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Trees woods and wildlife

Bats

The UK is home to 18 species of bat. The only mammals that can fly, they also sleep upside down, navigate by echolocation and find food and shelter in woods and trees.

Blog

Do bats hibernate in winter? And more bat facts

What do British bats do when winter is coming? Find out more about six UK bat species and what you can do to help them.

Joe Bates  •  03 Dec 2018

Event

Woodland creation and management guided walk at Heartwood Forest

Discover the story of Heartwood Forest from beginning to now, 18 years since we started planting and restoring this thriving woodland.

Sat 11 Jul 2026  •  Heartwood Forest, Sandridge

Blog

30 baby names inspired by trees and woods

Looking for a tree-themed baby name to inspire a love for nature? Discover our favourite tree names for girls and boys, plus gender-neutral options.

Danielle Wesley  •  09 Apr 2024

Trees woods and wildlife

Why bats need woods and trees

The UK is home to 18 species of bats, all of which are protected by law. This protection extends to their breeding and resting places. Hedgerows, tree lines and watercourses are important to the roosting, foraging and navigation needs of bats.   

Practical guidance

Tree species handbook

Our guide to choosing the best tree species when creating new woodland, with profiles of 50 tree and shrub species and 18 woodland communities.

PDF  (13.70 MB)

Blog

British trees and shrubs to plant: 14 native garden trees

British trees pack a big punch in your garden. Make space for one or two you’ll have year-round interest and be supporting wildlife too. Here's our top 14 native trees to plant in your garden.

Helen Keating  •  08 Nov 2021

Press centre

11 weird and wonderful wildlife of our rainforests

From a stinky fish-smelling lichen to one which looks like a dragon’s skin, to the world’s largest slug with the strangest mating ritual – the weird and wonderful wildlife of our rainforests.

Blog

10 best trees to attract birds and other wildlife

Native trees offer birds and other animals vital food and shelter all year round. Boost biodiversity with our top 10 trees suited to small gardens and larger spaces.

Charlie Mellor  •  02 May 2023

Blog

10 ways to help wildlife in spring

We can all make a difference for wildlife this season, from a single simple action to an ongoing commitment, at home or further afield. Read our ten top tips.

Charlie Mellor  •  01 Mar 2023

Blog

11 waterfall walks to visit in our woods

From gently tumbling streams to powerful cascades, waterfalls are mesmerising. Check out the best waterfall walks in and around our woods across the UK.

Charlie Mellor  •  15 Jan 2021

Press centre

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.

Blog

Farm diversification: ideas, grants and examples

In these days of pressurised farm incomes, trees and woods may offer a number of ways to help diversify farm income streams and bring cost savings too.

John Tucker  •  23 Jan 2018

Press centre

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.

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Tanio Arloesedd: her cadwraeth

Poeni am gadwraeth? Rydym yn chwilio am syniadau disgleiriaf y DU gan feddyliau ifanc.

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Membership terms and conditions

When you become a member of the Woodland Trust, you accept the terms and conditions set out here.

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.

Terms and conditions

Website terms and conditions

Website terms and conditions

About us

Reconnecting Grantham to its historic landscape

We've worked with the National Trust, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, to link Londonthorpe Woods and Bellmount, the eastern part of the Belton House estate. The project has united accessible green space on the edge of Grantham to help more people experience nature on their doorstep.

Press centre

High Alert installation takes public art into the woods

The Woodland Trust Northern Ireland is hosting a public art exhibition by Rob Hilken at three of its sites in August and September.

Press centre

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

Press centre

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.

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Apêl Coed Brynau, Castell-nedd

Rydyn ni gam ar y blaen i adfer coetir hynafol a gwerthfawr Fferm Brynau. Erbyn hyn, mae gennym ni gyfle i fwy na dyblu maint y safle hwn. Helpwch ni i brynu Cefn Morfudd ac ehangu’r hafan dawel hon ar gyfer bywyd gwyllt brodorol.

Trees woods and wildlife

Arkaig ospreys: your questions answered

We answer your questions about our Loch Arkaig ospreys, the nest cameras and their forest home.

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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.

Blog

SSSI definition: what is it and what does it mean for conservation and development?

A Site of Special Scientific Interest is a formal conservation designation. Learn how they are determined, why we have them and where to see them in the UK.

Laura Cottam  •  01 Mar 2019

Plant trees

East Anglia tree giveaway: terms and conditions

East Anglia tree giveaway: terms and conditions

Plant trees

South West tree giveaway: terms and conditions

South West tree giveaway: terms and conditions

Plant trees

Leicestershire tree giveaway: terms and conditions

Leicestershire tree giveaway: terms and conditions

About us

Our ambassadors

Our ambassadors help us stand up for trees. Find out all about them.

Privacy policy

Supporters – children and young people

This is our privacy policy made especially for children and young people. If you’re under 12, it’s a good idea to read this with a parent, carer or another adult you trust. 

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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

Oak, Turkey

A pretender to the throne, the Turkey oak was introduced to the UK in the 1700s and is now impacting our native oak populations. It’s less valuable to wildlife, but much faster growing and a host of the knopper oak gall wasp.

Trees woods and wildlife

Pine marten reintroduction: how we're helping and where to find them

Once persecuted to extinction, find out how we're helping pine martens make a welcome return to the UK's woods.

Support us

Brynau Farm appeal, Neath

We’re helping the incredible ancient woodland at Brynau Farm to flourish, and we now have the chance to more than double the size of this site. Help us secure Cefn Morfudd to create a peaceful oasis for native wildlife. 

About us

Our trustees

We, like every other UK charity, are governed by a group of trustees who make up the Board. Learn more about them and their work with the Trust.

Press centre

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.