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Trees woods and wildlife
A-Z of British trees
Explore our simple A-Z identification guide to the trees of Britain, from natives to naturalised and widely planted non-native species. You'll find images, tree descriptions and information on where you're likely to find them.
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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
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Blog
British trees: folklore and mythology
Trees are deeply embedded in our history and folklore. Explore nine British trees with their own magical associations and stories.
Helen Keating • 29 Apr 2021
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Trees woods and wildlife
British trees
Everything you need to know about British trees. From identification, folklore and history to the pests and diseases that threaten them.
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Blog
British caterpillars: how to identify 10 common species
Learn how to identify 10 common British caterpillars, find out what they eat and when to see them.
Charlotte Varela • 11 Aug 2023
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Trees woods and wildlife
British native trees
Native UK trees colonised the land when the glaciers melted after the last Ice Age and before the UK was disconnected from mainland Europe.
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Trees woods and wildlife
How to identify trees
All trees have clues and features that can help with identification. You just need to know what to look out for with our quick guide.
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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.
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Support us
Plant more trees
We're on a mission to grow millions of healthy, native trees across the UK to help protect us from the effects of climate change.
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Blog
Why do we need trees?
Trees are invaluable to us and the environment. Find out why and how you can help protect them.
Jack Taylor • 08 Dec 2017
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Blog
What are the most common trees in the UK?
Ever wondered which trees species are most common in the UK? Check out our top ten.
Laura Cottam • 21 Dec 2018
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Plant trees
Why plant trees?
Whatever your reason for planting, trees have far-reaching benefits for all of us.
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Policy paper
Strong Roots: Growing British Tree Nurseries
The Strong Roots project explored the key barriers to domestic tree production and identified solutions to increase the availability of homegrown trees, with evidence-based recommendations for improved governmental support for the sector.
PDF (5.05 MB)
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Support us
The power of trees - KS3 assembly
Inspire secondary students with this presentation about the incredible way trees benefit people and the planet. This assembly can also support your school's tree-planting activities.
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Blog
Common tree identification: top 10 beginner's trees
Our top ten trees to give you a crash course in common tree identification.
Helen Keating • 26 May 2021
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Visiting woods
British blossom: the ultimate guide
Don't miss nature's spectacular flowering festival as some of the most beautiful trees in Britain burst into bloom. Find out which trees produce the best blossoms and when.
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Video
How trees capture and store carbon
Photosynthesis is made simple as you take a journey into the leaf of a tree with our animation and discover how trees capture and store carbon.
00:02:29
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Blog
The oldest tree in the UK: how long do trees live?
Discover the oldest tree in the UK - and the world - and why ancient trees are so important.
Charlie Mellor • 29 Jan 2024
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Press centre
Lauren Child helps children smile with free trees
Much-loved children’s author Lauren Child has urged schools and community groups across the UK to take advantage of the Woodland Trust’s free trees scheme.
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Press centre
First trees planted as charity tees up to turn abandoned golf course into wildlife haven
School children are set to plant the first of 30,000 trees at Frodsham, Cheshire in an ambitious project to turn fairways into forest and greens into glades.
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Research report
State of the UK's Woods and Trees 2021
This State of the UK’s Woods and Trees report is the first to present important facts and trends focusing predominantly on our native woods and trees.
PDF (27.62 MB)
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Support us
Plant trees with your school
Tree planting is a hands-on way for children to make a real impact on the environment. We’ve already helped schools plant five million trees across the UK; discover how we can help you.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Urban trees and woodland
Underrated heroes, colourful comforts and spaces for people and wildlife. Urban trees and woodland are all the more valuable for their location. They support plants and animals, clean our air and boost wellbeing.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Tackling air pollution with trees
Air pollution can have a serious impact on our health, global climate and biodiversity, but there are ways to reduce it. Discover the role trees have to play.
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Press centre
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.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Identify trees with our Tree ID app
Download our free Tree ID app for Android and iPhone to identify the UK's native and non-native trees. It's an A-Z tree guide in your pocket.
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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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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.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Beech, common
Monumental, majestic, home to rare wildlife. Beech is an enchanting species and known as the queen of British trees. To wander beneath the leafy canopy, its cathedral-like branches spreading upwards, is an awe-inspiring experience.
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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 Sept 2021
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Protecting trees and woods
All-Party Parliamentary Group for Woods and Trees
The APPG meets several times a year to discuss steps to protect, restore and expand woods and trees in a time of climate and nature crises.
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Protecting trees and woods
What urban trees do for us
They green our cities. They clean our air. They fight the effects of climate change. They even increase the value of our houses. Urban woods and trees do so much for people, wildlife and our economy.
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State of UK woods and trees
State of the UK's Woods and Trees 2025
Four years after the groundbreaking State of the UK's Woods and Trees report, the Woodland Trust is once again assessing the health of the UK's woods and trees – revealing the latest evidence and analysis to support the urgent action needed to protect and restore woodlands.
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Blog
Which trees have catkins? And how to tell them apart
Find out what catkins look like, which trees have them, why they grow, and where and when to spot them.
Alex Marshall • 07 Jan 2025
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Press centre
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.
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Press centre
Integrating trees on Scotland’s farms and crofts
Woodland Trust Scotland and the National Farmers Union Scotland have jointly written to the Scottish Government calling for farmers and crofters to be given more support to integrate native trees on their land.
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Press centre
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.
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Blog
Top 10 low maintenance native trees for small gardens
Looking for low budget, low maintenance small garden ideas? Get incredible bang for your buck with a tree! Check our handpicked list of 10 best small trees for small gardens.
Charlie Mellor • 09 Mar 2026
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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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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