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Protecting trees and woods

Take action in your community

You can get involved in lots of ways, indoors and out. Check out our ideas and advice for plenty of ways to make a difference for woods and trees, now and for the future.

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.

Protecting trees and woods

Tree Preservation Orders

A Tree Preservation Order (TPO) protects specific trees or groups of trees from deliberate damage and destruction. Check out the answers to 10 common questions on TPOs, from how to request one to protecting trees under threat. 

Visiting woods

Spring's Vital Signs 

Have you spotted frogspawn, seen blackthorn bloom or heard a song thrush singing? Let us know so we can check the health of the planet.

Support us

Spring's vital signs 

This activity is now closed. Thank you for helping us track the signs of spring with your school!

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

Blog

Protected trees: how to know which trees are protected

Our guide explains the different methods of protection, how to check what’s already in place and what you can do to protect trees that are important to you.

Nicole Hillier  •  17 Jul 2020

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Thank you for your recording!

Thank you for submitting a recording. 

Blog

Top tips for an eco-friendly and sustainable Christmas

Sustainable choices at Christmas could help the planet, save you money and make the holiday season more memorable too! Check out our top tips.

Charlie Mellor  •  20 Nov 2020

Blog

Do conkers keep spiders away? And other conker facts and uses

Do conkers keep spiders away? Do they deter moths? Can you eat conkers? Check out our top six facts and debunked myths.

Rachel Hoskins  •  30 Aug 2019

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

Blog

7 amazing woodland wildlife walks in Scotland

From otters and ospreys to fascinating fungi and flowers, Scotland's wildlife and scenery are spectacular. Check out 7 of our favourite woods for wildlife walks.

Charlie Mellor  •  15 Jul 2022

Blog

6 fast growing trees for your garden

Looking for screening, privacy or just want to green up your garden quickly? Check out our recommendations for a fast growing native tree to suit your space.

Charlie Mellor  •  20 Sep 2024

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

Blog

7 woods with surprising stories

From poetry and paintings to books, films and TV, check out these seven woods with surprising connections to the UK’s rich history and culture.

Chris Britt-Searle  •  05 Apr 2024

Blog

8 handmade Christmas card ideas

Add a personal touch with homemade Christmas cards that are eco-friendly and budget-friendly too. Check out our best ideas that adults and kids can make.

Charlie Mellor  •  27 Nov 2023

Blog

Environmentally-friendly gardening: 10 top tips

Work with nature to make your garden eco-friendly and cut your environmental impact. Check out our 10 easy tips that are good for wildlife and your wallet too!

Charlie Mellor  •  16 Apr 2024

Blog

10 best winter woodland walks

Embrace the simpler things in life with a winter woodland walk, when spectacular frosty landscapes and leafless trees reveal hidden history and elusive wildlife. Check out 10 of our favourite woods for inspiration.

Charlie Mellor  •  16 Nov 2023

Blog

What do hedgehogs eat? And how to feed them

Hedgehogs need our help and you can make a difference. Check out our guide to what food hedgehogs eat, when you should feed them and other useful tips.

Charlie Mellor  •  15 Mar 2024

Research report

State of the UK's Woods and Trees 2025 – a summary for Scotland

A policy summary report for Scotland based on the evidence from the State of UK's Woods and Trees 2025 report.

PDF  (7.04 MB)

Research report

State of the UK's Woods and Trees 2025 – a summary for England 

A policy summary report for England based on the evidence from the State of UK's Woods and Trees 2025 report.

PDF  (7.02 MB)

Research report

State of the UK's Woods and Trees 2025 – a summary for Northern Ireland

A policy summary report for Northern Ireland based on the evidence from the State of UK's Woods and Trees 2025 report.

PDF  (6.28 MB)

Research report

State of the UK's Woods and Trees 2025 – a summary for Wales 

A policy summary report for Wales based on the evidence from the State of UK's Woods and Trees 2025 report.

PDF  (4.15 MB)

Support us

Book a volunteer speaker for a community talk

We have a team of knowledgeable volunteer speakers near you available to talk trees with your group or organisation.

Research report

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. 

PDF  (12.74 MB)

Visiting woods

Walking

Taking a walk in the woods is the easiest way to enjoy the outdoors and get closer to nature. From woodland glade to unexplored pathways, where will your visit to the woods take you?

Trees woods and wildlife

Spotting and monitoring tree health

Observatree is a tree health early warning system ensuring that tree pests and diseases are spotted and reported quickly so they can be eliminated or controlled.

Blog

Ticks: what do they look like and how to remove them

Learn how to identify ticks and the steps you can take to avoid them when walking in woodland.

Rachel Hoskins  •  15 May 2019

Video

Unboxing your trees

Watch our unboxing video to see what will arrive when you order trees from our shop. All saplings are delivered for free, carefully packed and ready to plant.

00:00:47

Video

How we're returning red squirrels to the Scottish Highlands

In October 2019 we partnered with conservation charity Trees for Life and together relocated red squirrels from populations in Moray and Inverness to this Ledmore & Migdale woods. 

00:02:59

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Best bluebell woods

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

Support us

Fundraise at work

Raise money at work by getting your colleagues involved.

Plant trees

Where to plant

The trick to successful planting is good planning.

Blog

9 outdoor Easter activities for families

Get outdoors in the Easter holidays and enjoy our fun nature activities for kids - try nest building, go on a scavenger hunt and nibble on an Easter-themed picnic!

Danielle Wesley  •  04 Apr 2022

Visiting woods

Love your woods

Our woods are home to amazing plants and animals and they're all free for people to enjoy responsibly. Show them you care with our top tips for your visit.

Visiting woods

Discover woods in autumn

A visit to the woods during this spectacular season is always a treat. Grab your woolly scarf, pull on your wellies and venture out into the crisp autumn air. Listen to the crunch of leaves beneath your feet and get swept away in all that this season has to offer.

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.

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

Support us

Guidance for fundraisers

Find all the information you need to make sure you're raising money for us legally and safely.

Plant trees

How to grow a tree from seed

Growing a tree from a seed needn't be tricky. Find out how to do just that with our simple instructions.

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. 

Plant trees

How to care for your trees

Once your trees are in the ground it’s important to care for them to help them thrive, particularly in the first few years.

Blog

Foraging in January: winter fruits and nuts

You can still forage for tasty treats when it’s cold outside and the leaves have fallen. Here's our list of fruits and nuts to look out for in winter.

Helen Keating  •  16 Jan 2018

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