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Visiting woods

Thompson Wood

Thompson Wood is in South Norfolk, a landscape renowned for its post-glacial pingo ponds. The site is being transformed into a rich mosaic of habitats for wildlife to thrive and for the local community to enjoy. 

Protecting trees and woods

Saved: Lake Wood, Sussex

Take a detailed look at our team’s efforts to protect an ancient wood alongside local people and discover how our voices made a difference to save the site.

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.

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)

Journal

Wood Wise – beyond the woods

The spring 2017 issue of Wood Wise explores the importance of trees outside woods for people, wildlife and the environment, as well as the threats they face.

PDF  (1.94 MB)

Visiting woods

Heather Wood

This ancient woodland site is home to a valuable mosaic of habitats.

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.

Support us

Ausewell Wood appeal, Dartmoor

With its dramatic rocky outcrops, raw and rugged beauty, and precious, endangered wildlife, Ausewell Wood is the lost world that needs your help.

Protecting trees and woods

How to object to a planning application

If you are opposing a development threat to a wood or tree, you will need to make an objection in writing to the local planning authority.

Visiting woods

Gillian's Wood

We are restoring this ancient woodland site to its former glory. 

Plant trees

Planning your community wood

Find out how to plan your community wood's management and maintenance, from the site boundaries and pathways to the trees and wildlife that lives there.

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.

Policy paper

Local authority tree strategies - suggested policy

The Woodland Trust calls all local authorities to produce Trees and Woodland Strategy as part of their Local Plan. Here we present a suggested policy to meet statutory biodiversity obligations, by giving best practice guidance and examples. 

PDF  (508 KB)

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.

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Blog

What’s the difference between a wood and a forest?

If you aren't sure how to tell the wood from the trees, let us explain the difference between a wood and a forest and why they're both so important.

Charlotte Varela  •  18 Dec 2024

Trees woods and wildlife

Wood pasture and parkland

Home of history and ancient trees, there’s more than meets the eye to wood pasture and parkland. These sites are often mixtures of habitats, with scrub and denser woodland groves, to more open grassland or heathland with scattered trees.

Plant trees

Funding a community wood

Our advice on how to seek funding for your community wood, from buying the site and trees to on-going maintenance. 

Protecting trees and woods

Election candidates need to make clear plans for woods and trees

Successful candidates in England’s 2024 local and mayoral elections need to recognise the value of trees and woods where you live.

About us

Glas-na-Bradan Wood: a new beginning

Glas-na-Bradan Wood will be transformed into a new native woodland and for the first time in the Woodland Trust’s history in Northern Ireland, will be planted completely by the public. 

Visiting woods

Glas-na-Bradan Wood

The important landscape of Glas-na-Bradan Wood is home to lots of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. 

Journal

Wood Wise - trees for good

Read the spring 2020 issue of Wood Wise, all about how trees can simultaneously tackle the climate and nature emergencies.

PDF  (3.05 MB)

About us

Glen Quey Moss: a vital habitat saved

We’re protecting this unique site in the Ochil Hills for the benefit of local wildlife, the community and the climate.

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

Southern wood ant

Acid-spraying insects with a soft side. Southern wood ants roam our woods in huge gangs and have a surprising approach to finding their favourite food.

Trees woods and wildlife

Speckled wood

Understated yet headstrong, the speckled wood spends its time basking in sun-dappled woodland and fiercely patrolling its patch.

Video

Sibsey Wood volunteers

Find out more about the Sibsey Wood volunteers and why they were nominated for an award.

00:02:07

Trees woods and wildlife

Wood anemone

Sun-loving, gentle, a mark of the old. Wood anemone is one of the first spring blooms, arriving to take in the light through the leafless canopy in broadleaf woodland. Look for them in old and ancient woodland that suits their slow growth.

Video

How gifts in wills have made a difference: Avoncliff Wood

A third of all the work we do is made possible by gifts in wills. Find out more about the difference they've made to Avoncliff Wood, a beautiful wood in the Cotswolds that's also helping to combat the use of plastic on our estate. 

00:03:00

Video

Restoration techniques at Raincliffe Woods

We're working with Raincliffe Community Woodland Enterprise to restore ancient woodland at Raincliffe Woods, near Scarborough. Site manager Mark Feather addresses some of the common concerns and explains the techniques being used at the site.

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Blog

10 ways to help wildlife in autumn

We can all take small actions to help wildlife this autumn. From your balcony or workplace to the local woods and beyond, here are our ten top tips.

Charlie Mellor  •  19 Oct 2022

Journal

Wood Wise - creating tomorrow's woods

Read the autumn 2021 issue of Wood Wise, all about how to create healthy woods for the future.

PDF  (2.83 MB)

Press centre

One little word makes a huge difference for Scotland’s dwindling ancient woods

Campaigners are celebrating a major victory as new policy bars developments damaging ancient woods and trees.

Trees woods and wildlife

Wood warbler

A woodland songster often heard trilling through the treetops, the wood warbler graces the UK with its rich song during the summer, before migrating to Africa for the winter.

Press centre

Woodland Trust £2.9 million to fund trees and green spaces for local communities

The Trust has given communities a boost by providing much needed funding for cash strapped local authorities to plant trees and create green spaces.

Trees woods and wildlife

Wood sorrel

These dainty sleeping beauties fold up their leaves and flowers at nightfall. Seek them out in cool, damp corners of ancient woodlands where they thrive in undisturbed soils.

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.

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Video

Creating a wood for conservation, community and coppicing

Mark and Liz Lea planted a woodland on their organic Shropshire farm in 2023 with MOREwoods. They hope it will boost biodiversity, benefit their local community and provide wood chip for their biomass boiler.

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Support us

Yonder Oak Wood Appeal

Devon is where it all began for us 50 years ago. Now, thanks to your generous support, we're celebrating the creation of Yonder Oak Wood – a vast wooded landscape.

Trees woods and wildlife

Wood mouse

Despite being one of our most common woodland mammals, the small, sweet and secretive wood mouse is hard to spot. They feast on nuts, seeds and invertebrates and are an important food source for larger mammals and birds of prey.

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)

Support us

Endangered wildlife appeal

Nature needs help. Please make a donation to support our life-changing work to plant trees, restore habitats and protect the UK's woodland. Together, we can give wildlife a future.

Journal

Wood Wise – life in deadwood

The autumn 2019 issue of Wood Wise dispels any myths about deadwood and raises awareness of its importance to people and wildlife.

PDF  (4.01 MB)

Protecting trees and woods

Contact your MP for help to protect trees and woods

Your MP in Westminster might be able to help if you’re trying to save local woods and trees or if you’re concerned about a national issue affecting nature.

Journal

Wood Wise – iconic oak

The summer 2019 issue of Wood Wise tells the story of oak – of its role in British culture, as a haven for wildlife, and the threats it faces.

PDF  (4.47 MB)

Visiting woods

Walking dogs in our woods

Dogs are welcome for walkies in our woods. Take a look at our tips and guidelines for ensuring we keep our woods safe and special for dogs and wildlife.

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.

Journal

Wood Wise – hedgerows and hedgerow trees

The summer 2014 issue of Wood Wise looks at the benefits hedges provide, their management for wildlife, and hedgerow planting and improvement schemes.

PDF  (2.32 MB)

Journal

Wood Wise – wood pasture restoration and creation

The winter 2012 issue of Wood Wise looks at wood pasture, an ancient and diverse habitat that supports a number of species, veteran trees and grazing animals.

PDF  (4.25 MB)

Practical guidance

Site Assessment Handbook

This handbook will help you gather information on your site to help you create your own woodland. It guides you through four assessment stages and offers advice on growing the right trees in the right place.

PDF  (4.65 MB)

Trees woods and wildlife

Why woods are good for our health and wellbeing

Along with improving our quality of life, woods and green spaces can help make us physically and mentally healthier. 

Journal

Wood Wise - woods in waiting

Read the autumn 2020 issue of Wood Wise, our tree and woodland conservation magazine, which discusses the importance of natural regeneration for expanding tree and woodland cover in the UK.

PDF  (5.28 MB)

Blog

Top 10 coastal woods in the UK

Bats, rare butterflies, dinosaur footprints and even the roar of a whirlpool – these coastal woods are just waiting for you to visit.

Charlie Mellor  •  18 Jun 2019

Blog

Otters in our woods - where to find them

Did you know the clean rivers and shrubby banks of some of our woods are ideal habitat for otters? Follow our top tips for otter-spotting and find a waterside woodland near you.

Charlie Mellor  •  02 Feb 2021

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

Journal

Wood Wise – future forests

The spring 2019 issue of Wood Wise focuses on what needs to be done to manage the UK’s woods to nurture healthy, resilient wooded landscapes of the future.

PDF  (5.78 MB)