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Go green in 15

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

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.

Blog

Animal mating rituals: 12 eye-opening breeding habits

Discover the extraordinary mating behaviours of 12 wild animals, including hares, stag beetles, newts and snakes!

Danielle Wesley  •  12 Feb 2024

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

Protecting trees and woods

The Green Recovery Challenge Fund

In March 2022, we completed a 15-month project with the National Trust to restore damaged woods and conserve neglected ancient trees thanks to funding from Defra.

Blog

What do robins eat?

Find out what robins eat in the wild and what you can leave in your garden to feed them.

Rachel Hoskins  •  01 Dec 2019

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. 

Blog

Foraging for natural Christmas decorations

Transform your home into a woodland wonderland this Christmas with our easy ideas for festive, foraged home decor. 

Helen Keating  •  05 Dec 2022

Blog

Where does mistletoe grow?

Mistletoe is a familiar Christmas staple, associated with folklore and midwinter tradition. But where does it grow and how can you find it in the wild?

Hanako Shimada  •  23 Dec 2024

Blog

Starling murmurations: what they are and where to see

They're one of the wonders of the natural world, and they're often right on our doorstep. Find a flock of sky-dancing starlings to watch for yourself this autumn.

Kayleigh Jacobs-Rutter  •  16 Dec 2024

Blog

Christmas nature quiz

Test your knowledge of the plants and animals connected with our festive traditions.

Charlie Mellor  •  11 Dec 2024

Blog

Eco-friendly ways to recycle Christmas waste

Enjoy the festivities while limiting your environmental impact with our tips on how to responsibly dispose of Christmas cards, trees, wrapping and food.

Charlie Mellor  •  24 Dec 2020

Blog

Early spring flowers quiz: 12 flowering plants and shrubs

Want to identify blooms spotted on a refreshing woodland walk or bring some early colour to your garden? Take our quiz to discover some of the most common early flowerers.

Charlie Mellor  •  11 Feb 2021

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 eco-friendly New Year's resolutions

Whether you’re making a small commitment or a big change, here are 10 ways to do your bit for nature with an eco-friendly New Year's resolution.

Charlie Mellor  •  23 Dec 2021

Policy paper

Defnydd o’r Iaith Gymraeg – Safbwynt Coed Cadw

Lle bo’n briodol, mae defnyddio’r Gymraeg ochr yn ochr â’r Saesneg yn ein galluogi i gyfathrebu’n fwy effeithiol â phobl yng Nghymru.

PDF  (131 KB)

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

Blog

UK moth identification and facts: 12 common species for beginners

There are more than 870 species of large moth in the UK, many of which can be tricky for beginners to tell apart. Get to know some of the UK's most familiar and easily-identified species with our quick guide.

Amy Lewis  •  02 Jun 2021

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

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

Journal

Report and accounts 2023–2024

Produced annually, our report and accounts summarises our achievements, fundraising activity and expenditure between 1 June 2023 and 31 May 2024. It also outlines our governance, reports back on our environmental impact, and lays out our ambitions for the coming months.

PDF  (14.21 MB)

Blog

How to identify UK owl calls

Heard a screech in the night or a hoot in the woods? One of the UK's five resident owl species could be at large. Learn how to identify owl calls, from tawny owl to barn owl.

Charlotte Varela  •  21 Dec 2023

Journal

Wood Wise – nature recovery at scale

Read the autumn 2022 issue of Wood Wise, which explores how we can drive nature recovery on a landscape scale.

PDF  (5.81 MB)

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)

Blog

How to identify winter trees quiz - twigs, buds and silhouettes

When deciduous trees shed their leaves in winter, identification can be tricky. But even on bare trees there are clues to look out for. Take this quiz and test your winter tree ID knowledge.

Helen Keating  •  17 Dec 2020

Position statement

Use of the Welsh language – the Woodland Trust's position

The Woodland Trust is committed to using the Welsh language alongside English where appropriate and making everyone welcome, no matter their preferred language.

PDF  (131 KB)

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

Blog

What is a seed bank, how does it work and why is it important?

Discover the vital work of seed banks, including facts and figures on why we store so many seeds, how long for and how they might be used in the future.  

Rebecca Gosling  •  02 Dec 2020

Blog

What can rings and black lines in tree trunks tell us?

We take a fascinating look at tree anatomy and explore the appearance of tree rings and other black lines.

Julia Lock  •  29 Dec 2021

Journal

Wood Wise – nature inspires education

The autumn 2017 issue of Wood Wise focuses on how connecting with nature can educate and inspire the environmental guardians and conservationists of the future.

PDF  (1.87 MB)

Press centre

Woodland Trust announces Tony Hall – Lord Hall of Birkenhead as new chair

The Woodland Trust is delighted to announce the appointment of Tony Hall – Lord Hall of Birkenhead as the charity’s new chair. He will take up the role in June 2024.

Blog

How to prune apple trees in winter

Follow these simple winter pruning tips to keep your apple trees looking good and producing a great crop each season.

Helen Keating  •  22 Dec 2017

Press centre

Survival of rare shrill carder bumblebee given hope in Kent

The survival of one of the UK’s rarest bumblebees – the shrill carder bee – has been boosted as conservation techniques see Woodland Trust site given special “champion status” for the species.

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

Press centre

Woodland Trust Scotland Buys Highland Estate

Woodland Trust Scotland has completed the purchase of the 4,500-acre Couldoran Estate in Wester Ross, a site it plans to transform for the benefit of people and wildlife.

Practical guidance

Ancient woodland restoration - maximising ecological integrity

Practical guidance on accumulating more old growth characteristics, better space and dynamism, water and air quality, reintroductions and the integrity of wider landscapes.

PDF  (8.97 MB)

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

Press centre

What happened at climate COP29 in Azerbaijan?

The recent climate COP in Azerbaijan spent two weeks discussing rules for carbon markets, emissions trading and climate finance. But what were the outcomes?

Press centre

Politicians plant six millionth tree of the Northern Forest

A host of dignitaries joined together to plant the six millionth tree of the Northern Forest, marking five years since the start of the ambitious project to link up Liverpool and Hull with trees.

Blog

10 ways to help wildlife in winter

Wildlife will appreciate a helping hand in winter. From practical outdoor activities to the comfort of your armchair, check out our ten top tips to make a difference this season.

Charlie Mellor  •  07 Dec 2023

Press centre

Woodland Trust seeks major new corporate partner to empower young people through ‘Funding for the Future’

The Woodland Trust, recognised as the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity, is boldly seeking out the perfect business to work in partnership with to support an ambitious new programme of work.

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)

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

Discussion paper

Manifesto for the 2021 Scottish Parliament election

Woods and trees offer solutions to some of the most pressing problems facing our society. Good stewardship of the nation’s native woodlands will reap huge rewards. But the needs of our woods and trees must be in the minds of the next Government.

PDF  (3.55 MB)

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

Press centre

Woodland Trust announces partnership with Assynt Foundation

The Assynt Foundation and Woodland Trust Scotland have entered a 30-year partnership to revitalise Glencanisp and Drumrunie Estates in the North-west highlands.

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

Former golf course becomes wooded haven for wildlife

A former golf course in north Cheshire is to be transformed by the Woodland Trust into a haven for nature and a wild place for communities to visit for years to come.

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

Press centre

Tree equity map shows less affluent areas have less tree cover

People in less affluent areas have lower levels of tree cover and a higher risk of health problems from poor air quality, new online tree equity map reveals.

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)

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.