Policy and influence

Press Release

Wales' 'tree deserts' leave communities exposed to pollution, heat and poor health

Research by Coed Cadw, the Woodland Trust in Wales, reveals stark inequalities in access to the benefits urban trees provide.

The Woodland Trust  •  22 May 2026

Press Release

What the Scottish election results mean for woods, trees and nature

Over the last year, the Woodland Trust Scotland policy and advocacy team has met with every major party standing for election to the Scottish Parliament to identify shared priorities and offer evidence-led policy suggestions, set out in our Mair Trees Please manifesto.     

Simon Ritchie  •  21 May 2026

Press Release

UK ‘tree deserts’ leave millions exposed to pollution, heat and poor health

Millions of people in UK towns and cities are living in 'tree deserts' where communities are more exposed to poorer health outcomes, air pollution and rising temperatures.

Owen Phillips  •  14 May 2026

Press Release

Trees in the Scottish economy

Scotland’s economy ultimately depends on the health of its natural environment. From farming and crofting to forestry, tourism and rural enterprise, thriving landscapes underpin livelihoods across the country – and trees sit at the heart of that relationship.

Kate Fry  •  23 Apr 2026

Press Release

Tree equity in Scotland’s towns and cities

We believe that everyone, irrespective of background or circumstances, should have fair access to the benefits of trees. That's why we're calling on the next government to help deliver a bigger, better and fairer urban forest.

Anna Perks  •  16 Apr 2026

Press Release

Fight the threats to Scotland’s native woods and trees

We advocate and work for the protection of Scotland’s precious native trees and ancient woodlands. What can the next Scottish Parliament do to make that protection stronger?

Simon Ritchie  •  09 Apr 2026

Press Release

Save Scotland's rainforests

Scotland’s rainforest is bursting with a unique variety of flora and fauna. It is a habitat like no other, yet for many years it has come under sustained pressure from human activity.

Simon Ritchie  •  07 Apr 2026

Press Release

Expand Scotland’s native woodland

Scotland’s native woodlands are one of our greatest national assets. Yet, despite their importance, efforts to create new woodland are simply too slow. We're calling on the Scottish Government to change that.

Kate Fry  •  31 Mar 2026

Press Release

1.7+ million trees planted on crofts 

A scheme to help crofters create native woods has planted over 1.7 million trees in the last decade and established forestry as part of the crofting landscape. 

George Anderson  •  24 Mar 2026

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