Policy and influence

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 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

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

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

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

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