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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.

Blog

6 UK woods for stargazing

Escape light pollution and embrace the night sky to enjoy stargazing at a wood near you. Here are our favourite spots to see stars, plus handy stargazing tips.

Chris Britt-Searle  •  09 Feb 2024

Plant trees

Stump Up For Trees: planting one million trees in the Bannau Brycheiniog area

Farmers in the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park show how it's possible to turn marginal land land into profitable assets that deliver for nature.

Plant trees

Trees for landowners and farmers

If you’re looking to plant lots of trees, we have the trees, grants and funding schemes to help.

Blog

11 autumn leaf crafts - simple ideas and activities for kids

Get creative with the kids this autumn. Make your own leaf animal pictures, leaf rubbings, leaf prints and superhero leaf masks.

Danielle Wesley  •  09 Oct 2020

Protecting trees and woods

Thank you for demanding a bold England Tree Strategy

The England Trees Action Plan determines how Government will protect, plant and restore woods and trees for years to come. 

Trees woods and wildlife

Common pipistrelle bat 

Flying mammals that live among us. Common pipistrelles spend the day sleeping in buildings, but rely on trees when they emerge at night.

Trees woods and wildlife

Hedgehog

Sleepy, cute, truly iconic. These prickly critters rely on hedgerows and woodland edges for food and shelter.

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Guidance for fundraisers

Find all the information you need to make sure you're raising money for us legally and safely.

Blog

Alternative charity gifts for Christmas

Our shop offers a huge variety of gifts with something for everyone for Christmas. Here are our top ideas for alternative charity gifts for the festive season.

Charlie Mellor  •  13 Dec 2024

Protecting trees and woods

Protect ancient woodland

One of the UK’s most important wildlife habitats is disappearing before our eyes.

Research report

State of the UK's Woods and Trees 2025 – a summary for England 

A policy summary report for England based on the evidence from the State of UK's Woods and Trees 2025 report.

PDF  (7.02 MB)

Plant trees

Why plant trees?

Whatever your reason for planting, trees have far-reaching benefits for all of us.

Research report

State of the UK's Woods and Trees 2025 – a summary for Wales 

A policy summary report for Wales based on the evidence from the State of UK's Woods and Trees 2025 report.

PDF  (4.15 MB)

Blog

Top 10 green gifts for gardeners

Looking for eco-friendly inspiration for your favourite gardening guru or want to encourage a beginner? From windowsill pots to established veg plots, our green gift guide has got you covered.

Charlie Mellor  •  11 Oct 2024

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.

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First World War Centenary Woods

One hundred years since the outbreak of the First World War, we marked the anniversary with one of our most ambitious planting projects to date. 

Press centre

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.

Blog

Autumn trees for your garden: best native trees for seasonal colour

Our guide to the best UK native trees to plant in your garden for a splash of seasonal colour, from fiery foliage to bright, bold berries.

Helen Keating  •  19 Oct 2020

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Charter for Trees, Woods and People

Discover the ten principles that set out the modern day relationship between people and trees and a vision for a future where we can be stronger together.

Blog

Summer holidays: outdoor activities for kids

Discover fun things to do at home and on days out with our outdoor activity guide for the summer holidays. Spot wildlife, try yoga, compete in the forest Olympics and much more.

Danielle Wesley  •  21 Jul 2022

Research report

State of the UK's Woods and Trees 2025 – a summary for Scotland

A policy summary report for Scotland based on the evidence from the State of UK's Woods and Trees 2025 report.

PDF  (7.04 MB)

Trees woods and wildlife

Why are trees important for biodiversity?

Woodland is home to a wealth of wildlife. If we don't protect what we have left and work to create woodlands of the future, we stand to lose more than just trees.

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1,000 woods appeal

No-one stands up for UK woods and trees like we do. With your help we can do even more to enhance and protect the woodland under our care.

Trees woods and wildlife

Serotine bat 

One of the largest British bats, the serotine has a taste for beetles and other flying insects. Listen for the squeaking sound it makes just before emerging at dusk to hunt.

Video

Growing partnerships for impact

partnership video page

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Blog

9 outdoor Easter activities for families

Get outdoors in the Easter holidays and enjoy our fun nature activities for kids - try nest building, go on a scavenger hunt and nibble on an Easter-themed picnic!

Danielle Wesley  •  04 Apr 2022

Blog

Which birds mate for life? And birds' mating rituals

Find out which birds mate for life and why they do it, plus discover some of the mating rituals they use to attract a long-term partner.

Rachel Hoskins  •  14 Feb 2020

Blog

9 fun ideas for family winter walks

Head out into the fresh air and get inspired with our ideas for winter woodland walks - enjoy spotting wildlife, scavenger hunts, winter picnics and more.

Danielle Wesley  •  14 Dec 2020

Blog

Outdoor Christmas activities for families

Get out into nature this Christmas and enjoy some festive activities with your family on a woodland walk.

Danielle Wesley  •  13 Dec 2021

Research report

State of the UK's Woods and Trees 2025 – a summary for Northern Ireland

A policy summary report for Northern Ireland based on the evidence from the State of UK's Woods and Trees 2025 report.

PDF  (6.28 MB)

Blog

Wildflowers for bees: how to attract bees to your garden

Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. But there are things you can do in your garden to help reverse this trend including increasing food and habitat. Includes our top nine bee-friendly wildflowers to plant in your garden.

Helen Keating  •  18 Mar 2019

Blog

Climate change: facts and actions for kids

Our simple guide will help kids understand climate change, what’s causing it and how it’s affecting the planet. Plus, we'll share some top tips to help kids take action.

Danielle Wesley  •  15 Oct 2021

Blog

7 blossom crafts and activities for kids

Discover fun blossom crafts and activities to enjoy with your children this spring.

Danielle Wesley  •  11 Mar 2022

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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.

Blog

10 camping activities for kids who love wildlife

Discover 10 wildlife-themed activities for kids and families to enjoy on a camping trip.

Danielle Wesley  •  02 Aug 2023

Protecting trees and woods

Priorities for local councils in Northern Ireland

Ask candidates in Northern Ireland to support trees and woods where you live using our list of priorities.

Trees woods and wildlife

Wren

Plump, short and loud-mouthed, the wren is one of our most common breeding birds. Though it’s small in size, it makes up for it with its powerful song.

Trees woods and wildlife

Nightjar

Mysterious and elusive, the nightjar is one of our most intriguing birds. A summer visitor with bark-like plumage, it can be incredibly difficult to spot.

Trees woods and wildlife

Hazel

Catkins resembling lambs tails, and late-summer nuts. Hazel is one of the most useful trees for its bendy stems and as a conservation saviour. And its nuts are loved by people, squirrels and hazel dormice.

Trees woods and wildlife

Lesser horseshoe bat

Plum-sized and pink-faced, the lesser horseshoe bat is one of the smallest bats in the UK.  Look out for them at dusk in woodland, but not in winter when they hibernate underground in caves and tunnels.

Plant trees

How to care for your trees

Once your trees are in the ground it’s important to care for them to help them thrive, particularly in the first few years.

Press centre

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.

Blog

5 spring flower crafts for kids

Take a look at 5 fantastic spring flower crafts that kids will love, including tissue paper bluebells and finger-painted blossom.

Hannah Vickers  •  19 May 2021

About us

Manifesto for the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections

Find out all about the Woodland Trust's manifesto for the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections.

Press centre

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

Press centre

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. 

Trees woods and wildlife

Cypress, Lawson

Tall ornamental with feathery foliage. One of the UK’s most popular garden conifers, Lawson cypress has rot-resistant wood which is popular in Japan for coffins and shrines.

Trees woods and wildlife

Otter

An elusive carnivore well-suited to land and water. With sweet-smelling spraint and a playful nature, otters are making a comeback. Find out what they eat, where they live and how to spot them.

Blog

What is habitat fragmentation and what does it mean for our wildlife?

Did you know that habitat fragmentation is one of the greatest threats to wildlife globally? Find out what it means and how it affects UK species like the dormouse.

James Martin  •  16 Aug 2018

Trees woods and wildlife

Yew

Ancient, morbid, toxic. The yew is one of the longest-lived native species in Europe. This has made it a symbol of death and doom, but it provides food and shelter for woodland animals.

Plant trees

MOREhedges application form

Apply for MOREhedges

Press centre

Loch Arkaig osprey chicks bound for Spain as Dad’s catch plummets

Two young ospreys from a nest in Lochaber have been taken into a translocation programme after their father’s plummeting fish catch began to raise concern.

Press centre

Inspiring ‘cultural trees’ shortlisted for Tree of the Year 2025

From a cedar that The Beatles climbed to an oak from a Virginia Woolf poem, discover the cultural trees shortlisted for Tree of the Year 2025.

Plant trees

Woodland Carbon

Get paid for planting new woodland for areas of over 5 hectares with our Woodland Carbon scheme. Your new woodland will be assessed for its carbon-locking potential and you'll be paid in Woodland Carbon Units with associated costs covered, too.

Trees woods and wildlife

Robin

Feisty. Iconic. A Christmas card favourite and a gardener’s best friend. It’s no wonder this fiery little fella is one of Britain’s most-loved birds, frequenting the UK’s gardens in search of worms.

Research briefing

Tree leaves as supplementary feed for ruminant livestock

We look at the value of different species of tree leaves as mineral supplements for livestock. Willow in particular is identified as a potentially valuable source of cobalt and zinc.

PDF  (161 KB)

Blog

10 easy butterfly crafts for kids

Discover 10 colourful butterfly crafts for kids, from simple symmetry paintings to fun mosaic art.

Danielle Wesley  •  03 Jul 2023

Support us

The Man Who Planted Trees - KS2 assembly

Inspire your pupils with this thought-provoking tale that shows how one person's actions can make a lasting difference. This assembly can also support your school's tree-planting activities.

Blog

Top 10 nature gifts for kids

Nurture a love of nature from an early age with our specially selected range of gifts. From tots to teens, messy to mindful, indoors or out, our green gift guide has something for all the kids on your list.

Charlie Mellor  •  02 Dec 2024

Trees woods and wildlife

Trees and woods: at the heart of nature recovery

Healthy woods and trees are the beating heart of abundant, nature-rich habitats. Our new reports show the central role they must play in nature's recovery.

Trees woods and wildlife

Hard fern

An evergreen beauty with not one, but two types of frond. Its medicinal qualities have helped treat ailments for centuries, while its leaves have been used to subdue hunger and thirst.

Blog

7 ways for kids to help garden wildlife

Read our top tips on how kids can help support garden wildlife, from planting trees to making a bug hotel.

Danielle Wesley  •  18 Aug 2021

Trees woods and wildlife

Chaffinch

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

Protecting trees and woods

Creating a neighbourhood plan

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

Press centre

Biggest ever tree planting year for fast-expanding Northern Forest

More than 1.9 million trees – enough to fill over 1,200 football pitches – were planted across the Northern Forest in the last year.

Protecting trees and woods

Cutting down trees: law and legislation

Whether you want to fell a tree or protect one from felling, protection and preservation laws can be complex. Our guide explains best practice and alternatives.

Support us

Trees for Tom

Captain Sir Tom Moore united and inspired the nation. By planting trees with the Trust, his family honoured his love of nature and helped create a brighter future. And you paid tribute by donating.

Trees woods and wildlife

Primrose

Primroses are a cheerful sign of spring. They are one of the first woodland blooms and an important nectar source for butterflies. Look out for their friendly yellow in woodland clearings.

Policy paper

Trees and woods: at the heart of nature recovery in Northern Ireland

This report outlines the critical role that native natural and semi-natural woods and trees must play in restoring nature, and how the government and local authorities can ensure nature’s recovery is embedded in local plans.

PDF  (2.58 MB)

Plant trees

MOREwoods application form

Apply for MOREwoods

Practical guidance

Tree planting for free range poultry farms

Incorporating trees into free range poultry farms can improve the welfare of birds and their performance. We give advice on planting design and maintenance.

PDF  (650 KB)

Press centre

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%.

Plant trees

MOREhedges makes a difference for Wiltshire farmer

Ben Butler is passionate about doing his bit for the environment while running a successful farm. See how our MOREhedges scheme has helped on both fronts.

Policy paper

Trees and woods: at the heart of nature recovery in Scotland

This report shows the central role that native woods and trees must play in restoring nature in Scotland, and how the government and local authorities can help.

PDF  (3.03 MB)

Plant trees

Acquiring your community wood

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

Protecting trees and woods

Street tree heroes: standing up for street trees

People across the UK are fighting for their street trees. They're planting the street trees of the future, rallying the support of their communities and influencing local planning policies.

Case study

Improving site access for sustainable woodland management

A case study from Fingle Woods demonstrating the benefits of improving site access for harvesting and extracting timber in a sustainable and cost-effective way.

PDF  (739 KB)