weight behind woodland and community in Northern Ireland's Faughan Valley.

Lynsey Nixon  •  17 Jun 2025

Press Release

Wildlife declining in UK woods despite more tree cover, major new report reveals 

The State of the UK’s Woods and Trees 2025 report has revealed that the quantity and variety of woodland wildlife is plummeting, despite a marginal rise in tree cover.

The Woodland Trust  •  10 Jun 2025

Press Release

Eryri leads the way with 100-year vision to protect and restore native trees

The Woodland Trust in Wales is celebrating the launch of Eryri's Tree and Woodland Strategy 2025–2125 as the most ambitious, forward-thinking vision for trees and woodlands anywhere in the UK.

Sophie Thomas  •  09 Jun 2025

Press Release

Nature, art and youth vision unite with new mural at Brynau Farm

A once unremarkable concrete wall has been transformed into a stunning work of art thanks to a collaboration between Coed Cadw (the Woodland Trust in Wales) and Swansea College of Art.

Sophie Thomas  •  23 May 2025

Press Release

One year to go: a final Programme for Government

With a year to go until the next Scottish Parliament election, Scotland's First Minister, John Swinney, has announced that he plans to bring forward his Programme for Government.

Simon Ritchie  •  01 May 2025

Press Release

Woodland Trust statement on Whitewebbs Oak felling

We are shocked and devastated by the recent felling of the ancient Whitewebbs Oak in an Enfield park in London. We want to see justice for this nationally significant oak tree. 

Adam Cormack  •  16 Apr 2025

Press Release

Woodland Trust expresses shock at London ancient oak tree felling

Police are looking into the mysterious felling of one of London’s largest and most significant ancient trees at Whitewebbs Park in Enfield.

Owen Phillips  •  15 Apr 2025

Press Release

Spot spring’s vital signs and help the Woodland Trust record the impact of climate change on nature

The Woodland Trust is urging people to get outside and spot vital signs of spring to help monitor potentially “disastrous” effects of climate change on nature, before its campaign ends on Easter Monday.

Owen Phillips  •  26 Mar 2025

Press Release

Drone sows 75,000 native tree seeds to triple rainforest cover in Cornwall and Devon

An ambitious drone tree-seeding trial in the South West could revolutionise the expansion of rainforests.

The Woodland Trust  •  14 Mar 2025

Press Release

Research shows only 12% of local authorities have an action plan for nature recovery

The Woodland Trust is urging local authorities to declare a nature emergency and take steps to restore severely depleted wildlife and green spaces in their communities.

The Woodland Trust  •  04 Mar 2025

Press Release

New research proves woodland wildlife does wonders for wellbeing

Groundbreaking new research backed by the Woodland Trust proves that woods teeming with wildlife do wonders for your wellbeing.

Owen Phillips  •  11 Feb 2025

Press Release

The Woodland Trust’s Mourne Park is awarded £2.5 million windfall from the National Lottery Heritage Fund

Mourne Park is set to reopen following damage from Storms Darragh and Éowyn, with a significant financial windfall from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Glynis Watt  •  06 Feb 2025

Press Release

Have your say on tree protection in Northern Ireland

The Woodland Trust has invited the Northern Irish public to participate in a consultation on a Tree Protection Bill.

Glynis Watt  •  31 Jan 2025

Press Release

Land Use Framework – can we make it work for nature?

Progress has finally been made on a Land Use Framework for England, with Defra publishing a version for consultation.

Andy Allen  •  31 Jan 2025

Press Release

Secret seed sources sought for Scotland’s wee trees

Woodland conservationists are seeking to flush out secret seed sources for some of the country’s rarest and smallest mountain tree species.

George Anderson  •  28 Jan 2025

Press Release

Woodland Trust welcomes bypass withdrawal

The UK’s largest woodland conservation charity has applauded the scrapping of current plans for a controversial road scheme which could destroy dozens of ancient and veteran trees in Norfolk.

Owen Phillips  •  23 Jan 2025

Press Release

Team assembles to upskill the west coast to save Scotland’s rainforest

A team of nature conservationists have come together to develop a skill-boosting programme equipping local people to earn a living saving Scotland’s rainforest.

George Anderson  •  09 Jan 2025

Press Release

What happened at climate COP29 in Azerbaijan?

The recent climate COP in Azerbaijan spent two weeks discussing rules for carbon markets, emissions trading and climate finance. But what were the outcomes?

Andy Egan  •  20 Dec 2024

Press Release

11 weird and wonderful wildlife of our rainforests

From a stinky fish-smelling lichen to one which looks like a dragon’s skin, to the world’s largest slug with the strangest mating ritual – the weird and wonderful wildlife of our rainforests.

The Woodland Trust  •  06 Dec 2024

Press Release

Highland landowners team up to revive ecosystem area larger than Edinburgh

Four diverse landowners have formed a unique pact to “reawaken the landscape” across an area of Lochaber bigger than Edinburgh.

George Anderson  •  05 Dec 2024

Press Release

Green rewards with the Green Tree Schools Award

The Woodland’s Trust’s free and innovative environmental scheme for schools makes learning “fantastic”, bringing focus, freedom, and fun to the classroom.

Owen Phillips  •  29 Nov 2024

Press Release

Crunch time for trees as petition calling for new protection laws is handed in

A petition calling for stronger laws to protect iconic trees has been handed to the government, the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity has confirmed.

Owen Phillips  •  27 Nov 2024

Press Release

Budget Day 2024: what Holyrood should do for woods and trees

If Scotland is to meet its climate goals and restore nature to a thriving condition, we need more native trees and woods, and we need them in good condition.

Simon Ritchie  •  22 Nov 2024

Press Release

Campaign launched to support next generation of lone trees

Woodland Trust Scotland has launched a campaign to raise the next generation of lone trees and micro woods on farms and crofts.

George Anderson  •  20 Nov 2024

Press Release

Data shows low fruit yield after wet spring

The latest update from Nature’s Calendar, the Woodland Trust’s citizen science project, suggests knock-on effects of heavy rainfall earlier in the year.

Rosa Johnston-Flint  •  11 Nov 2024

Press Release

Skipinnish Oak crowned UK Tree of the Year 2024

A centuries-old oak nestled in the heart of Lochaber, Scotland, has been dubbed ‘Tree of the Year’ in the Woodland Trust’s prestigious competition.

Rosa Johnston-Flint  •  05 Nov 2024

Press Release

Woodland Trust says support home-grown tree nurseries to reduce disease risk

The Woodland Trust is urging the Government to continue support for UK tree nurseries to counter the threat posed by spiralling tree imports.

The Woodland Trust  •  10 Oct 2024

Press Release

Bugs on planes: volunteers hunt for new insect threat to iconic trees

Hardy volunteers are scouring trees across the UK in search of a hitchhiking bug that has made its way to our shores.

The Woodland Trust  •  04 Oct 2024

Press Release

Woodland Trust nears tree protection milestone as Living Legends petition gathers pace

A petition calling for stronger laws to protect important trees like the Sycamore Gap is tantalisingly close to its 100,000 target, says the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity.

Owen Phillips  •  02 Oct 2024

Press Release

Explore autumn’s beauty in native woodlands near you

Autumn has officially arrived, and the Woodland Trust has highlighted a list of woods to visit across Northern Ireland where you can see the stunning change in season.

Glynis Watt  •  30 Sept 2024

Press Release

Peatland struggles to recover six years on from devastating wildfires

A new survey on a fire-ravaged site has shed light on the struggle for natural environments to recover from catastrophic events.

The Woodland Trust  •  20 Sept 2024

Press Release

Biggest ever tree planting year for fast-expanding Northern Forest

More than 1.9 million trees – enough to fill over 1,200 football pitches – were planted across the Northern Forest in the last year.

The Woodland Trust  •  10 Sept 2024

Press Release

Argyll Peninsula Prepped to Save Scotland's Ancient Rainforest 

Regenerating Craignish Rainforest Habitats and Native Woods Co-operative join forces to revive ancient woodland on Argyll’s Craignish peninsula.

George Anderson  •  05 Sept 2024

Press Release

Agroforestry for Scottish farming’s future

The Scottish Government is crafting its new agricultural support scheme, representing the biggest change in the support and regulation of land use and management in Scotland for 40 years.

Sarah Madden  •  27 Aug 2024

Press Release

High Alert installation takes public art into the woods

The Woodland Trust Northern Ireland is hosting a public art exhibition by Rob Hilken at three of its sites in August and September.

Glynis Watt  •  08 Aug 2024

Press Release

New community woodland taking shape near Billington

Work is well underway on a new community woodland planned for Billington in Lancashire.

The Woodland Trust  •  02 Aug 2024

Press Release

"LincWoods" project to plant 200,000 trees across Lincolnshire in next two years

Lincolnshire County Council and the Woodland Trust have united for a major planting initiative to boost tree cover across the region.

The Woodland Trust  •  31 Jul 2024

Press Release

The Woodland Trust Northern Ireland plants 250,000 trees at Woodburn Reservoir

The Woodland Trust has been working in partnership with Northern Ireland Water on a regreening programme since 2020. During that time, the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity has planted around 476,000 native trees on Northern Ireland Water’s land.

Glynis Watt  •  29 Jul 2024

Press Release

Woodland Trust Northern Ireland welcomes Tree Protection Bill

Woodland Trust Northern Ireland has welcomed a Private Members Bill submitted at Stormont to protect trees.

Glynis Watt  •  25 Jul 2024

Press Release

Gold for young designer’s garden at Tatton

A young designer has won gold at RHS Tatton for creating a unique garden to highlight the dramatic loss of treasured trees outside woods.

The Woodland Trust  •  18 Jul 2024

Press Release

Young nature enthusiasts let creativity shine at Maldwyn 2024 Urdd Eisteddfod

Coed Cadw, the Woodland Trust in Wales, has announced the winners of its ‘Getting Creative With Nature’ Key Stage 2 competition, held in collaboration with the Urdd.

Lydia Tomkinson  •  09 Jul 2024

Press Release

Gwledd o greadigrwydd ymysg naturiaethwyr ifanc brwd yn Eisteddfod yr Urdd 2024 ym Maldwyn  

Mae Coed Cadw, sef The Woodland Trust yng Nghymru, wedi cyhoeddi enillwyr eu cystadleuaeth Cyfnod Allweddol 2, ‘Bod yn Greadigol ym Myd Natur’, a gynhaliwyd ar y cyd â’r Urdd.

Lydia Tomkinson  •  09 Jul 2024

Press Release

Loch Arkaig osprey chicks bound for Spain as Dad’s catch plummets

Two young ospreys from a nest in Lochaber have been taken into a translocation programme after their father’s plummeting fish catch began to raise concern.

George Anderson  •  02 Jul 2024

Press Release

Joint statement: new Government must show commitment to trees

If the many benefits of trees to society in both rural and urban areas are to be realised, urgent action will be required from the new government.

The Woodland Trust  •  02 Jul 2024

Press Release

Woodland Trust highlights ‘ticking threat’ of uncontrollable wildfires

An increasing threat of wildfires amid rising temperatures and Met Office warnings could have a "devastating" impact, according to the UK's largest woodland conservation charity.

Owen Phillips  •  27 Jun 2024

Press Release

New study reveals the UK’s rarest rainforest beetles are multi-day adventurers

A new study delving into the lives of one of the UK’s rarest beetles shows them to be athletes and adventurers – travelling the scaled–up equivalent of several kilometres a night in search of food and mates.

The Woodland Trust  •  18 Jun 2024

Press Release

Call for political parties to increase tree cover in England to 16.5%

Ahead of the General Election, conservation and commercial sectors are calling on political parties to increase England's tree cover to 16.5%.

The Woodland Trust  •  06 Jun 2024

Press Release

A £382 billion asset – why UK trees need better protection and urgent investment

The ONS has calculated an economic value for the UK’s trees and woods – £382 billion.

The Woodland Trust  •  06 Jun 2024

Press Release

A9 central reservation is in a better state than surrounding hills

A central reservation of one of Scotland's busiest roads, the A9, is in a more natural state than the surrounding hills, says report from the Woodland Trust.

George Anderson  •  28 May 2024

Press Release

Rhododendron is destroying our native wildlife

Popular for its pretty flowers, Rhododendron ponticum is an invasive non-native species and is damaging native woods and wildlife.

The Woodland Trust  •  23 May 2024

Press Release

Vandalism at Young People’s Forest will not derail nature project, says Woodland Trust

Structures damaged by recent vandalism at the Young People's Forest at Mead will cost thousands of pounds to repair.

The Woodland Trust  •  15 May 2024

Press Release

Deer in Scotland: a way forward?

Deer numbers in Scotland have doubled since 1990, posing a growing barrier to woodland creation and restoration.

Simon Ritchie  •  26 Apr 2024

Press Release

Lauren Child helps children smile with free trees

Much-loved children’s author Lauren Child has urged schools and community groups across the UK to take advantage of the Woodland Trust’s free trees scheme.

Owen Phillips  •  28 Mar 2024

Press Release

Early signs of spring becoming the new norm, says the Woodland Trust

Earlier signs of spring – such as the first leafing of trees or the first sightings of butterflies – could be here to stay, says the Woodland Trust.

The Woodland Trust  •  22 Mar 2024

Press Release

Gallai dull teg a hyblyg fodloni gofynion gorchudd coed ar gyfer ffermydd Cymru

Gall cyllid teg a dull hyblyg wneud y gofyniad gorchudd coed lleiaf o 10% yn gyraeddadwy ar gyfer y rhan fwyaf o ffermydd, medd Coed Cadw yng Nghymru.

Lydia Tomkinson  •  12 Mar 2024

Press Release

How can we fund new woodland against a backdrop of cuts?

A 41% cut to anything is a big deal. But when it amounts to £32,000,000, it’s a massive deal. That’s the scale of the cut that the 2024-25 Scottish Budget imposes on woodland grants.

Simon Ritchie  •  01 Mar 2024

Press Release

GPs urge policymakers to invest in green space to reduce NHS pressure

Policymakers must prioritise the environment to improve the health of the nation and ease pressure on the NHS, say doctors.

The Woodland Trust  •  29 Feb 2024

Press Release

Fair and flexible approach could meet tree cover requirement for Welsh farms

Fair funding and a flexible approach can make the 10% minimum tree cover requirement achievable for most farms, says the Woodland Trust in Wales.

Lydia Tomkinson  •  22 Feb 2024

Press Release

Children's author Michael Morpurgo backs project bringing city children into nature and farming

The Woodland Trust is working with Farms for City Children, a charity founded by Michael and Clare Morpurgo to connect city children with nature and farming.

The Woodland Trust  •  09 Feb 2024

Press Release

Commercial and conservation sectors condemn Forest Grant Scheme cuts

Enormous cuts to the woodland grant budget will torpedo Scotland’s chances of meeting climate and nature targets.

George Anderson  •  15 Jan 2024

Press Release

Our statement on new Government ELM announcement on funding for farmers

Our response to Steve Barclay's Oxford Conference announcement regarding Environmental Land Management payments for farmers.

The Woodland Trust  •  04 Jan 2024

Press Release

Woodland Trust announces Tony Hall – Lord Hall of Birkenhead as new chair

The Woodland Trust is delighted to announce the appointment of Tony Hall – Lord Hall of Birkenhead as the charity’s new chair. He will take up the role in June 2024.

Ruby Nutting  •  19 Dec 2023

Press Release

Woodland Trust sets out priorities for Woodland Creation Summit

Woodland Trust Scotland has set out its priorities ahead of a Scottish Government summit this month.

Simon Ritchie  •  06 Dec 2023

Press Release

Woodland Trust seeks major new corporate partner to empower young people through ‘Funding for the Future’

The Woodland Trust, recognised as the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity, is boldly seeking out the perfect business to work in partnership with to support an ambitious new programme of work.

Julie Ellerby  •  06 Dec 2023

Press Release

Tree equity map shows less affluent areas have less tree cover

People in less affluent areas have lower levels of tree cover and a higher risk of health problems from poor air quality, new online tree equity map reveals.

The Woodland Trust  •  05 Dec 2023

Press Release

Politicians plant six millionth tree of the Northern Forest

A host of dignitaries joined together to plant the six millionth tree of the Northern Forest, marking five years since the start of the ambitious project to link up Liverpool and Hull with trees.

The Woodland Trust  •  01 Dec 2023

Press Release

Scotland’s wildest wild apples gathered for ‘gene bank’ orchard in the Trossachs

A genetic refuge for Scotland’s wildest crab apple trees has been established at Woodland Trust Scotland’s Glen Finglas Estate in the Trossachs.

George Anderson  •  30 Nov 2023

Press Release

Groundbreaking scientific research project at Snaizeholme will tackle the impacts of extreme weather

One of the biggest pieces of scientific research ever undertaken in the English uplands will tackle the impacts of extreme weather.

The Woodland Trust  •  17 Nov 2023

Press Release

First trees planted as charity tees up to turn abandoned golf course into wildlife haven

School children are set to plant the first of 30,000 trees at Frodsham, Cheshire in an ambitious project to turn fairways into forest and greens into glades.

The Woodland Trust  •  08 Nov 2023

Press Release

300,000 households given new access to nature, new study of Northern Forest shows

More than 300,000 households have been given access to nature they previously didn’t have, a new Northern Forest study shows.

The Woodland Trust  •  04 Oct 2023

Press Release

Logging horse and 'Water Horse' team up to revive ancient Highland forest

The newest form of timber transport has teamed up with the oldest, in a bid to restore a spectacular remnant of Caledonian pinewood and Scotland’s rainforest.

George Anderson  •  02 Oct 2023

Press Release

Dalkeith named heritage tree hotspot as experts record 500 “living legends”

Dalkeith Country Park in Midlothian has been revealed as a heritage tree hotspot after experts recorded 500 ancient, veteran and notable oaks over the last year.

George Anderson  •  22 Sept 2023

Press Release

Over 900 Insect Species Identified at “Commando” Wood in the Scottish Highlands

Ecologist Ian Strachan discovers 946 invertebrate species in Scotland's Loch Arkaig Pine Forest, highlighting its rich biodiversity and historical significance.

George Anderson  •  22 Aug 2023