Threats to woods and trees

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

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

Woodland Trust welcomes bypass withdrawal

The UK’s largest woodland conservation charity has applauded the scrapping of current plans for a controversial road scheme which could destroy dozens of ancient and veteran trees in Norfolk.

Owen Phillips  •  23 Jan 2025

Press Release

Woodland Trust says support home-grown tree nurseries to reduce disease risk

The Woodland Trust is urging the Government to continue support for UK tree nurseries to counter the threat posed by spiralling tree imports.

Andy Bond  •  10 Oct 2024

Press Release

Bugs on planes: volunteers hunt for new insect threat to iconic trees

Hardy volunteers are scouring trees across the UK in search of a hitchhiking bug that has made its way to our shores.

Andy Bond  •  04 Oct 2024

Press Release

Peatland struggles to recover six years on from devastating wildfires

A new survey on a fire-ravaged site has shed light on the struggle for natural environments to recover from catastrophic events.

Andy Bond  •  20 Sep 2024

Press Release

Argyll Peninsula Prepped to Save Scotland's Ancient Rainforest 

Regenerating Craignish Rainforest Habitats and Native Woods Co-operative join forces to revive ancient woodland on Argyll’s Craignish peninsula.

George Anderson  •  05 Sep 2024

Press Release

Gold for young designer’s garden at Tatton

A young designer has won gold at RHS Tatton for creating a unique garden to highlight the dramatic loss of treasured trees outside woods.

Andy Bond  •  18 Jul 2024

Press Release

Woodland Trust highlights ‘ticking threat’ of uncontrollable wildfires

An increasing threat of wildfires amid rising temperatures and Met Office warnings could have a "devastating" impact, according to the UK's largest woodland conservation charity.

Owen Phillips  •  27 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

Rhododendron is destroying our native wildlife

Popular for its pretty flowers, Rhododendron ponticum is an invasive non-native species and is damaging native woods and wildlife.

Andy Bond  •  23 May 2024

Press Release

Vandalism at Young People’s Forest will not derail nature project, says Woodland Trust

Structures damaged by recent vandalism at the Young People's Forest at Mead will cost thousands of pounds to repair.

Andy Bond  •  15 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

Early signs of spring becoming the new norm, says the Woodland Trust

Earlier signs of spring – such as the first leafing of trees or the first sightings of butterflies – could be here to stay, says the Woodland Trust.

Andy Bond  •  22 Mar 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

Scotland’s wildest wild apples gathered for ‘gene bank’ orchard in the Trossachs

A genetic refuge for Scotland’s wildest crab apple trees has been established at Woodland Trust Scotland’s Glen Finglas Estate in the Trossachs.

George Anderson  •  30 Nov 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

Clock is ticking for Britain’s incredibly rare rainforests

The Woodland Trust is highlighting the plight of its special rainforests to coincide with World Rainforest Day. Despite fears over the future of the Britain’s rainforests, much is being done on the ground to protect these special habitats. 

Andy Bond  •  22 Jun 2023

Press Release

Climate action: water your street trees

Rising temperatures and dry spells are leading to an increasing loss of new street trees, but the nation can do its bit, urge tree groups.

Natalie Stephenson  •  13 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

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

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