Policy and influence

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.

Andy Bond  •  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

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

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

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.

Andy Bond  •  02 Jul 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%.

Andy Bond  •  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.

Andy Bond  •  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

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

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.

Andy Bond  •  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

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

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

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.

Andy Bond  •  05 Dec 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.

Andy Bond  •  04 Oct 2023

Press Release

Woodland Trust report: £1 billion to save England’s 'forgotten woods and wildlife'

The Woodland Trust has produced and costed a £1 billion five-year plan to rescue nature in England’s threatened ancient woods.

Natalie Stephenson  •  27 Jun 2023

Press Release

Tree planting progress ‘near glacial' as Government releases new figures

Government tree planting figures published today show that targets to create new woodland in England have been missed again.

Natalie Stephenson  •  15 Jun 2023

Press Release

Over 40% of new road schemes across England impact irreplaceable ancient woods 

With 43% of major new road schemes across England causing huge damage to both ancient woodland and veteran trees, planned changes to the Government’s transport policy don’t go nearly far enough.

Andy Bond  •  05 Jun 2023

Press Release

Young people's climate anxiety is soaring due to lack of access to green space

One in three young people in Britain are scared (33%), sad (34%) or pessimistic (34%) about climate change, with 28% feeling “overwhelmed”, according to a YouGov poll.

Owen Phillips  •  21 Mar 2023

Press Release

One little word makes a huge difference for Scotland’s dwindling ancient woods

Campaigners are celebrating a major victory as new policy bars developments damaging ancient woods and trees.

George Anderson  •  15 Feb 2023

Press Release

A huge win for irreplaceable ancient woodland

Oldhouse Warren ancient woodland has had a stay of execution after Center Parcs abandoned its plans to develop a new village within this irreplaceable habitat.

Natalie Stephenson  •  10 Feb 2023

Press Release

GB plant biosecurity strategy is a missed opportunity

The Government today published its Plant Biosecurity Strategy for Great Britain. Read our reaction.

Alisha Anstee  •  09 Jan 2023

Press Release

Farming with trees is key to net zero, new research shows

A new Woodland Trust report shows how increasing agroforestry – farming with trees - in England is essential to meet nature and climate targets

Andy Bond  •  01 Nov 2022

Press Release

Coed Cadw welcomes Senedd support for 'Amazing Trees'

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

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

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

New report reveals serious threat to Welsh woods and trees

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

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