Policy and influence

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

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

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

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 Cadw 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

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

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

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

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