Press centre

Press Release

“The Anthill Mob” come to rescue of hairy climate heroes

A group of volunteers nicknamed “The Anthill Mob” has rushed to the rescue of climate hero ants under threat from an invasive non-native plant.

George Anderson  •  28 Apr 2022

Press Release

Generous folk raise £2 million to help charity buy Devonshire site

The Woodland Trust has successfully secured funds to buy and transform a wooded wildlife haven in Devon. 

Andy Bond  •  11 Apr 2022

Press Release

Extended cold weather snap could be damning for wildlife this spring

The recent cold weather spell across the UK following a mild winter could have a detrimental effect on our wildlife says Woodland Trust.

Ruby Harrison  •  08 Apr 2022

Press Release

Charity secures more land for nature in the Yorkshire Dales by announcing £7 million fresh bid to transform a tree-less landscape

The Woodland Trust has doubled the land it owns at Snaizeholme, near Hawes, having secured a significant extension.

Andy Bond  •  06 Apr 2022

Press Release

Woodland Trust launches manifesto for Northern Ireland Assembly elections

Following the Woodland Trust’s critical report on the State of Woods and Trees in Northern Ireland in 2021, the conservation charity has launched its manifesto for the 2022 Northern Ireland Assembly elections.

Glynis Watt  •  05 Apr 2022

Press Release

Volunteers needed for vital UK urban tree mapping project

A UK urban tree mapping project led by Forest Research and involving the Woodland Trust, Trees for Cities and Brillianto, is calling on a band of volunteers to help them finish the map.

Steve Marsh  •  31 Mar 2022

Press Release

Croaky! Local bus company puts the brakes on to allow hundreds of toads to make perilous journey across busy road to breed

Toads making a perilous journey across a busy road to breed in Haddon Wood are being helped by committed volunteers and local transport companies.

Andy Bond  •  18 Mar 2022

Press Release

TREES project promotes nature-based farming

Woodland Trust Northern Ireland and Loughs Agency combine efforts to create resilient landscapes for the benefit of nature and the climate.

Glynis Watt  •  10 Mar 2022

Press Release

“Conservation cows” get new winter home as Woodland Trust acquires waterfront at Loch Venachar

Woodland Trust Scotland has extended its Glen Finglas estate in the Trossachs. The land will be a new winter home for the cattle whose grazing helps conserve the rare habitats.

George Anderson  •  09 Mar 2022

Press Release

Burghley House revealed as first Woodland Trust 70-acre wood for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

Lincolnshire's Burghley House is the fitting location for the Woodland Trust’s first confirmed 70-acre wood in celebration of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Owen Phillips  •  02 Mar 2022

Press Release

More than 90,000 free trees for over 700 farmers across the South West in big boost for the environment

Scores of farmers across the South-West are receiving free trees to plant on their land – set to bring widespread benefits including combating climate change.

Andy Bond  •  01 Mar 2022

Press Release

Woodland Trust's £2.5m plan to turn Devon site into woodland haven for rare wildlife - 50 years on from its first    

The charity is seeking the public’s help as it raises £2.5m to create a new wood in the backyard of where it was formed 50 years ago.

Andy Bond  •  11 Feb 2022

Press Release

Charity urging public to help raise £4.6 million to create new woodland and protect an ancient Ice Age land

The Woodland Trust is seeking the public’s help to transform 119 hectares of this land to create areas of new woodland and bolster unique habitats in Norfolk.

Andy Bond  •  04 Feb 2022

Press Release

Scottish nestcam osprey sighted in Senegal

A Scottish osprey that fledged at Loch Arkaig Pine Forest in 2019 has been spotted and photographed in Senegal in West Africa.

George Anderson  •  03 Feb 2022

Press Release

High hopes for hawthorn as British contender for European Tree of the Year

British hopes rest on a defiant lone hawthorn as online voting opens in the European Tree of the Year competition. 

George Anderson  •  01 Feb 2022

Press Release

Assynt Foundation and Woodland Trust Scotland Announce Historic 30-Year Partnership

The Assynt Foundation and Woodland Trust Scotland have entered a 30-year partnership to revitalise Glencanisp and Drumrunie Estates in the North-west highlands.

George Anderson  •  23 Dec 2021

Press Release

Battle steps up to save “commando” pinewood from spruce threat

Battle is raging once more across a WWII Commando training ground but this time the fight is to save spectacular remnants of ancient Caledonian pinewood.

George Anderson  •  22 Dec 2021

Press Release

UK’s Tree of the Year 2021 revealed

A defiant lone hawthorn guarding the Scottish coastline is the winner of the Woodland Trust’s Tree of The Year for 2021.

Owen Phillips  •  14 Dec 2021

Press Release

Woodland Trust Scotland Buys Highland Estate

Woodland Trust Scotland has completed the purchase of the 4,500-acre Couldoran Estate in Wester Ross, a site it plans to transform for the benefit of people and wildlife.

George Anderson  •  09 Dec 2021

Press Release

Woodland Trust reveals nominations for Tree of The Year

The list for the coveted UK-wide prize has been whittled down to just 10 and voting is now open to the public, who will decide which tree will be named champion.

Owen Phillips  •  08 Dec 2021

Press Release

Woodland Trust announces plans for Captain Tom's Memorial Woodland  

Holme House Wood, Keighley will be renamed and redesigned in honour of Captain Sir Tom Moore.

Steve Marsh  •  01 Dec 2021

Press Release

Center Parcs proposals would result in unacceptable loss of historic ancient woodland in Sussex 

National charities, environmental experts and Sussex conservation groups are alarmed by Center Parcs’ proposals for ancient Worth Forest and urge them to think again.

Natalie Stephenson  •  23 Nov 2021

Press Release

Center Parcs ancient woodland plans are not warranted

Read our president Clive Anderson's view on Center Parcs' proposals to turn precious ancient woodland into a new holiday resort in Sussex.

Clive Anderson  •  23 Nov 2021

Press Release

Woodland Trust to establish new 70-acre woods for The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

A plan to create dozens of 70-acre woods in celebration of The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 has been unveiled by the Woodland Trust.

Owen Phillips  •  18 Nov 2021

Press Release

Former PM Theresa May praises rapidly expanding Northern Forest project during visit to Bolton

Former PM Theresa May has visited Smithills, the site of the first Northern Forest planting, to praise the project as a shining example of what can be achieved.

Andy Bond  •  12 Nov 2021

Press Release

Woodland Trust plants first trees in Glas-na-Bradan Wood

Woodland Trust Northern Ireland has planted the first of 150,000 trees at its new 98 hectare site, Glas-na-Bradan Wood in the Belfast Hills.

Glynis Watt  •  10 Nov 2021

Press Release

COP26 sees countries pledge global declaration on forests – but what does this mean to the UK?

The UK is part of a new global declaration on forests announced at COP26. But what does this mean in terms of action on the loss of UK woods and trees?

Andy Bond  •  03 Nov 2021

Press Release

Public statement response to ancient woodland protection announcements

Government has accepted the need to improve the protection of England’s ancient woods and trees. Now we need action to make these commitments a reality.

Adam Cormack  •  22 Oct 2021

Press Release

Huge rise in cheap tree imports puts UK’s trees and climate targets at risk

New figures released today by Government show the scale of the UK’s reliance on cheap tree imports, putting the nation’s woods and trees at serious risk, warns the Woodland Trust.

Natalie Stephenson  •  21 Oct 2021

Press Release

Plant more trees and improve the state of our woods and trees or miss vital climate change targets

The UK risks failing to meet its carbon net zero ambitions unless more trees are planted and the condition of existing woods is improved.

Andy Bond  •  14 Oct 2021

Press Release

£14.8m boost to breathe new life into the Northern Forest with over a million new trees to be planted in the next year

Almost £15 million of funding will be pumped into the Northern Forest in the next year with just over one million new trees (at least 670 hectares) established.

Andy Bond  •  27 Sep 2021

Press Release

Before and After: 25 Years of Restoration at Glen Finglas

The Woodland Trust is celebrating 25 years managing Glen Finglas Estate in The Trossachs. Once a heavily grazed sheep farm, the landscape is now diverse and thriving.

George Anderson  •  20 Sep 2021

Press Release

Sutherland wood carvers final work is now his own memorial

A woodworker who made elaborate commemorative benches is to be himself commemorated by his final unfinished piece.

George Anderson  •  26 Aug 2021

Press Release

Camera-dodging osprey chicks revealed

Two osprey chicks that dodged the gaze of online fans this summer are finally on view with the release of pictures and video taken when they were ringed.

George Anderson  •  26 Jul 2021

Press Release

As the UK’s biggest woodland charity continues its decades-long recovery of a fire ravaged site it issues a summer plea: don’t light fires

Three years on from the biggest ever fire on its sites - a blaze that destroyed swathes of land and left wildlife reeling - the Trust is urging people not to light fires.

Andy Bond  •  23 Jul 2021

Press Release

Coed Cadw welcomes Senedd support for 'Amazing Trees' and calls for public & community support to plant thousands more

Coed Cadw welcomes Senedd support for 'Amazing Trees' and calls for public & community support to plant thousands more

Llinos Humphreys  •  16 Jul 2021

Press Release

Charity set to reshape conservation sector with plastic free planting pledge

The Woodland Trust is set to revolutionise the conservation sector as it pledges to end the use of all plastic tree shelters from its sites by the end of the year.

Andy Bond  •  07 Jul 2021

Press Release

New population of one of UK’s rarest butterflies found in Kent

The heath fritillary, one of the UK’s rarest butterflies, has been discovered for the first time at the Woodland Trust’s Victory Wood in Kent.

Andy Bond  •  01 Jul 2021

Press Release

Public asked to name new Woodland Trust site in Belfast Hills

The Woodland Trust Northern Ireland has asked the public to name its new woodland in the Belfast Hills.

Glynis Watt  •  21 Jun 2021

Press Release

Official planting figures show urgent need for more action

Read our response to the latest National Statistics on woodland released on 17 June 2021.

Steve Marsh  •  17 Jun 2021

Press Release

Free tree packs scheme now open for schools and communities

The Woodland Trust is offering free trees to help many thousands of schools and communities to plant trees to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

Steve Marsh  •  09 Jun 2021

Press Release

“More trees Gromit?” – charity launches £3.5m bid to bring much needed trees close to famous Wensleydale cheese creamery in the Yorkshire Dales

The Woodland Trust needs the public’s help to raise £3.5 million to buy a section of the Yorkshire Dales – and protect and expand a rare red squirrel reserve.

Andy Bond  •  26 May 2021

Press Release

Woodland Trust Northern Ireland buys ancient woodland in Kingdom of Mourne

The Trust has taken ownership of 156 hectares of Northern Ireland's Mourne Park estate with ambitions to restore ancient woodland and open it to the public.

Glynis Watt  •  24 May 2021

Press Release

A big step forward for nature - action must follow

Read our response to Government's announcement of a legally binding target to halt the decline of nature and wildlife by 2030.

Steve Marsh  •  18 May 2021

Press Release

Applications open for Woodland Trust’s scientific research programme

The Woodland Trust is inviting applications for research projects that will address its priority areas within the next two years.

Ruby Harrison  •  12 May 2021

Press Release

Landowners encouraged to plant trees for climate change and wildlife as MOREwoods applications reopen

Landowners across the country are being asked to consider planting trees to help tackle the climate and nature emergencies.

Dee Smith  •  29 Apr 2021

Press Release

Woodland Trust Northern Ireland branches out into Belfast Hills

Woodland Trust Northern Ireland has acquired new land in the Belfast Hills and plans to conserve and restore the 98 hectare site next to Cave Hill Country Park.

Glynis Watt  •  19 Apr 2021

Press Release

Coedwigoedd a choed Cymru 'dan fygythiad difrifol' yn ol adroddiad newydd 

Mae adroddiad newydd gan y Woodland Trust yn darparu tystiolaeth o ganlyniadau peri-fygythiol niferus i goedwigoedd a choed ledled y DU.

Llinos Humphreys  •  15 Apr 2021

Press Release

Welsh woods and trees 'seriously under threat' according to new report

A Woodland Trust report provides evidence of multiple threats that pose catastrophic consequences for woods and trees across the UK.

Llinos Humphreys  •  15 Apr 2021

Press Release

Coed Cadw yn datgelu eu maniffesto ar gyfer Senedd 2021

Mae Coed Cadw, y Woodland Trust yng Nghymru, wedi lansio ei maniffesto 2021; Gwreiddiau Adferiad Gwyrdd yng Nghymru.

Llinos Humphreys  •  31 Mar 2021

Press Release

Coed Cadw reveals manifesto for Senedd 2021

Coed Cadw, the Woodland Trust in Wales, has launched its 2021 manifesto: The Roots to a Green Recovery in Wales.

Llinos Humphreys  •  31 Mar 2021

Press Release

Ancient woodland in Kent brought back to life with Green Recovery funding

Work to restore part of the Woodland Trust’s Dering Wood in Kent has been completed thanks to the Government’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund.

Dee Smith  •  22 Mar 2021

Press Release

Woodland Trust £2.9 million to fund trees and green spaces for local communities

The Trust has given communities a boost by providing much needed funding for cash strapped local authorities to plant trees and create green spaces.

Andy Bond  •  11 Mar 2021

Press Release

Natural Resources Wales grants help to keep Welsh countryside accessible for all during Covid-19

A series of Natural Resources Wales grants has helped environmental charities keep green spaces accessible to the public during Covid-19.

Llinos Humphreys  •  12 Feb 2021

Press Release

Grantiau Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru yn helpu i gadw cefn gwlad Cymru yn hygyrch i bawb yn ystod Covid-19

Derbyniodd Coed Cadw grant gan gronfa Dyrannu Strategol CNC, gyda’r prif bwrpas o gefnogi'r sector i addasu i amgylchedd newydd Covid-19.

Llinos Humphreys  •  12 Feb 2021

Press Release

Charity's delight as Hereford's ancient woods and trees are saved

The Woodland Trust says it is delighted ancient woods and trees in Hereford have been saved after two controversial road schemes were scrapped. 

Dee Smith  •  03 Feb 2021

Press Release

Update on concerns for bats and felling of ancient woodland by HS2

HS2 Ltd has agreed to apply for the licences required to legally disturb bats in ancient woods.

Natalie Stephenson  •  23 Dec 2020

Press Release

Charity launches £1.5 million bid to double woodland close to Birmingham – and reclaim a piece of history

The Woodland Trust is launching a £1.5 million fundraising campaign to double the size of a woodland on the edge of Bromsgrove.

Andy Bond  •  15 Dec 2020

Press Release

Britain’s reliance on cheap imports risks millions of the nation’s trees

As Government draws up new policy, the Trust urges investment in UK nurseries for disease-free supply or risk jeopardising UK climate change efforts.

Natalie Stephenson  •  14 Dec 2020

Press Release

Green Recovery boost for ancient trees and woods

Irreplaceable ancient woods and trees across England are to benefit from a programme of restoration thanks to a cash boost from the Government’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund.

Dee Smith  •  10 Dec 2020

Press Release

Response to Sixth Carbon Budget

The Woodland Trust has responded to the publication of the Sixth Carbon Budget by the Climate Change Committee.

Steve Marsh  •  09 Dec 2020

Press Release

Scottish rowan to represent Britain in Europe

The Woodland Trust has chosen Scotland's Tree of the Year to represent Great Britain in the European Tree of the Year competition.

George Anderson  •  08 Dec 2020

Press Release

Woodland Trust welcomes DAERA Minister to 'Forests of the Future'

The Woodland Trust Northern Ireland welcomed Minister Edwin Poots MLA on a visit to Aughrim Hill and Fofanny in County Down.

Glynis Watt  •  02 Dec 2020

Press Release

Dame Judi Dench dedicates woodland in the north of Scotland

Dame Judi Dench has dedicated an acre grove at the Trust’s Ledmore and Migdale Wood in Sutherland as a lasting Christmas gift to friends.

George Anderson  •  27 Nov 2020

Press Release

Woodland Trust response to Government's Ten Point Plan

Read our response to Government's Ten Point Plan to tackle climate change and create jobs.

Steve Marsh  •  18 Nov 2020

Press Release

Schools and community groups urged to plant trees for Woodland Trust’s Big Climate Fightback

Time is running out for schools and community groups to apply for free trees and be part of the Woodland Trust’s Big Climate Fightback.

Dee Smith  •  18 Nov 2020

Press Release

Woodland Trust concerns over potential for illegal felling of ancient woodland for HS2

We have grave concerns that ancient woodland due for imminent destruction by HS2 Ltd might be felled without proper survey work to identify bat roosts, and without the proper licences required by law.

Dee Smith  •  16 Nov 2020

Press Release

Woodland Trust Scotland calls for higher native tree target in Big Climate Fightback

We're calling on Scottish Government to increase native tree planting targets as part of the fightback against climate change.

George Anderson  •  05 Nov 2020

Press Release

New research shows trees on poultry farms are providing havens for wildlife

Trees planted on poultry farms in Cumbria are providing benefits for biodiversity, new research for the Woodland Trust shows.

Dee Smith  •  03 Nov 2020

Press Release

Woodland Trust responds to A644 Link Road announcement

The Trust says it is heartened to hear road plans near Brighouse, West Yorkshire, are to go back to the drawing board because of the impact on ancient woodland.

Dee Smith  •  23 Oct 2020

Press Release

England's 2020 Tree of the Year winner revealed

A Hackney plane tree has been crowned England’s Tree of the Year for 2020, after the public voted overwhelmingly in its favour.

Natalie Stephenson  •  22 Oct 2020

Press Release

Once lonely rowan named Scotland’s Tree of the Year

A once lone rowan surrounded by new native woodland has been named Scotland's Tree of the Year 2020.

George Anderson  •  22 Oct 2020

Press Release

Wales' Tree of the Year 2020

An historic fern-leaved beech enveloping the remains of one of the first Cistercian abbeys in Wales has been crowned Wales Tree of the Year 2020.

Llinos Humphreys  •  22 Oct 2020

Press Release

Coeden Gymreig y Flwyddyn 2020

Ffawydden hanesyddol sydd wrth ymyl gweddillion un o’r abatai Sistersaidd cyntaf yng Nghymru a goronwyd yn Goeden y Flwyddyn Cymru 2020.

Llinos Humphreys  •  22 Oct 2020

Press Release

HS2 Ltd fells historic Cubbington Pear tree

The Woodland Trust says it is “shocked and upset” that HS2 Ltd has today felled the historic Cubbington Pear.

Andy Bond  •  20 Oct 2020

Press Release

The Woodland Trust sets out ambitious aim to help tackle climate change

The UK’s largest woodland conservation charity has announced a pledge to plant 50 million trees by 2025 to help tackle climate change.

Andy Bond  •  19 Oct 2020

Press Release

Woodland Trust responds to A27 Arundel bypass route announcement

The Woodland Trust says it is delighted threatened ancient woodland has had a reprieve with the choosing of the grey route for the A27 Arundel Bypass.

Dee Smith  •  15 Oct 2020

Press Release

Essex and Suffolk landowners urged to plant to protect the local landscape

The Woodland Trust is urging farmers and landowners to protect the landscape from the effects of ash dieback and other pests and diseases by planting trees.

Dee Smith  •  07 Oct 2020

Press Release

Wood that inspired Roald Dahl will be destroyed by HS2 this autumn

Nearly half of the wood said to have inspired Roald Dahl to write Fantastic Mr Fox will be destroyed for HS2 this autumn.

Dee Smith  •  19 Aug 2020

Press Release

Hughes Insurance partners Woodland Trust Northern Ireland to plant thousands of trees

Hughes Insurance and Woodland Trust Northern Ireland have joined forces to plant thousands of trees in Northern Ireland by 2022.

Glynis Watt  •  10 Aug 2020

Press Release

Woodland Trust response to planning reform white paper

If Government is serious about a more informed, transparent planning system that supports efforts to protect and expand woods, it isn't clear in proposals.

Steve Marsh  •  07 Aug 2020

Press Release

HS2’s catalogue of errors like a runaway train

HS2 Ltd. is continuing to fail the environment with a catalogue of errors growing longer all the time says the Woodland Trust.

Dee Smith  •  27 Jul 2020

Press Release

Woodland Trust response to the Government’s plans for people and nature after the UK’s exit from the EU

The Woodland Trust responds to the Government’s plans for people and nature after the UK’s exit from the European Union.

Andy Bond  •  20 Jul 2020

Press Release

Woodland Trust response to today’s announcement by Sheffield City Council on the halting of healthy tree felling

An agreement announced today by Sheffield City Council could bring meaningful reconciliation after years of tension over the mass felling of healthy street trees.

Natalie Stephenson  •  15 Jul 2020

Press Release

Be part of a green recovery with free trees from the Woodland Trust

As the country recovers from the coronavirus pandemic, community groups and schools are encouraged to apply for free tree packs by 14 August.

Dee Smith  •  13 Jul 2020

Press Release

Deluge of litter and fly tipping since lockdown is a mounting threat to nature

The Trust has seen an unprecedented surge in litter and fly tipping across woodland sites since lockdown began, presenting a rising threat to nature.

Andy Bond  •  07 Jul 2020

Press Release

Gender reveal for Loch Arkaig ospreys

Three osprey chicks have become an international hit during lockdown. Now we know their genders, the public is being asked to help name them.

George Anderson  •  07 Jul 2020

Press Release

Woodland Trust’s wet woods project sees nature friendly farming in action

The planting of 2000 trees and creation of ponds on farmer John Doherty’s land will improve water quality and provide new havens for wildlife.

Glynis Watt  •  02 Jul 2020

Press Release

Response to Boris Johnson's economic recovery speech

The Prime Minister’s plans to rebuild the UK economy need to acknowledge that we can't build a more resilient economy without a resilient environment.

Steve Marsh  •  30 Jun 2020

Press Release

England Tree Strategy must deliver for climate, nature and people

The Government today launched a consultation on the England Tree Strategy. It's a major opportunity for ministers to turn their commitment to tree and woodland expansion into a reality and set the path to tackle the wildlife and climate crises.

Steve Marsh  •  19 Jun 2020

Press Release

Disappointing planting figures in England still far below Government target

Official tree planting statistics released today show the challenge Government faces in meeting woodland expansion targets in the UK. 

Steve Marsh  •  11 Jun 2020

Press Release

“Track and trace” of cows introduced in woods to boost biodiversity

A small herd of cows will be tagged with GPS in a new scheme by the Woodland Trust to track their “moovements” and how they can boost diversity.

Andy Bond  •  05 Jun 2020

Press Release

Highland osprey family welcome their first 2020 chick live online

Ospreys on a live nest webcam have welcomed their first chick of the season at the Trust's Loch Arkaig Pine Forest in the Scottish Highlands.

Jillian Donnachie  •  29 May 2020

Press Release

More than 100,000 trees take root in Northern Forest

Over 100,000 trees were planted in the Northern Forest under the Trust’s MOREwoods scheme this planting season – double the previous year's number.

Dee Smith  •  15 Apr 2020

Press Release

HS2 to start digging up ancient woodland from April

HS2 Ltd has confirmed to the Woodland Trust it will begin the futile act of attempting to move the soil from five ancient woodlands during April.

Dee Smith  •  26 Mar 2020

Press Release

Andrew Carnegie’s “Fairy Glen” acquired by Woodland Trust Scotland

Woodland Trust Scotland has purchased a favourite summer picnic spot of Andrew Carnegie. The family named it “The Fairy Glen” and opened it to the public in 1907.  

George Anderson  •  20 Mar 2020

Press Release

Site near Bolton leading the way for study in flooding solutions

An upland site of moorland and woodland is being used to test pioneering solutions to combat flooding at the Trust's Smithills Estate.

Andy Bond  •  13 Mar 2020

Press Release

Largest ever new woodland to be created by the Woodland Trust in Wales

Some 150,000 native trees will start to be planted over the next five years to create a large woodland next to Gnoll Country Park in Neath.

Rory Francis  •  13 Mar 2020

Press Release

Creuir coedlan newydd mwyaf erioed gan Coed Cadw yng Nghymru

Diolch i arianwyr, fe fydd y gwaith o blannu tua 150,000 o goed brodorol dros y pum mlynedd nesaf yn dechrau, a hynny i greu coetir mawr newydd wrth ymyl Parc Gwledig Gnoll yng Nghastell-nedd.

Rory Francis  •  13 Mar 2020

Press Release

Woodland Trust creates largest native wood in Northern Ireland

The Woodland Trust is creating the single largest native woodland in Northern Ireland. Aughrim Hill in County Down will have over 110,000 native trees.

Glynis Watt  •  06 Mar 2020