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Blog

Bird of prey calls and identification

Learn how to identify the UK's birds of prey with our quick guide to their calls, key features and likely hangouts. 

Amy Lewis  •  10 Sep 2021

Blog

House mouse or field mouse? Easy guide to types of UK mice, voles, rats and shrews

Are you curious about what mouse or vole you saw in your garden or out on a walk? Or did your cat bring one in and you wondered what it was? Here's a quick guide to the more common mice, voles, rats and shrews of the UK.

Helen Keating  •  28 Mar 2022

Trees woods and wildlife

Whitebeam, Arran

Rare, rugged, isolated. Arran whitebeam is one of the rarest and most endangered trees in the world. It is a hybrid of rowan and rock whitebeam which has stayed on the Isle of Arran since the last glaciers were formed.

About us

Northern Ireland

We’re helping wildlife thrive in the beautiful Faughan Valley. We’re campaigning to protect Northern Ireland’s last remnants of ancient woodland. And we look after 50 woods across the north of the Emerald Isle.

Support us

Meet some of our volunteers

Find out more about the roles of some of our volunteer award winners and nominees from the last few years.

Support us

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.

Trees woods and wildlife

Horse chestnut

Spiky cases, gleaming seeds, celebrated by children. Horse chestnuts, with their mahogany-bright conkers, are the very essence of autumn.

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

Lily-of-the-valley

Charming, sweetly scented and highly poisonous, lily-of-the-valley is a romantic woodland stunner.

Trees woods and wildlife

Chicken of the woods

Bright, bold and soft to the touch, chicken of the woods is easy to spot.

Trees woods and wildlife

Tree of the Year 2024

You voted in your thousands to help us crown this year's Tree of the Year and now we have our winner!

Video

Stornoway Football Club 

See how free tree packs have helped create valuable shelter for a local football club on the Isle of Lewis.

00:02:37

Research report

The economic benefits of woodland

A report setting out the case for the economic benefits of woodland, from flood mitigation to health and wellbeing, thought to be worth over £270 billion.

PDF  (2.48 MB)

Research report

The state of Scotland’s rainforest

A research report by the Atlantic Woodland Alliance reviewing the latest evidence on the condition of and threats to Scotland’s temperate rainforest woodlands.

PDF  (3.86 MB)

Blog

Signs of summer in nature

Discover the signs of the changing seasons – look for trees in full leaf, summer flowers blooming, butterflies, bats, grasshoppers and more.

Danielle Wesley  •  01 Jun 2019

Video

The state of Wales’ rainforests

Discover the beauty of our rainforests and why the Alliance for Wales’ Rainforests is asking the Welsh government to do more to protect them.

00:02:05

Research report

Impacts of nearby development on ancient woodland

A review of the research and evidence available that demonstrates the impacts of nearby development on the ecology of ancient woodland.

PDF  (640 KB)

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.

Journal

Wood Wise – seeds of hope

The autumn 2016 issue of Wood Wise explores genetic diversity in native trees and shrubs, and how to safeguard genetic resources for the future.

PDF  (1.83 MB)

Trees woods and wildlife

Orange-tip

Subtle, delicate and well-disguised – that is until the male flashes a splash of bright orange. Orange-tips are a butterfly of grassland and woodland edges.

Blog

First signs of autumn

Discover when autumn starts and the signs of the season – look for leaves changing colour, autumn fruits and seeds, migrating birds, ivy flowering and incredible fungi.

Danielle Wesley  •  31 Aug 2019

Journal

Wood Wise – secrets of the soil

The spring 2016 issue of Wood Wise delves into woodland soil, its function, its species, the threats to its health, and ways to manage it for the future.

PDF  (1.39 MB)

Plant trees

Types of woodland management

A detailed look at how and when to carry out the techniques of coppicing, pollarding, formative pruning and thinning.

Research report

Impacts of nearby development on ancient woodland - addendum

A review of further work published since the release of the 2008 Woodland Trust report on the impacts of nearby development on the ecology of ancient woodland.

PDF  (8.52 MB)

Press centre

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.

Research report

The role of trees outside woods - their ecological and landscape benefits

A report on the many ecological and landscape benefits offered by copses, hedgerows, lone trees and orchards in the UK, and why their protection is so important.

PDF  (1.36 MB)

Practical guidance

The role of trees in arable farming

Native trees and hedges on arable farms can improve productivity and landscape resilience, increase product diversity, and provide environmental value.

PDF  (2.35 MB)

Case study

Benefits of tree shelter for livestock farming

Livestock farmers explain the benefits of having trees in their sheep and beef farming systems, such as providing shelter, browsing and field boundaries.

PDF  (150 KB)

Support us

Couldoran appeal, West Highlands

With your support, we're working to transform a large chunk of land right next door to Ben Shieldaig into a thriving mountain haven for rare and iconic wildlife such as the golden eagle, pine marten, red squirrel and otter.

Research report

The current state of ancient woodland restoration

A report drawing together evidence on the progress and challenges associated with restoring damaged ancient woodlands across the UK.

PDF  (1.76 MB)

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)

Research report

Evaluating the use and benefits of trees on dairy farms

A research report on how tree planting supports dairy farms and animal welfare through mitigating pollution runoff, protecting water and providing shelter.

PDF  (1.19 MB)

Protecting trees and woods

Kent quarry extension is one of the biggest threats of the 21st century

Having destroyed 32ha of ancient wood in 2013, new quarry plans threaten at least another 50ha. 

About us

Where do our trees come from?

With increasing numbers of tree pests and diseases in the UK, it's important we have confidence in the trees we plant. Find out more about how our trees are sourced and grown.

Blog

Four examples of how UK wildlife camouflages

Find out how animals in the UK use camouflage to hide in plain sight. In this blog, we explore four types of camouflage and why it is important for animals.

Julia Lock  •  23 May 2022

Blog

Where to see red squirrels: 7 woods for wildlife watching

Wondering where to see red squirrels in the UK? Here are seven of the best woods to spot these rare mammals - as well as lots of other wildlife!

Chris Britt-Searle  •  05 Aug 2024

Research report

The benefits to people of trees outside woods

A research report on the ecosystem services, natural capital and other benefits trees outside woods provide, whether cultural, environmental or economic.

PDF  (1.48 MB)

Research report

The benefits of integrating trees on arable farms

A research report on how tree planting supports farm production through reduced soil erosion, water conservation and climate change resilience.

PDF  (1.27 MB)

About us

Lost Woods of the Low Weald and Downs

We're bringing life back to neglected and fragmented ancient woods in Sussex to boost biodiversity and revitalise woodland skills.

Plant trees

How to plant a tree

Follow our guide to three of the most successful ways to plant.

Blog

Types of bee in the UK: how to tell the difference

From fluffy bumblebees to pint-sized mining bees, we take a look at the key characteristics of some of our most common species.

Charlotte Varela  •  31 Jul 2023

Video

Meet the people behind our work: Friends of Belvoir Wood

Hard graft. Passionate people. Expertise and skill. There's more to our woods than just trees. See for yourself what makes Friends of Belvoir Wood so special, and what it takes to keep it that way.

00:02:08

Event

Month of Remembrance walk at Langley Vale Wood

Join us at Langley Vale Wood - our First World War Centenary Wood for England - for a guided walk during the Month of Remembrance.

Sun 02 Nov 2025  •  Langley Vale Wood, Langley Vale

Research report

The benefits of integrating trees on livestock farms

A research report on how tree planting supports livestock farms and animal welfare by improving water quality, preventing soil erosion and providing shelter.

PDF  (9.10 MB)

Visiting woods

Take a virtual tour of our woods

You don't have to travel to experience the incredible sights and sounds of some of our most beautiful woods. Our 360 tours let you explore the history and natural spectacles of these special places from home.

Blog

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

Press centre

Hundreds of trees planted by Kate Humble with support from Welsh Woodland Trust

Kate Humble has planted hundreds of trees on her property with support from Coed Cadw, the Woodland Trust in Wales.

Press centre

Skipinnish Oak crowned UK Tree of the Year 2024

A centuries-old oak nestled in the heart of Lochaber, Scotland, has been dubbed ‘Tree of the Year’ in the Woodland Trust’s prestigious competition.

Press centre

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.

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.

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.

Trees woods and wildlife

Rowan

Bane of witches, diviner of the future and producer of jam, rowan is an elegant tree with a mystical history. Its leaves and berries are a favourite for wildlife in woods and towns alike.

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.

Trees woods and wildlife

Walnut

Food of the gods, medicine for the people. Walnut was first introduced by the Romans who, like much of our native wildlife, valued its nuts.

Plant trees

Tree planting advice

Thinking of planting trees, but need some help? Explore advice on choosing the right tree species, location, how to plant and aftercare.

Protecting trees and woods

Keep living legends alive

Most of our oldest trees are not legally protected. We're urging governments across the UK to change that. 

Practical guidance

Benefits of woods and trees for local authorities

This document provides guidance and advice for local government to better achieve its environmental ambitions.

PDF  (549 KB)

Blog

Types of moss in the UK: what they are and where to find them

Moss is marvellous! Find out why and see some common species to spot.

Kate Lewthwaite  •  30 Jul 2018

Support us

Improve wellbeing in school

Use the power of nature to boost the health of your students.

Trees woods and wildlife

Ash dieback

Ash dieback will kill around 80% of ash trees across the UK. At a cost of billions, the effects will be staggering. It will change the landscape forever and threaten many species which rely on ash.

Practical guidance

The role of trees in sheep farming

Planting trees for shelter can boost production and improve animal health and welfare. This guide provides practical guidance on integrating trees on sheep farms.

PDF  (15.85 MB)

Trees woods and wildlife

Cherry, wild

Beautiful blossom and a bounty of bright red fruits. Wild cherry , one of the prettiest native trees, is relished by gardeners and wildlife.

Blog

How we take care of ancient and veteran trees

Protecting ancient trees is one of our top priorities. Discover how we design and manage our woods around them and how you can help.

Naomi Tilley  •  26 Sep 2022

Video

Clearing Runtington Wood of invasive plants

Elsa Godfrey, owner of Runtington Wood in Sussex, explains the steps she has taken to clear her ancient woodland of rhododendron with the help of volunteers and the Woodland Trust.

00:02:40

Plant trees

Why plant trees?

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

Practical guidance

The role of trees in free range poultry farming

Trees provide cover, shelter and shade, encouraging poultry to range and exhibit natural behaviours. This in turn improves bird health, welfare and production.

PDF  (7.77 MB)

Press centre

Farmers share tales of 'living legends' and nature on their land

From an ancient oak which survived a hit from a Lancaster Bomber in World War Two to a 150-year-old pear tree – classically taken portraits tell a story of how farmers are helping to protect ancient and veteran trees.

Protecting trees and woods

Thermal imaging of urban trees in Cardiff

With average temperatures and heatwaves getting more intense, we we commissioned Ti Thermal Imaging Ltd to reveal how trees can help us cope.

Policy paper

The Woodland Trust's approach to managing its estate

The Woodland Trust owns more than 1,000 woods across the UK. This is how we manage them for people and wildlife in the face of climate change and other threats.

PDF  (1.21 MB)

Support us

Snaizeholme: your questions answered

Our acquisition of Snaizeholme sparked the imagination and interest of thousands of Woodland Trust members and supporters who donated to the appeal and contacted us with questions. Here we answer some of the most common queries.

Trees woods and wildlife

Silver-washed fritillary

These flashy butterflies are strong fliers with a flair for the dramatic. Spot the silver-washed fritillary charging through the air along woodland rides in search of a mate, or the caterpillars munching on their favourite flowers: violets.

Protecting trees and woods

Protect ancient woodland

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

Press centre

How can we fund new woodland against a backdrop of cuts?

A 41% cut to anything is a big deal. But when it amounts to £32,000,000, it’s a massive deal. That’s the scale of the cut that the 2024-25 Scottish Budget imposes on woodland grants.

Practical guidance

Ancient woodland restoration - recovery of the wider ecosystem

Practical guidance on restoring the wider woodland ecosystem, transforming plantations on ancient woodland sites (PAWS) through gradual and more rapid approaches, managing young stands, and operational considerations and constraints.

PDF  (4.76 MB)

Protecting trees and woods

Restoring ancient woodland

Ancient woodland restoration encourages these precious habitats to recover and reverse years of decline. Find out why it's important and what's involved.

Plant trees

MOREwoods site plan guide

For us to consider your project we need an initial indication of the area(s) you are considering planting.

Trees woods and wildlife

Plum, cherry

Street tree, early spring flowerer and ancestor of the domestic plum. Cherry plum is one of the first trees to blossom in the UK.

Trees woods and wildlife

Whitebeam, rock

Rugged yet charming, rock whitebeam clings to areas of rocky woodland and fissures in limestone cliffs. A parent species of the rarer Arran whitebeam, the rock whitebeam is becoming increasingly hard to find.

Plant trees

MOREhedges site plan guide

For us to consider your project we need an initial indication of the area(s) where you are considering planting hedgerows.

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.

About us

Croft Woodlands

Growing trees in the north and west of Scotland presents both unique challenges and benefits. Our Croft Woodlands advisory team helps crofters, smallholders and common grazings to create and manage woodlands that will flourish.

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.

Support us

Become a member

There's no better way to protect the trees we all need than by becoming a member of the Woodland Trust.

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.

Policy paper

Funding nature recovery in England

Creating a healthy, resilient natural environment will require billions of pounds of investment. We outline what needs to happen to fund nature recovery in England.

PDF  (1.64 MB)

Trees woods and wildlife

Cedar

Stately, aromatic, gigantic. Find out more about one of the most majestic of all planted trees.

Trees woods and wildlife

Alder buckthorn

A reputation for causing a bang. Alder buckthorn is used to make gunpowder, pigments and dyes. It’s a beloved plant of the brimstone butterfly.

Support us

Get involved

You can help in lots of ways, indoors and out. Make a difference for woods and trees, now and for the future.

Protecting trees and woods

Our work with The Climate Coalition

We're an active member of The Climate Coalition, a group of over 100 organisations dedicated to limiting the impact of climate change on the people, places and life we love.

About us

Saving Scotland's rainforest

We're working to ensure Scotland’s rainforests thrive once again. As part of the Alliance for Scotland’s Rainforest, we're on a mission to protect and enhance this globally important habitat for the special wildlife that depends upon it.

State of UK woods and trees

State of UK woods and trees

The first-ever report that focuses on the UK's native woods and trees. It outlines their current extent, condition and wildlife value, benefits and threats.

Blog

12 rare wild flowers in the UK's woods

Woodlands are home to some of the UK's rarest wild flowers. From parasitic plants to alluring orchids, discover 12 rare woodland flowers and what makes them so uncommon.

Charlotte Varela  •  13 May 2025

Trees woods and wildlife

Cypress, Leyland

At the centre of many neighbour wars, Leyland cypress can reach great heights very quickly. It’s one of the fastest growing conifers and often towers over houses and gardens.

Press centre

Spot spring’s vital signs and help the Woodland Trust record the impact of climate change on nature

The Woodland Trust is urging people to get outside and spot vital signs of spring to help monitor potentially “disastrous” effects of climate change on nature, before its campaign ends on Easter Monday.

Support us

Donate your Nectar points

Fight climate change with 5,000 points to lock up around a tonne of carbon, or help grow the woods of the future with 2,000 to plant a tree.

Support us

Ben Shieldaig appeal, West Highlands

This breathtaking slice of Caledonian pine forest – part of Scotland's rainforest and our first ever mountain – now has a bright future.

Support us

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. 

Trees woods and wildlife

Beefsteak fungus

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

Trees woods and wildlife

Arkaig ospreys: behind the scenes of a nest camera in the Scottish Highlands

No wi-fi, no plug sockets, no film crew. Meet the people behind the camera and explore the set of the UK's most remote family drama.

Trees woods and wildlife

Alder

Swamp-dweller, water-lover. The wood of this tough tree doesn’t rot when waterlogged, instead turning stronger and harder.

About us

The Northern Forest

The North of England has significantly less woodland cover than the rest of the country, but not for much longer. With our partners we are planting 50 million trees and transforming the landscape of northern England.

Video

Celebrating 20 years of 'Woods on Your Doorstep'

20 years of "Woods on Your Doorstep". Creating woodlands within walking distance of cities, towns, and villages across Northern Ireland. Find out how these natural spaces have benefitted the community.

00:01:10

Protecting trees and woods

How to set up a local group and meeting

A group of passionate, like-minded people could help others understand the value of woods and trees and shape local policy.

Press centre

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.

Trees woods and wildlife

Willow, white

Silvery leaved, waterside and fenland dweller. White willow feeds and shelters native wildlife and has been a source of natural remedies for centuries.

Trees woods and wildlife

Loch Arkaig osprey cam

Follow the story of our Loch Arkaig ospreys, live from the heart of an ancient Caledonian pine forest. 

Video

Abi Reader, dairy farmer in Vale of Glamorgan

Abi explains the farm's experimental short rotation coppice system with a high protein arable crop between rows of native trees. The aim is to meet a universal goal: food production and a sustainable planet.

00:03:06

Protecting trees and woods

Threats to woods and trees

Threats to woodland, wildlife and the wider environment are growing. Our trees and woods face a challenging combination of pressures, from humans, pests and diseases.

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.

Protecting trees and woods

The Environment Act 2021

The story of how thousands of people shaped a new law that will determine how the natural world is governed for years to come.

Support us

Woodland Trust youth council

Meet the Woodland Trust youth council: a dedicated team of brilliant young volunteers aged 16-25 who are helping shape the future of woods and trees.

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.

Trees woods and wildlife

Willow, osier

Strong, neat and bendy, osier willow is the best of the best for basket weaving. It’s not only a source of food and shelter for native wildlife, it can even decontaminate soils it is planted on!

Trees woods and wildlife

Red deer

The majestic monarch of the glen. Our largest land mammal, red deer, are the royalty of UK woodland. 

Trees woods and wildlife

Poplar, black

Imposing, elegant, rare. The black poplar was once a staple of Britain’s landscape but these days, the trees are few and far between.

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.

Video

Dave Gurnett, mid Wales partner of the Woodland Trust

Dave Gurnett explains how the Woodland Trust has been a good partner and how working with a trusted individual on the ground is important to achieve conservation and nature recovery at scale.

00:01:17

Trees woods and wildlife

Willow, crack

Scruffy and loud, the crack willow is named after its habit of splitting with cracks and fissures, and how noisy its branches are when they break. It’s one of the largest willows and its leaves are popular with moth caterpillars.

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

Apple

Tart, tangy and crisp. The fruit of the apple tree is a firm favourite in the UK. And although they’re not native, we’ve been breeding them for centuries as eaters, cookers and to make cider.

Trees woods and wildlife

Willow, bay

Small but pretty, the bay willow is named after its smell and misleading appearance. It’s a lover of damp conditions, and feeder of pollinators and caterpillars.

Trees woods and wildlife

Pine marten

Shy, curious and playful. The pine marten is a stealthy, acrobatic hunter that relies on the cover of woods and trees for its foraging missions. It’s critically endangered in England and Wales as much of its woodland habitat has been lost.

Blog

9 of the UKs rarest animals

Much of our beloved wildlife is in decline. Find out about nine of the rarest species in the UK right now, and what we are doing to help save these precious creatures.

Hannah Vickers  •  15 Apr 2019

Protecting trees and woods

Campaigns news archive

Explore the highlights of our major campaigns and success stories from the last few years.  

Protecting trees and woods

Saved: Nidd Gorge

Thanks to the thousands of people who spoke up, North Yorkshire County Council has ditched plans to build a road through the picturesque ancient woodland of Bilton Beck & Rudding Bottoms at Nidd Gorge.

About us

Using Woodland Trust sites and data for research

Our valuable portfolio of sites and datasets are available for research and biological recording, to further the scientific understanding of conservation. Contact us to find out more about what might be available to you.

Support us

Go green in 15

Help us celebrate 15 years of the Green Tree Schools Award by completing 15 eco challenges.

Visiting woods

Discover woods in spring

While our woods are a pleasure to visit all year round, the jewel in the crown has got to be spring. Flowers bloom, bringing bursts of colour, and wildlife reawakens, turning the woodland into a hive of activity.

Trees woods and wildlife

Pine, Scots

Towering in the glen, the Scots pine is a truly stunning tree. It is one of only three native conifers, and our only native pine. It’s the perfect home for iconic Scottish wildlife, such as the red squirrel, capercaillie, Scottish crossbill and the Scottish wildcat.

Support us

Avoncliff Wood appeal, Bath

We can now keep this sleeping beauty safe forever and the magic of its unspoiled ancient woodland alive.

Trees woods and wildlife

Soil

Soil is the basis of most habitats on earth. Each and every woodland is a representation of the soil it grows on, and each handful is bustling with life.

Trees woods and wildlife

Osprey

Expert fisherman and a conservation success story. Back from the brink of extinction, the mighty osprey is breeding once again in every country of the UK.

Trees woods and wildlife

European larch

A spring-time show-off, European larch is a conifer full of surprises. Introduced over 400 years ago, it’s a favourite with squirrels, birds and moths alike.

Case study

Pearls of wisdom - tree planting to improve water quality

Pearls of wisdom: a case study demonstrating the improved water quality and freshwater mussel habitat achieved by strategic tree planting and bank stabilisation on the River Clun.

PDF  (692 KB)

Trees woods and wildlife

Mosses

Ancient and damp, mosses are part of a group of plants known as bryophytes. There are over 1,000 in the UK, and some have global significance.

Trees woods and wildlife

Ancient woodland

Home to myth and legend, where folk tales began. It fuelled our ancestors and still houses thousands of species. Ancient woodland has grown and adapted with native wildlife, yet what remains only covers 2.5% of the UK.

Visiting woods

Best bluebell woods

See a stunning sea of blue this spring. Discover our best woods for bluebells.

Support us

Discover your school's Tree Equity Score

Take action to help everyone access the benefits of trees.

Trees woods and wildlife

Elm, English

Once growing to lofty heights, the elegant English elm used to dominate the landscape. Now this ancient symbol of melancholy and death is a rare sight, having been decimated by Dutch elm disease.

Trees woods and wildlife

Spruce, Sitka

Imposing, aged, useful. The Sitka spruce accounts for around half of commercial plantations, and though it’s not as valuable as our native trees, it shelters birds and small mammals.

Trees woods and wildlife

Cherry, sour

Acidic fruits that are adored by birds. This tree gives astonishing displays of blossom in spring along hedgerows and woods.

About us

Our people

The passionate and committed people who work here are the roots of everything we do as the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity.

About us

Review of the year

Take a look at the major milestones in our work for woods and trees between June 2023 and May 2024.

Support us

Volunteer with us

Every year, thousands of people give their precious time to help us protect and care for woods and trees.

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

Chaffinch

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

Trees woods and wildlife

Sycamore

Familiar, romantic, sticky. Sycamore might have been introduced by the Romans or in the 1500s. Since then, it’s colonised woodland, becoming a source of food and shelter for wildlife including aphids that leave behind their tacky honeydew.

Trees woods and wildlife

Whitebeam

Charming and domestic, the whitebeam’s fruit is a favourite of garden birds. It’s rarely found in the wild but is a popular ornamental tree in parks and gardens, with lovely blossom and russet autumn leaves.

Protecting trees and woods

Minutes of the APPG meeting 26 February 2025

Read the official minutes for a full list of attendees and more details of what was discussed on the day.

Trees woods and wildlife

Ash

One of our most beloved trees. Ash is one of the most common trees in the UK, but as ash dieback sweeps through, is it set to be erased from our countryside?

Protecting trees and woods

Saved: Smithy Wood

After years of campaigning, the application for a motorway service station within Smithy Wood's ancient setting has finally been withdrawn.

Trees woods and wildlife

Bees, wasps and ants

Bees, wasps and ants all form part of the insect order Hymenoptera, a large and diverse group made up of 'membrane-winged' insects.

Video

Restoring Craggach Wood to a productive and diverse native woodland

David Shepherd and Annie Griffiths own Craggach Wood near Inverness. They share the inspirational story of how they transformed a long-established woodland of plantation origin into a biologically and structurally diverse productive native woodland.

00:03:37

Trees woods and wildlife

Western red cedar

A tree of strength and industry, western red cedar is grown in the UK for hedging and timber. Though less useful than our native trees, it provides food and shelter for wildlife.

Press centre

Team assembles to upskill the west coast to save Scotland’s rainforest

A team of nature conservationists have come together to develop a skill-boosting programme equipping local people to earn a living saving Scotland’s rainforest.

Accessibility

Accessibility

The Woodland Trust is committed to providing a website that is accessible and easy to use for the widest range of visitors possible, regardless of disability or impairment.

Trees woods and wildlife

Lungwort lichens

Once common and widespread, they're now pushed to the westernmost extremities of the UK due to air pollution.

About us

Funding conditions and eligibility

Your application must meet a number of funding conditions in order to be considered. Here we provide further detail on the types of research we can and cannot fund. 

Partnerships

Pets at Home

A thriving partnership in its sixth year with more than £1 million donated to protect, restore and create almost 8,000 acres of woodland.

Trees woods and wildlife

Mistle thrush

Britain’s largest songbird. Renowned for defending its food supply. Named for its love of mistletoe berries.

Trees woods and wildlife

European mountain ash ringspot-associated virus

The European mountain ash ringspot-associated virus attacks the leaves of rowan trees, leaving them weakened.

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.

Trees woods and wildlife

Willow, goat

Also known as the pussy willow, the male catkins of the goat willow look like a cat’s paws. It supports lots of wildlife, including the elusive and regal purple emperor butterfly.

Trees woods and wildlife

Common gorse

With bright, beaming yellow flowers with the scent of coconut, common gorse is a sight to behold.

Trees woods and wildlife

Dutch elm disease

This now infamous tree disease has killed millions of elm trees in the UK over the last 50 years. It’s changed parts of our landscape forever and it’s still spreading north.

Trees woods and wildlife

Oak, English

The ruling majesty of the woods, the wise old English oak holds a special place in our culture, history, and hearts. It supports more life than any other native tree species in the UK; even its fallen leaves support biodiversity.

Trees woods and wildlife

Weasel

Relentless and always hungry. What they lack in size, weasels make up for in appetite, eating a third of their own body weight daily. From birds to bank voles, the small creatures of the forest floor must be ever wary of this energetic hunter.

Press centre

Groundbreaking scientific research project at Snaizeholme will tackle the impacts of extreme weather

One of the biggest pieces of scientific research ever undertaken in the English uplands will tackle the impacts of extreme weather.

Plant trees

My Tree, Our Forest

In partnership with the Welsh Government and Llais Y Goedwig, we are delighted to have given away tens of thousands of trees to be planted all over Wales, kick-starting a National Forest for Wales.  

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.