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Trees woods and wildlife

Blackcap

Named after the male’s signature black cap, this little bird arrives in the UK each spring, bringing with it the sweet sound of its beautiful song.

Trees woods and wildlife

Oyster mushroom

Carnivorous and oyster-like in appearance, these large, fleshy mushrooms are common throughout the UK's woodlands. They have a signature fan-shaped cap and are edible with a slight odour similar to aniseed.

Trees woods and wildlife

Penny bun

Weighty, fat and delicious with a cap like a crusty, well-baked bun. Penny buns, or ceps, are prized for their taste and benefits to woodland, tree and human health.

Trees woods and wildlife

Wood blewit

Pastel-toned and edible with a magical twist. Wood blewit has a blue to violet-tinged cap and gills when young, with pale pink spores. It sometimes grows in circles called ‘fairy rings’, which can appear overnight and were once thought to indicate that magic was at work.

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Resources and activities for schools

All of our KS1, KS2 and KS3 resources can be found in Tree Tools for Schools – our online learning hub. Tried and tested by teachers, these activities include tree planting, wildlife identification, nature crafts and lots more.

Press centre

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.

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What is a Root Protection Area and what does it mean?

Healthy and adequate rooting space is essential for trees to thrive. How does a root protection area help, how is it calculated and who needs to use it?

Emma Gilmartin  •  06 Apr 2021

Trees woods and wildlife

Deathcap

Silent assassin and killer of kings. The deathcap has been used as a murder weapon for millennia.

Trees woods and wildlife

Oakbug milkcap

Stinky and unimpressive. Oakbug milkcap is a dull-looking fungus that is easily missed in woodland among its more spectacular cousins. It is edible, though is not to everyone’s taste, and is said to have an oily smell, similar to bed bugs. Yum.

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Poisonous mushrooms: 8 most dangerous UK mushrooms

Your guide to 8 of the most poisonous mushrooms in the UK, including the terrifyingly named deathcap, destroying angel and funeral bell. Find out where they grow, how to identify them and why you should steer clear!

Hanako Shimada  •  19 Feb 2025

Trees woods and wildlife

Fly agaric

Famous, enchanting and highly toxic. Fly agaric is the home of fairies and magical creatures and a lover of birch woodland.

Trees woods and wildlife

Brown roll-rim

The brown roll-rim might look innocent enough, but it’s a deadly fungus of birch woodland.

Trees woods and wildlife

Common inkcap

Sticky and useful, inkcaps were used as a source of ink for important documents to guard against forgeries.

Trees woods and wildlife

Porcelain fungus

A glistening white, translucent beauty which fights off its rivals with its own fungicide. It is associated with beech trees and is edible – but only once the off-putting mucus is washed off.

Trees woods and wildlife

Charcoal burner

Crumbly, tasty and ruddy, the charcoal burner is a favourite with chefs.

Practical guidance

Practical guidance on restoring your ancient woodland

An introductory summary of training modules by the Woodland Trust for restoring ancient woodland.

PDF  (582 KB)

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Foraging in October: which wild mushrooms can you eat?

Explore the world of foraging with these top wild fungi picking and cooking tips. Here are five edible fungi that are easy to identify.

Helen Keating  •  29 Oct 2018

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How to pay in funds raised

Finished your fundraising and ready to send in what you've raised? Find out how to get it to us.

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Types of mushroom in the UK: common identification guide

Mushrooms (or toadstools) is a term given to the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting bodies that certain fungi produce. Here are nine common mushrooms that you may come across.

Helen Keating  •  31 Aug 2017

Trees woods and wildlife

Stinkhorn

Pungent and a little indecent, some Victorians were so embarrassed by these fungi that they would attack them with cudgels lest any impressionable young ladies might see them.

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Collect Nectar points with Woodland Trust membership

Collect up to 20,000 Nectar points when you join the Woodland Trust. And if you're already a member, you can also get bonus points when you buy woodland products at Sainsbury's. Link up your membership to start collecting.  

Trees woods and wildlife

Morel

Highly prized and easily recognised, the morel is a favourite edible mushroom. It has a strong, nutty flavour and a pleasant, earthy smell and grows in a variety of habitats, including well-drained woodland. But beware, it is poisonous when raw.

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How to attract bullfinches to your garden

Have you always wanted to see a bullfinch in your garden? Learn how to increase your chances of attracting these beautiful but shy birds.

James Martin  •  18 Feb 2020

Trees woods and wildlife

Blue tit

The blue tit might be famed for its bright, bold plumage, but it’s much more than just a pretty face. Spot it performing acrobatic displays while on the hunt for juicy caterpillars.

Trees woods and wildlife

Shaggy parasol

Elegant and shabby-chic. Good to eat – unless you’re one of the one in 25 people whose stomach can’t tolerate it.

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Complete our school survey

Teacher feedback helps us improve our resources and projects for schools, so tell us what you think.

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Suzie Harvey - volunteer Tree Charter social media champion

Find out more about Suzie's volunteering and why she was nominated for an award.

00:02:39

Press centre

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.

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Fundraising FAQs

Advice on fundraising for the Woodland Trust, getting your money to us, and on how we spend your money.

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Nectar terms and conditions

When you collect Nectar points with Woodland Trust membership or donate Nectar points to us, you accept the terms and conditions set out here.

Trees woods and wildlife

Chanterelle

Prized ingredient. Forager’s favourite. Succulent and delicate in flavour, chanterelle is used by chefs the world over.

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Our commitment to safeguarding

Keeping everyone safe is our top priority. That's why we follow the highest standards of good practice and have clear policies in place to protect children, young people and vulnerable adults whenever we work together.

Plant trees

Community woods

Want to set up your own community wood? Our advice and guidance will get you started, from funding to planning for the future.

Trees woods and wildlife

Scarlet elf cup

Mystical and cheery, the scarlet elf cup grows on decaying sticks and branches in damp spots and beneath leaf litter on the woodland floor. Their bright pops of colour brighten up even the darkest winter day.

Trees woods and wildlife

Chaffinch

Colourful characters. The chaffinch is one of our most common birds, but that doesn’t detract from its beauty.

Trees woods and wildlife

Birch, silver

Pretty, pale, a symbol of purity. This common tree, with its silver-white bark, is favoured by gardeners who want to renew and purify their land for coming year.

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Baby bird identification: UK garden birds

Learn to identify garden bird youngsters with our guide to some of the most commonly encountered little'uns.

Amy Lewis  •  15 May 2020

Trees woods and wildlife

Velvet shank

A burst of sunshine in wintry woods, the bright orange of velvet shank fungus is a treat for the eyes on a dark day. Not only are they a cheery sight but they are also edible.

Trees woods and wildlife

Coal tit

The tiniest of tits with dull grey feathers to match its name. The coal tit is a frequent visitor to bird feeders across the UK.

Trees woods and wildlife

European Tree of The Year

The UK Tree of the Year, the Skipinnish Oak, placed 7th in 2025's European Tree of the Year competition.

Trees woods and wildlife

Beefsteak fungus

Sticky and gruesome, beefsteak is a woodland fungus with the disconcerting appearance of a raw cut of meat. 

Press centre

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.

Trees woods and wildlife

Oak bracket

Though it oozes a honey-like liquid, the oak bracket has a few less tantalising names. It lives off the heartwood of living trees as well as on deadwood. Also known as weeping conk and warted oak polypore, they belong to a group called butt rot fungi.

Blog

British finches: identification guide and songs

A number of finches call the UK home, but can you identify them all? Tell your bullfinch from your brambling with our quick guide.

Amy Lewis  •  28 Feb 2019

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Individual fundraising terms and conditions

When you fundraise in aid of the Woodland Trust, you accept the terms and conditions set out here.

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10 common garden birds to spot on your bird feeder

Find out all about the common British garden birds, what to feed them and how to identify them.

Hannah Vickers  •  21 Mar 2019

Trees woods and wildlife

Siskin

Stunning seed eaters with striking plumage. Bright yellow siskins rely on trees such as alder and birch for food.

Trees woods and wildlife

Birch, downy

Soft on the outside. Tough on the inside. On a global scale, this tree, with its fuzzy leaf stalks, shoots and twigs, grows further north than any other broadleaf species.

Trees woods and wildlife

Goldfinch

Seed-eating specialists with a bright red face. Goldfinches are perfectly adapted to access food other birds can’t reach.

Trees woods and wildlife

Green woodpecker

A colourful character with a taste for ants. The laughing cry of the green woodpecker is one of the defining sounds of British woodland.

Trees woods and wildlife

Collared earthstar

The star of the show in broadleaf woodland, this charming fungus would look at home at the bottom of the sea..

Trees woods and wildlife

Snowdrop

One of the first signs of spring. While not native to these shores, these hardy flowers have become a familiar indicator of the shifting seasons and a sure sign that warmer weather is on its way.

Plant trees

Acquiring your community wood

Getting serious about a community wood? Here's our guidance on acquiring one, from buying to leasing.    

Video

First-hand experience for further education students

See how students at Vision West Notts College, Mansfield, linked practical planting skills with written work for their qualifications.

00:02:26

Partnerships

Nectar

Since 2021 we've worked with Nectar, owned by Sainsbury's, to make supporting the Woodland Trust even more rewarding. Nectar customers collect Nectar points when joining as members, get additional points when buying Woodland products in Sainsbury's, and can donate Nectar points to support our work.

Blog

10 eco-friendly New Year's resolutions

Whether you’re making a small commitment or a big change, here are 10 ways to do your bit for nature with an eco-friendly New Year's resolution.

Charlie Mellor  •  23 Dec 2021

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2025's winning projects

Meet the six young finalists whose brilliant projects won our Igniting Innovation conservation challenge.

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Igniting Innovation: conservation challenge

We want to see young minds bring innovative conservation ideas to life. Start your journey to make your mark on climate change and the health of people, woods and wildlife.

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Gift Aid: increasing the power of your donation

Find out what Gift Aid is, how it works, and why it's so important for our charity.

Trees woods and wildlife

Lesser spotted woodpecker

Secretive tree-top dweller. The lesser spotted is our smallest, and rarest, woodpecker. These woodland specialists are one of the UK’s fastest-declining bird species.

Press centre

Survey reveals most Scots unaware Scotland has rainforest

Research indicates most people living in Scotland’s west coast rainforest zone have no idea the threatened habitat is right on their doorstep. But when they find out, the majority are enthusiastic about protecting and expanding it.

Blog

British woodpeckers: identification guide and calls

Learn to tell the difference between Britain's three resident woodpecker species with our quick guide to their appearance, sounds and behaviour.

Amy Lewis  •  30 Sep 2021

Blog

Eco-friendly ways to recycle Christmas waste

Enjoy the festivities while limiting your environmental impact with our tips on how to responsibly dispose of Christmas cards, trees, wrapping and food.

Charlie Mellor  •  24 Dec 2020

Press centre

Success for Wales-wide tree planting project as 300,000 trees find homes

Thousands of households have planted trees through the My Tree, Our Forest project, helping to kickstart a National Forest for Wales.

Trees woods and wildlife

Common earthball

Warty, poisonous, explosive. Common earthball might look like a potato, but it is not for eating.

Trees woods and wildlife

Bullfinch

Shy but striking. Bullfinches bring a brilliant burst of colour to the UK’s woods. The species depends on trees for much of its food, feeding on seeds and buds.

Blog

Collecting and removing firewood: is it legal?

Ever wondered whether you can collect firewood from one of our woods? Find out how to source sustainable wood and why we chop down trees in our woods.

Rachel Hoskins  •  22 Jan 2019

Blog

Nature Detectives activities and resources

Inspire youngsters about trees and woods with our educational materials and Nature Detectives activities for children.

Richard Cooper  •  16 Mar 2020

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Tree disease fighting fund

We're investing in hedgerows and trees to replace ash lost to dieback, and supporting tree nurseries to rely less on stock imported from overseas. But we need your help to do more.

Cookie policy

Cookie policy

Our cookie policy relates to your use of our website and social media pages, for example Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.

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Dedications

Be it a single tree or an acre of woodland with a personalised bench, your dedication will provide a long-lasting tribute that can be visited time after time – and support local wildlife too.

Plant trees

Leicestershire tree giveaway: terms and conditions

Leicestershire tree giveaway: terms and conditions

Protecting trees and woods

Advice and support

If you own or manage an ancient wood, we can guide you through the restoration process.

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Mead appeal, Derbyshire

With your help we can achieve our vision for Derbyshire's Young People's Forest and begin to realise its amazing potential.

Trees woods and wildlife

Great spotted woodpecker

Not afraid to make itself heard. The great spotted woodpecker is equipped with a toolkit that makes it a true woodland specialist. Its strong beak and shock-absorbing skull are perfect for finding food and making its home among the trees.

Protecting trees and woods

Scotland's nature needs help to recover and thrive

We need a robust delivery strategy for biodiversity in Scotland.

Service emails

Service emails

We go to great lengths to ensure that you receive the right communications from us. Learn more about our policy here.

Protecting trees and woods

How to identify ancient woodland on your land

Think your wood could be ancient? Check our tips on what to look for on site and the historical records that could help.

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2024's winning projects

Discover six exciting projects that are helping to protect woods, trees and wildlife as part of our latest Igniting Innovation conservation challenge.

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Squirrel nests: where and how do they build them?

Find out what squirrel nests looks like, where you can spot them and how you can help our native red squirrel.

Charlie Mellor  •  09 Jun 2020

Plant trees

East Anglia tree giveaway: terms and conditions

East Anglia tree giveaway: terms and conditions

About us

Tree guards: research into plastic-free alternatives

Our bold pledge to stop using new single-use plastic tree guards on our land in 2021 put us at the forefront of the movement to eradicate plastic from planting schemes UK-wide. We’re funding research to find viable alternatives and are now moving towards sustainable tree protection in other areas.

Contact us

Contact us

Find out how to get in touch with a member of the Woodland Trust team who can help answer your questions. 

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Smithills Estate appeal, Bolton

The largest English site we've ever acquired is now being restored to its full glory thanks to your donations.

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Terms and conditions

Igniting Innovation: youth conservation challenge. Full terms and conditions. 

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Pepper Wood appeal, Worcestershire

On the northern edge of Pepper Wood is a piece of land waiting to become woodland once more. Thanks to your help it's now ours, doubling the size of one of our most treasured woods.

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Platinum projects

Unlock these special five-point challenges to complete the final stage of the Green Tree Schools Award.

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Have a flutter

Play our raffle to be in with a chance to win a cash prize - all while supporting our work for woods and trees.

Trees woods and wildlife

Eucalyptus

Pleasant smelling, antiseptic, highly flammable. Eucalyptus might be the favourite of koalas in its native Australia, but in the UK it is insects which are drawn to its rich oil.

Blog

Bird song: Blackcap, chiffchaff and more

Find out how to identify the bird song of blackcaps, chiffchaffs and other birds.

Hannah Vickers  •  03 Apr 2020

Protecting trees and woods

The Green Recovery Challenge Fund

In March 2022, we completed a 15-month project with the National Trust to restore damaged woods and conserve neglected ancient trees thanks to funding from Defra.

Video

David Griffith - volunteer Observatree tree health surveyor

Find out more about David's volunteering and why he was nominated for an award.

00:02:41

Plant trees

South West tree giveaway: terms and conditions

South West tree giveaway: terms and conditions

Blog

Starling murmurations: what they are and where to see

They're one of the wonders of the natural world, and they're often right on our doorstep. Find a flock of sky-dancing starlings to watch for yourself this autumn.

Kayleigh Jacobs-Rutter  •  16 Dec 2024

Protecting trees and woods

Creating a neighbourhood plan

Our tips and resources for sourcing and compiling evidence to support your neighbourhood plan.