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30 baby names inspired by trees and woods

Looking for a tree-themed baby name to inspire a love for nature? Discover our favourite tree names for girls and boys, plus gender-neutral options.

Danielle Wesley  •  09 Apr 2024

Blog

Baby bird identification: UK garden birds

Learn to identify garden bird youngsters with our guide to some of the most commonly encountered little'uns.

Amy Lewis  •  15 May 2020

Blog

What to do if you find a baby bird

Stumbled across a baby bird on the ground? Find out what to do to ensure its survival.

Charlotte Varela  •  14 Jun 2019

Trees woods and wildlife

Dead man’s fingers

Swollen, blackened ‘fingers’ reaching for the sky. Aptly named, dead man’s fingers can be a spooky-looking find.

Trees woods and wildlife

Dark crimson underwing moth

A rare beauty – the dark crimson underwing moth startles predators with its deep red hindwings and depends on mature oak trees for survival.

Blog

How to identify elderflower and what to do with it

Elderflowers are an all-time favourite forager's treat. Get our top identification tips, along with ideas and recipes on how to use the fragrant flowers.

Helen Keating  •  03 Jun 2021

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

Pine martens: where they live, what they eat and other facts

They may look cute and cuddly, but with fierce teeth and claws and an appetite for small mammals, the elusive pine marten is anything but! Learn more about this iconic woodland species and how we're helping to secure its future.

Charlie Mellor  •  14 Jun 2018

Blog

Easy blackberry recipes

Forage for blackberries to make blackberry crumble, bramble flapjack, summer fruits pudding, and a sweet blackberry sauce.

Danielle Wesley  •  27 Aug 2019

Blog

Red admiral butterfly: identification and recording

Learn how to identify red admiral butterflies, their caterpillars and pupae with our handy guide, and record your sightings with Nature's Calendar.

Amy Lewis  •  24 Apr 2020

Blog

Why do hares box? And other hare facts

Find out why brown hares can be seen boxing in fields during the month of March, earning them their 'mad March' name, along with other top hare facts.

Helen Keating  •  08 Mar 2023

Blog

Foraging in July: nature's best summer food for foraging

Here are our top six edible wild plants to look out for in July, with tips on what to look for and how to harvest, cook and eat them.

Helen Keating  •  08 Jul 2021

Blog

The best elderberry recipes

Make the most of dark, fragrant elderberries while they’re in season. Try our favourite elderberry recipes.

Helen Keating  •  28 Sep 2022

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.

Trees woods and wildlife

Hedgehog

Sleepy, cute, truly iconic. These prickly critters rely on hedgerows and woodland edges for food and shelter.

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

Blog

Foraging in June: edible flowers, plants and herbs

From fresh flowers to tender leaves, here are some edible plants to forage in June. These are my top tips on where to find them, and how to turn them into something tasty.

Helen Keating  •  24 Jun 2021

Blog

How to make bramble whisky: recipe for blackberry liqueur

Read our simple and easy recipe for this delicious foraged blackberry liqueur, or bramble whisky. You'll love this homemade tipple, it's sure to impress!

George Anderson  •  12 Aug 2019

Blog

How to make a butterfly house: a step by step guide

Follow our easy guide to make your own butterfly house! It doesn't take long and supports your local pollinators.

Rachel Hoskins  •  12 Jul 2019

Trees woods and wildlife

Help name our osprey chicks

Louis and Dorcha have raised two healthy chicks that are almost ready to take flight! We're ready to name them and we need your help. Choose your favourite name. 

Blog

7 funny fungi names to help mushroom identification

The UK's 15,000 different fungi have a rich collection of fascinating, descriptive and hilarious names. Let’s take a look at some of the more eyebrow-raising.

Charlotte Varela  •  06 Jan 2023

Blog

How to make an easy elderflower cordial without citric acid

This elderflower cordial recipe is very easy to make. It's the perfect way to capture the sweet, summery scent of the familiar hedgerow tree that is in full bloom now.

Helen Keating  •  07 Jun 2021

Blog

Can you eat crab apples? Three favourite crab apple recipes

With their terrifically tart and tangy flavour, crab apples are a favourite foraged food.

Helen Keating  •  24 Oct 2018

Blog

Raw rosehip syrup: how to make and use

Rosehips really became popular during World War II when fresh produce was scarce. Here are our tips for finding and cooking up these surprisingly tasty fruits.

George Anderson  •  31 Jul 2019

Blog

Foraging in September: edible wild plants and berries to look out for

Ten edible wild plants and mushrooms to forage for in September, with tips on what to look for and how to gather and eat them.

Rory Morrow  •  25 Sep 2024

Visiting woods

Nature's Calendar

Help monitor the effects of climate change on wildlife near you. Your records contribute to a growing body of evidence on global warming.

Blog

When to pick sloes and how to make sloe gin

It's traditional to make sloe gin in autumn, ready for the coming winter. Here's an easy and delicious recipe for you to try, with our top sloe picking tips. It takes a couple of months to mature, so if you make it soon it'll be ready by Christmas.

Helen Keating  •  15 Sep 2020

Trees woods and wildlife

Deadly nightshade

Attractive, psychoactive, dangerous. Found in scrub and woodland, the deadly nightshade lives up to its name. Though highly poisonous, it feeds woodland animals and even has medicinal properties.

Trees woods and wildlife

King Alfred’s cakes

Tiny fungi with an embarrassing story, King Alfred’s cakes are named after the king’s poor baking skills.

Trees woods and wildlife

Turtle dove

Named after its 'tur tur' call, the turtle dove is romantic, enigmatic, and at risk. It nests in shrubs and trees and feeds on the seeds of crops and woodland plants.

Trees woods and wildlife

Song thrush

Famous for smashing open snails and for the sweet song which gives this bird its name. The song thrush was once a common sight in UK woodland, but is sadly in decline.

Trees woods and wildlife

Buckthorn, purging

Prickly and with the ability to purge. This plant’s common name harks back its use as a laxative. It’s a fierce, invasive species in North America.

Trees woods and wildlife

Wayfaring tree

A welcome sign you’re homeward bound, the wayfaring tree is so named because it grows close to paths. Look for them in hedges and woodland edges, with full bloom in the spring and heavy with berries in the autumn.

Trees woods and wildlife

Coal tit

The tiniest of tits with dull grey feathers to match its name. The coal tit is a frequent visitor to bird feeders across the UK.

Press centre

Dalkeith named heritage tree hotspot as experts record 500 “living legends”

Dalkeith Country Park in Midlothian has been revealed as a heritage tree hotspot after experts recorded 500 ancient, veteran and notable oaks over the last year.

Trees woods and wildlife

Pear, Plymouth

Rare, charming, foul-smelling. Plymouth pear was named after where it was found in the 1800s. Its fruit feeds wildlife, and its blossom, though beautiful, has quite a smell.

Trees woods and wildlife

Hawthorn

Named after the month in which it blooms and a sign that spring is turning to summer. The pale green leaves of this hedgerow staple are often the first to appear in spring, with an explosion of pretty pale-pink blossom in May. It simply teems with wildlife from bugs to birds.

Trees woods and wildlife

Meadowsweet

Sweet by name, sweet by nature. Meadowsweet might not be to everyone’s taste, but you’re unlikely to mistake the sickly sweet and frothy flower in damp woodland and bubbling out of damp ditches.

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

Mistle thrush

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

Blog

Are acorns edible? And other acorn facts

Acorns are a favourite dish of many woodland creatures, but did you know humans can eat them too? Here are some great recipes and more fascinating acorn facts.

Emilie Bonnevay  •  03 Sep 2019

Blog

Where and when do robins nest?

The robin, with its signature red breast and tuneful song, is one of the UK’s best-loved birds. Find out where and when these fiery fellas nest, and how you can lend them a helping hand.

Hannah Vickers  •  08 Feb 2019

Blog

Wildlife quiz: friend or foe?

Not all wildlife is welcomed into our woods, homes and gardens with open arms. Some species are seen as pests, but is it just a case of a bad reputation? Test your knowledge in our quiz!

Charlotte Varela  •  09 Sep 2024

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

Support us

Dedications

Be it a single tree or an acre of woodland with a personalised bench, your dedication will provide a long-lasting tribute that can be visited time after time – and support local wildlife too.

Blog

How to attract butterflies to your garden

Learn how to encourage butterflies into your garden with butterfly-friendly plants, butterfly feeders and more.

Danielle Wesley  •  13 Mar 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

Blog

Rowan jelly: how to find and make it

Rowan, with its fiery red berries, is a tree that's difficult to miss at the moment. If you want to try foraging this is a great way to start. Get top identification tips and a step-by-step recipe on how to make rowan jelly.

Helen Keating  •  13 Aug 2018

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

When do blue tits nest?

A sure sign of the start of spring is the sight of blue tits zipping back and forth to nest boxes, beaks full of moss. Find out when, where and how long blue tits nest, when their chicks fledge, and how important it is that they time things just right.

Amy Lewis  •  12 Feb 2019

Trees woods and wildlife

Aspen

Trembling, fluttering and shimmering in the slightest breeze. The rippling leaves of this beautiful tree give it its name: quaking aspen.

Blog

Wildflower quiz: name these 10 common wildflowers

Can you name these ten common British wildflowers? Test your wildflower knowledge with our quiz.

Helen Keating  •  11 Apr 2019

Trees woods and wildlife

Oak bracket

Though it oozes a honey-like liquid, the oak bracket has a few less tantalising names. It lives off the heartwood of living trees as well as on deadwood. Also known as weeping conk and warted oak polypore, they belong to a group called butt rot fungi.

Trees woods and wildlife

Box, common

A native evergreen that’s at home in your garden. Box is so special it’s got a hill named after it. Box Hill in Surrey takes its name from the ancient box woodland on its steep chalk slopes.

Trees woods and wildlife

Gatekeeper

Named for its rigorous patrol of hedges and woodland rides, the gatekeeper butterfly is a prime pollinator. Look for them sipping nectar on sunny days in the summer.

Trees woods and wildlife

Redwing

Named after its rouge underwings, the redwing is the smallest thrush in the UK. A social nomad, this berry-loving bird only visits over the winter months, with just a handful of breeding pairs staying here all year round.

Trees woods and wildlife

Hawthorn shieldbug

Leaf-munching minibeasts. The hawthorn shieldbug takes its name from the tree that it relies on for food.

Trees woods and wildlife

Lime, common

At home on a country estate or deep in the wild, this lime is common in name only. It’s a hybrid between the small-leaved and large-leaved lime, and is a particular favourite of aphids and their many predators.

Trees woods and wildlife

Pine hawk-moth

A master of disguise, both as caterpillar and moth. The pine hawk-moth lives up to its name, laying its eggs on pine needles for its caterpillars to feast on.

Trees woods and wildlife

Pill woodlouse

Easily found and easily startled, the pill woodlouse is named after its habit of rolling tight into a ball when disturbed. They’re a common sight in woodland, parks and gardens alike.

Trees woods and wildlife

Chiffchaff

A dainty warbler named after its song. Chiffchaffs are increasingly taking advantage of the UK’s warming climate by staying here all year long.

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

Blackcap

Named after the male’s signature black cap, this little bird arrives in the UK each spring, bringing with it the sweet sound of its beautiful song.

Trees woods and wildlife

House martin

Skilled architects with a penchant for moulding mud. House martins visit the UK to breed during the summer months. Named as such because they often nest on the side of houses, these small birds are sadly in decline.

Blog

What is pollination?

Learn about pollination and why it is so important for the natural world.

Danielle Wesley  •  08 Apr 2019

Blog

Why do leaves change colour and fall off in autumn?

Autumn is the most spectacular season thanks to our deciduous trees. But why is autumn colour better some years than others? Find out why.

Helen Keating  •  02 Oct 2020

Blog

Why walking in woods is good for you

It’s time to swap the gym – or sofa – for woodland walks. Here are five benefits for your health and wellbeing, plus tips on what to wear and things to do.

Charlie Mellor  •  05 Aug 2020

Blog

Why do spiders make webs, and other spider web facts

Spider webs are incredible feats of engineering, but why do spiders make webs in the first place? And how do they do it?

Charlotte Varela  •  05 Sep 2022

Blog

Empty bird nests: 7 to identify in the garden

Who nested here? Learn which clues point to the previous occupants of old bird nests with our photographic guide.

Amy Lewis  •  16 Feb 2022

Trees woods and wildlife

Common bird’s nest fungus

Clinging to twigs and branches like tiny birds’ nests, each common bird’s nest fungus looks like a clutch of white eggs. 

Blog

Elephant hawk-moth: caterpillar, lifecycle and is it poisonous?

Elephant hawk-moths are big, bright and very, very beautiful. But what do elephant hawk-moth caterpillars look like, where does their name come from, and are they poisonous?

Charlotte Varela  •  08 Jul 2024

Blog

Poisonous mushrooms: 8 most dangerous UK mushrooms

Your guide to 8 of the most poisonous mushrooms in the UK, including the terrifyingly named deathcap, destroying angel and funeral bell. Find out where they grow, how to identify them and why you should steer clear!

Hanako Shimada  •  19 Feb 2025

Blog

What’s the difference between nuts and seeds?

When it comes to nuts and seeds, it’s easy to get confused by name, size and other factors. Here’s our guide to work out which is which, along with some handy examples.

Charlie Mellor  •  29 Aug 2019

Trees woods and wildlife

Candlesnuff fungus

Pallid, petite, a tumour-fighter. Candlesnuff fungi may be small but they are a medical force to be reckoned with.

Blog

What is hoar frost and how does it form?

Discover what hoar frost looks like, how it got its name and the conditions it needs to form.

Emilie Bonnevay  •  21 Feb 2019

Trees woods and wildlife

Little owl

Small and stern, the little owl was first introduced to the UK in the 1800s. Look out for them in trees overlooking grassland from where they swoop to catch small prey with their sharp talons.

Blog

Badgers: what do they eat? And other facts

Get advice on their feeding habits, from nuts to mealworms, and other top facts.

Helen Keating  •  27 Aug 2019

About us

Tree guards: research into plastic-free alternatives

Our bold pledge to stop using new single-use plastic tree guards on our land in 2021 put us at the forefront of the movement to eradicate plastic from planting schemes UK-wide. We’re funding research to find viable alternatives and are now moving towards sustainable tree protection in other areas.

Blog

Hazelnuts: where and when to forage

Our tips on where and when to find hazelnuts in the wild, how to prepare these tasty treats, and the woodland animals that love eating them too.

Laura Cottam  •  05 Aug 2019

Blog

10 easy butterfly crafts for kids

Discover 10 colourful butterfly crafts for kids, from simple symmetry paintings to fun mosaic art.

Danielle Wesley  •  03 Jul 2023

Trees woods and wildlife

Phytophthora austrocedri

Phytophthora austrocedri is a pathogen that infects and kills native juniper trees. Junipers are one of our rarest native trees and an attack from this fungi-like species is a devastating blow to some of the UK’s populations.

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?

Trees woods and wildlife

Lime, small-leaved

Charming, sturdy, pollinator-magnet. Not only does the small-leaved lime’s blossom produce a sweet scent and pleasantly minty honey, its leaves support the caterpillars of moths such as the lime hawk, peppered and vapourer.

Trees woods and wildlife

Hornbeam

Gnarled and mighty, the hornbeam is as tough as they come. It’s beautiful, useful, and its year-round leaf cover makes it a winter haven for wildlife.

Trees woods and wildlife

Oak, red

Fiery, fast and spiked, the red oak is a fast-growing tree native to North America. It is often planted as an ornamental tree for its flaming autumn colour. Although it isn’t as valuable to wildlife as our native oaks, it’s popular with nesting birds and pollinators.

Trees woods and wildlife

Hard fern

An evergreen beauty with not one, but two types of frond. Its medicinal qualities have helped treat ailments for centuries, while its leaves have been used to subdue hunger and thirst.

Trees woods and wildlife

Bristle mosses

Bristly, spongy, and very sensitive to pollution, the bristle mosses are true tree lovers. Whereas most woodland mosses grow on the ground, look for these on tree trunks, branches and twigs.

Trees woods and wildlife

Chanterelle

Prized ingredient. Forager’s favourite. Succulent and delicate in flavour, chanterelle is used by chefs the world over.

Trees woods and wildlife

Hart's tongue fern

Exotic looking and incredibly useful. The hart’s tongue fern is the only native fern that hasn’t got divided leaves. Spot it in damp, shady areas woodland.

Trees woods and wildlife

Garden spider

A patient predator and web-spinning extraordinaire. Garden spiders are a common sight across the UK, devouring the flying insects that fall victim to their webs.

Trees woods and wildlife

Oak bush-cricket

This champion of the woodland long-jump is a lot quieter than its other cricket cousins. The oak bush-cricket lives, feeds and breeds in trees and woodland.

Trees woods and wildlife

Buzzing spider

Keep a keen ear out for this leaf-lover with real rhythm. Look for the buzzing spider on leaves and stems of deciduous trees and shrubs in woods and parks.

Trees woods and wildlife

Fieldfare

A winter visitor with an appetite for fruit. As the days begin to shorten, fieldfares head to the UK en masse. The fruit and berries of our native trees provide a vital source for these migrants.

Trees woods and wildlife

Forest bug

A living woodland crest, the forest bug is a shieldbug that loves nothing more than the sap of oak trees. Look for them on woodland edges in the summer.

Blog

Our top five woods to hear nightingales

The famous song of the nightingale is one of the wonders of the natural world, but to have a chance of hearing it you'll need to know where to listen. Here we share top tips for tracking down a serenade, plus some of our woods to try for a lucky encounter.

Amy Lewis  •  01 Apr 2022

Support us

Individual fundraising terms and conditions

When you fundraise in aid of the Woodland Trust, you accept the terms and conditions set out here.

Trees woods and wildlife

Fir, Douglas

A fragrant home for wildlife, the Douglas fir isn’t just for Christmas. First introduced in the 1800s, it’s been a valuable timber source and provided homes for the likes of red squirrels and pine martens.

Press centre

Woodland Trust opens Mourne Park

A rare ancient woodland wildlife haven has opened in Northern Ireland for the first time in over 500 years, with three new trails to help visitors explore.

Trees woods and wildlife

Ash-black slug

This massive mollusc is one of the world’s largest land slugs, and it’s found right here, in the UK’s ancient woodlands.

Trees woods and wildlife

Oak processionary moth

The oak processionary moth not only strips oak trees of their leaves, leaving them vulnerable, but also poses a health risk to humans causing rashes and breathing difficulties.

Trees woods and wildlife

Black grouse

An iconic bird which is becoming an increasingly rare sight. The black grouse is famed for its displays during the ‘lekking’ season.

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.

Blog

How to make felt animals: easy step-by-step guide

Follow our simple guide to make your own stuffed woodland animals. This fun craft is ideal for kids and grown-ups alike!

Becca Smith  •  28 Apr 2023

Blog

Woodland Walks podcast with Adam Shaw - Sheffield's tree story

At Sheffield's Endcliffe Park, discover how nature and the city have shaped each other over the centuries and why local people are so passionate about trees.

Adam Shaw  •  22 Feb 2024

Trees woods and wildlife

Bronze birch borer

A pest which could have a huge impact on our native birches, the bronze birch borer is native to North America and a serious threat to our trees.

Support us

Let's keep planting trees and protecting nature

Your support for UK woodland and our fight for nature is vital. Take a look at some of the incredible work we've been able to do and how you can help in the future. 

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.

Protecting trees and woods

Street tree heroes: standing up for street trees

People across the UK are fighting for their street trees. They're planting the street trees of the future, rallying the support of their communities and influencing local planning policies.

Blog

Foraging in April: edible wild plants to harvest

April is the time to look out for fresh new greens and herbs to give your food a seasonal springtime boost. Here are seven easy-to-identify edible herbs and plants to look out for.

Helen Keating  •  27 Apr 2023

Blog

Foraging in February: mushrooms, nettles and early flowers

Even in February, green shoots and early spring flowers are starting to appear. And they’re growing quickly. Here are some spring plants and winter fungi to look out for.

Helen Keating  •  22 Feb 2018

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

Trees woods and wildlife

Kestrel

A hovering hunter that strikes from above. The kestrel is a common sight along woodland edges, using its razor-sharp vision to catch unsuspecting prey.

Trees woods and wildlife

Kingfisher

Lightning fast and technicoloured, seeing a kingfisher always feels special. Spot them near rivers, diving low to catch tiny fish with impressive dexterity.

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.

Trees woods and wildlife

Hobby

A fast-flying falcon with rusty-red trousers. When not catching their prey in mid-air, hobbies rely on trees in which to raise their young.

Trees woods and wildlife

Nightjar

Mysterious and elusive, the nightjar is one of our most intriguing birds. A summer visitor with bark-like plumage, it can be incredibly difficult to spot.

Trees woods and wildlife

Willow warbler

A common and dainty summer visitor with a mournful song that rings through the trees. The willow warbler likes to sing and shake its feathers while it forages for insects.

Trees woods and wildlife

Long-tailed tit

Flying balls of fluff. These tiny woodland dwellers have a strong claim to be considered the UK’s cutest bird.

Trees woods and wildlife

Oxlip

A rare, charming flower. If you’re in East Anglia, look for them blooming in woodland in the spring.

Blog

7 galls to spot this year

Have you spotted something unusual growing on a tree recently? It looks like it might be a bumper year for galls, so here are 7 you might see this summer.

Emilie Bonnevay  •  31 Jul 2018

Trees woods and wildlife

Scottish wildcat

Stealthy, rugged, not your average mog. The Scottish wildcat prowls select Scottish woods, spending its time hunting and protecting its territory. Known as the Highland tiger, this highly endangered species needs remote woodland to survive.

Trees woods and wildlife

Serotine bat 

One of the largest British bats, the serotine has a taste for beetles and other flying insects. Listen for the squeaking sound it makes just before emerging at dusk to hunt.

Press centre

Fair and flexible approach could meet tree cover requirement for Welsh farms

Fair funding and a flexible approach can make the 10% minimum tree cover requirement achievable for most farms, says the Woodland Trust in Wales.

Trees woods and wildlife

Fallow deer

A social, elegant species with a signature speckled coat and mighty palmate antlers. First introduced by the Romans, fallow deer became extinct in Britain until they were reintroduced before the Norman Conquest around the year 1,000.

Trees woods and wildlife

Muntjac deer

Small and secretive. Muntjac are an attractive, but potentially damaging, addition to our woodlands, having been introduced in the 20th century.

About us

What it's like to work here

Like our trees, we want people to grow and thrive. Find out what it's like to work here from the people behind our work.

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.

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.

Blog

Broadleaf summer issue: here comes the sun

Summer is here and the woodlands are breezy, bright and bursting with colour. In this issue of Broadleaf, we tend veteran trees in the Midlands, hunt for pine martens in Scotland and unfurl the extraordinary tale of the familiar foxglove.

Elisabeth Crump  •  10 Jun 2025

Trees woods and wildlife

Red campion

These flashy woodland guardians have strong links to myths and mysticism. They are favourites of plenty of woodland insects – and fairies – and bloom a cheerful pink soon after the bluebell has finished flowering.

Visiting woods

Woodland Walks podcast

Explore our incredible woods with host Adam Shaw as he chats to the dedicated people behind these special places and meets nature-loving celebrities.

Visiting woods

Mourne Park

Thanks to your generous support, Mourne Park’s gates are open to all. Experience the wonder of Northern Ireland’s ancient woodlands, with scenic views, trails and rich wildlife waiting to be discovered. We invite you to be part of its story.

Trees woods and wildlife

Tree of the Year 2025

Vote for your favourite tree to help us crown this year's Tree of the Year. 

Blog

Insect identification: common UK insects

There are a staggering 27,000 types of insect in the UK. Let's take a look at some of our most common insect groups and how you can identify them.

Charlotte Varela  •  09 Oct 2023

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

Hairy caterpillar identification: 16 common UK species

Spotted a furry caterpillar undulating across the path in front of you or munching leaves in your garden? Learn to tell your tussocks from your tigers with our quick guide to some common UK species.

Amy Lewis  •  10 Jun 2021

Video

How gifts in wills have made a difference: Smithills Estate

A third of all the work we do is made possible by gifts in wills. The Woodland Trust's Tracey Garrett explains how important this support is to help our work at places like Smithills Estate - a landscape we're restoring to benefit both wildlife and local people. 

00:02:12

Trees woods and wildlife

Collared earthstar

The star of the show in broadleaf woodland, this charming fungus would look at home at the bottom of the sea..

Trees woods and wildlife

Scaly male fern

Poised, damp-loving, hardy. The scaly male fern is a tough old specimen that thrives in damp woodland, as well as on open heaths and hillsides.

Trees woods and wildlife

Plane wilt

A serious fungal disease of plane, plane wilt is usually fatal and can kill trees within two to five years.

Trees woods and wildlife

Pendulous sedge

Attractive, strong, damp-lover. Spot pendulous sedge swooning in damp woodland and river banks. It’s useful in a pinch, with edible seeds and strong leaves that can be made into rope and matting.

Trees woods and wildlife

Beechwood sickener

Toxic, brittle, red-capped. Beechwood sickener is only found in beech woodland and help beech trees take up nutrients from the soil.

Trees woods and wildlife

Great spotted woodpecker

Not afraid to make itself heard. The great spotted woodpecker is equipped with a toolkit that makes it a true woodland specialist. Its strong beak and shock-absorbing skull are perfect for finding food and making its home among the trees.

Trees woods and wildlife

Brambling

Winter visitors with a taste for nuts. Flocks of brambling head to the UK each year, escaping the Scandinavian snow and taking advantage of the food on offer in our woods.

Trees woods and wildlife

Holly blue

A delicate holly-lover with some unsavoury tastes. Find the holly blue on its foodplant in woodland, or feeding on juices from rotting fruit or carrion.

Trees woods and wildlife

White-lipped snail

These slimy damp-lovers are a familiar sight, but there’s more than meets the eye to the white-lipped snail. Look out for them munching their way through woodland, grassland and gardens.

Trees woods and wildlife

White admiral

Found exclusively in woodland, the white admiral is a stunning butterfly with a delicate gliding flight. Unlike its sun-loving peers, this black and white beauty prefers shady spots to relax in.

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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.

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

Coed Cadw welcomes Senedd support for 'Amazing Trees'

Coed Cadw welcomes Senedd support for 'Amazing Trees' and calls for public & community support to plant thousands more

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.

Trees woods and wildlife

Oriental chestnut gall wasp

This newly introduced pest is the only organism to produce galls on sweet chestnuts. If numbers grow, it could have a serious impact on our historic trees.

Blog

What do owls eat? And other owl facts

Find out all about what our feathered friends the owls eat, along with other interesting owl facts.

The Woodland Trust  •  18 Jan 2019

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

Trees woods and wildlife

Capercaillie

The world’s largest grouse, the capercaillie is an impressive bird which has roamed pine forests for thousands of years. Made extinct in the mid-18^th century, it has since made a comeback, but is under threat of extinction in the UK once more.

Trees woods and wildlife

Great spruce bark beetle

The great spruce bark beetle damages spruce trees by tunnelling into the bark. This pest was accidentally introduced into the UK in 1982 and now has become established in Western England, Wales and Southern Scotland.

Trees woods and wildlife

Holly

Festive, neat and prickly. Holly is a well-loved shrub that shelters birds and gives hedgehogs a cosy place to hibernate.

Trees woods and wildlife

Fungi and lichens

A dazzling array of shapes, sizes and colours. Find out about fungi and lichens, from ancient taboos to magic and medicine. 

Blog

Feather identification: common feathers in the UK

Collecting nature finds is a lovely way to feel closer to the wildlife on your doorstep. Some of the most abundant of these treasures are feathers, and you can find them almost anywhere. But which bird left them behind?

Charlotte Varela  •  15 Apr 2019

Trees woods and wildlife

Dog rose

A familiar, scrambling beauty that adorns hedgerows with its pale pink flowers. Dog rose clasps on to other shrubs with curved spines to grow.

Trees woods and wildlife

Greater butterfly-orchid

Tall and glowing, the greater butterfly-orchid sways over unimproved grasslands and open woods. Though not so sweet-smelling as its lesser relative, keep a nose out for it in the early evening when it is at its most pungent.

Trees woods and wildlife

Honeysuckle

Twining, scented woodland stunner. This trumpet-like flower is a paradise for wildlife, with its sweet, heady fragrance calling to nearby species, particularly on warm summer evenings.

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

Swallow

Symbol of summer and aerial acrobat. A bird with an instantly recognisable silhouette, the speedy swallow can out-fly most predators.

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

Wheatear

These migratory birds are seasoned travellers, embarking on an epic journey from Africa to the UK each spring. They favour upland habitats and nest in cavities between rocks.

Trees woods and wildlife

Primrose

Primroses are a cheerful sign of spring. They are one of the first woodland blooms and an important nectar source for butterflies. Look out for their friendly yellow in woodland clearings.

Trees woods and wildlife

Nightingale

Nightingales are relatively dull in colour but they are famed for their rich and distinctive song.

Trees woods and wildlife

Sweet violet

Romantic and showy, sweet violet grows on woodland edges, its flowers providing nectar for butterflies in early spring.

Trees woods and wildlife

Blackbird

Garden stalwarts. Famous songsters. Familiar friends. These sun-worshipping earthworm feasters are regular visitors to British gardens. 

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. 

Trees woods and wildlife

Phytophthora ramorum

Phytophthora ramorum is a fungal-like organism that causes the death of a wide range of trees and shrubs. The greatest impact so far has been on larch plantations, leading to thousands of hectares of felling around the UK.

Blog

Can you eat conkers? And other conker facts

Learn more about conkers with our fascinating facts. What are they? Can you eat them? And what’s the difference between conkers and chestnuts?

Danielle Wesley  •  25 Sep 2019

Blog

Bracket fungi identification: 10 common UK species for beginners

Bracket fungi, also known as shelf or polypore fungi, grow on both dead and living trees. Here we list some of the UK's more common and easily distinguished types to get to grips with.

Amy Lewis  •  21 Oct 2021

Blog

Best woods near 10 UK cities

Here's our pick of great woods in and around the UK's busiest cities for sanctuary seekers, wildlife watchers, fitness fans and history hounds alike.

Charlie Mellor  •  04 Nov 2021

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.

Blog

What is the difference between a newt and a lizard?

Found a small, brown, cold-blooded animal and not sure what it might be? You're not alone! Our guide looks at the telltale signs for separating your newts from your lizards.

Amy Lewis  •  25 Mar 2022

Trees woods and wildlife

Birch, downy

Soft on the outside. Tough on the inside. On a global scale, this tree, with its fuzzy leaf stalks, shoots and twigs, grows further north than any other broadleaf species.

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

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

Walnut, black

A handsome healer, the black walnut is both ornamental and medicinally valuable. It’s a favourite with squirrels, and its timber is extra pricey.

Trees woods and wildlife

Maple, field

Pollution fighter, autumn stunner, syrup maker. The field maple is a sturdy broadleaf, which supports caterpillars, aphids, and all their predators, all while resisting air pollution.

Trees woods and wildlife

Pine, black

Looming, handsome, graveyard-dweller. The black pine is common in shelterbelts, gardens and timber yards alike. Despite being huge, this non-native conifer isn’t a favourite with wildlife, though birds do enjoy its seeds.

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.

Trees woods and wildlife

Common striated feather-moss

Cushions of feathery green moss strewn nonchalantly over the woodland floor, common striated feather-moss is one cool customer. It brings colour to shady places and it is a characteristic of old ash woodlands in particular.

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.

Trees woods and wildlife

Stag beetle

Impressive, heavily armed and a formidable fighter. The stag beetle depends on trees and woods for its survival. Its fat larvae feed on the decaying wood of old broadleaved trees. Loss of its woodland habitat means that the stag beetle is now a nationally scarce species.

Trees woods and wildlife

Peacock

Big. Bold. Beautiful. This stunning showstopper is instantly recognisable, with its captivating azure ‘eyes’ and orange-brown wings. Widespread and common throughout the UK, it is one of our most-loved butterflies.

Trees woods and wildlife

Devil’s coach horse beetle

Jet-black with an even darker reputation. The devil’s coach horse has long been associated with sinister forces. In reality, it is only other invertebrates that have cause to fear this voracious predator.

Trees woods and wildlife

Flat-backed millipede

Many-legged leaf eaters that live a secretive life hidden among the forest floor.

Trees woods and wildlife

Fine streaked bugkin

Lover of oak and hawthorn, this bug is pretty unmistakeable. Look out for its bright and bold markings as it basks on bark and leaves.

Trees woods and wildlife

Cuckoo

A cunning master of misdirection, the cuckoo’s reputation precedes it. These brood parasites spook woodland birds from their nests, then lay their own eggs in them to be brought up by the host.

Trees woods and wildlife

Common lizard

Timid, lightning-quick and sun-worshipping. The common lizard basks in the warmth of the sun along woodland edges, sunny glades and rides. It stays close to dense cover so it can quickly hide among twigs, logs and leaves.

Trees woods and wildlife

Atlantic salmon

A fish with a harsh life and epic journey. They’ve long been a favoured seafood, but over-fishing and pollution have seriously impacted populations.

Blog

10 ways to use fallen autumn leaves

Fallen leaves can be put to great use in the garden, or turned into beautiful decorations as autumnal craft projects. Here are our top 10 things to do with autumn leaves.

Charlie Mellor  •  03 Nov 2022

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

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.

Trees woods and wildlife

Sweet chestnut blight

This fungus infects trees through fissures or wounds, and it has the potential to have a significant impact on our historic sweet chestnut woods.

Trees woods and wildlife

Poplar, white

Hardy, pale, magical. White poplar might not be native, but it is naturalised in the UK. It supports early pollinators and is an excellent coastal windbreaker, tolerating salty winds and exposure.

Blog

9 carnivorous plants to spot in the UK

Did you know there are carnivorous plants in the UK? Take a look at some of the predatory and parasitic plants you could spot in our woods and wetlands.

Charlotte Varela  •  28 Jun 2023

Trees woods and wildlife

Beaver

Architects of the animal world, beavers are back in the UK’s rivers after centuries away. These dam-building rodents can transform their local environment by creating new wetland habitats.

Trees woods and wildlife

Bechstein's bat

This elusive tree lover hunts, mates, and lives in woodland, relying on old trees for roosting sites. Loss of habitat means this once common species is now one of our rarer bats.

Trees woods and wildlife

Hazel gloves fungus

An Atlantic rainforest specialist and a clue that points to a wood's ancient origins. It makes its home almost exclusively on old hazel trees and is a sure sign of clean air.

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Yonder Oak Wood Appeal

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

Press centre

Explore autumn’s beauty in native woodlands near you

Autumn has officially arrived, and the Woodland Trust has highlighted a list of woods to visit across Northern Ireland where you can see the stunning change in season.

Trees woods and wildlife

Woodland wildflowers

From the dazzling bluebells that cover ancient woodland in the spring to the bright meadows bursting with buttercups in the summer, wild flowers are what make our woods so beautiful, while providing precious nectar for invertebrates. 

Trees woods and wildlife

Nuthatch

Scuttling tree climbers. Look for these woodland specialists hurrying up and down tree trunks in search of food.

Trees woods and wildlife

Red kite

A majestic scavenger, the red kite searches for food in almost any environment, then returns to nest in broadleaved woodland. Look out for them wheeling high in the air, or nesting up in the canopy.

Trees woods and wildlife

Robin

Feisty. Iconic. A Christmas card favourite and a gardener’s best friend. It’s no wonder this fiery little fella is one of Britain’s most-loved birds, frequenting the UK’s gardens in search of worms.

Trees woods and wildlife

Lesser spotted woodpecker

Secretive tree-top dweller. The lesser spotted is our smallest, and rarest, woodpecker. These woodland specialists are one of the UK’s fastest-declining bird species.

Trees woods and wildlife

Mayfly

Known for its short adult life, the mayfly is here for a good time, not a long time. Emerging between May and August, it dances above freshwater rivers and lakes to find a mate.

Trees woods and wildlife

Starling

Social songsters with shiny feathers and common garden visitors. These gregarious birds are probably most famed for their stunning murmuration displays.

Trees woods and wildlife

Traveller's joy

Also known as old man’s beard, this woody member of the buttercup family is often seen scrambling over hedgerows.

Trees woods and wildlife

Greater stitchwort

Pretty, star-like and abundant along hedgerows. These plants have an explosive seed-dispersal mechanism. Disturb a large patch of them in summer and they go off like fireworks.

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Stalker privacy policy

The privacy policy applies to current and former stalkers, as well as those in the application process, about whom we collect, store and use personal information.

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Service emails

We go to great lengths to ensure that you receive the right communications from us. Learn more about our policy here.

Press centre

Tree planting progress ‘near glacial' as Government releases new figures

Government tree planting figures published today show that targets to create new woodland in England have been missed again.

Trees woods and wildlife

Brown rat

A contentious character but as resourceful as they come, the brown rat arrived in the UK in the 18th century and has been a crafty resident of our towns, cities and woods ever since.

Trees woods and wildlife

Noctule bat

Often seen flying high above the tree-tops, the noctule bat is the largest bat in the UK. This species relies on tree holes to roost in and is often confused for a swift when on the wing.

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.

Blog

11 animals that live in the UK's rainforest 

Discover the weird and wonderful animals living in our very own rainforests.

Annabel Kemp  •  19 Jun 2025

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.

Trees woods and wildlife

Cow parsley

A true roadside stunner, cow parsley is a familiar sight in the UK. It’s a hardy plant which is popular with pollinators and grows just about anywhere.

Trees woods and wildlife

Common wasp

These picnic ruiners might not be the UK's most popular invertebrate, but they are efficient pollinators.

Press centre

Over 900 Insect Species Identified at “Commando” Wood in the Scottish Highlands

Ecologist Ian Strachan discovers 946 invertebrate species in Scotland's Loch Arkaig Pine Forest, highlighting its rich biodiversity and historical significance.

Plant trees

Boosting biodiversity at RAF Benson Primary School

Teaching assistant Adèle explains why the school’s free tree pack is great news for pupils, wildlife and the environment.

Blog

Seven edible weeds: foraging in your garden

If you're a fan of foraging but missing roaming the woods and hedgerows right now, go in search of some edible plants that are closer to home. Here are seven edible garden weeds to look out for.

Helen Keating  •  23 Apr 2020

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

Trees woods and wildlife

Deathcap

Silent assassin and killer of kings. The deathcap has been used as a murder weapon for millennia.

Trees woods and wildlife

Fly agaric

Famous, enchanting and highly toxic. Fly agaric is the home of fairies and magical creatures and a lover of birch woodland.

Trees woods and wildlife

Dothistroma needle blight

This fungal disease can have a serious impact on our native Scots pines. It could spell trouble for our rare, ecologically invaluable Caledonian pine forests.

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.

Trees woods and wildlife

Orange ladybird

A bright, cheery leaf-lover. The orange ladybird spends its winters nestled in the leaf litter and its summers feasting on mildew in the canopy.

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.

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.

Blog

Woodland Walks podcast with Adam Shaw and Tristan Gooley

In our latest episode, natural navigator Tristan Gooley teaches us how clues and signs in nature can tell us about the land, water and animals around us.

Adam Shaw  •  21 Apr 2023

Blog

What is a minibeast? And other bug facts

Creepy crawlies are fascinating! But what is a minibeast? Where do they live? And what do they eat? Find out all about them with our minibeast facts.

Danielle Wesley  •  13 May 2019

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.

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

About us

Our founder – Kenneth Watkins OBE

We are the UK's largest woodland conservation charity, but were established from humble beginnings in 1972. Find out all about the man behind it all.

Blog

11 rare birds in Britain's woodland

Find out all about 11 rare birds in British woodland, and why they are so elusive.

Charlotte Varela  •  10 Apr 2019

Video

Geraint Davies, upland sheep and beef farmer

Find out why Geraint has planted new hedgerows, more streamside trees, and increased tree cover on his Ffridd.

00:04:00

Trees woods and wildlife

Slugs and snails

Slugs and snails are key parts of the woodland ecosystem, providing food for many. 

Trees woods and wildlife

Birds

With declining woodland bird populations, protecting woodland habitats is more important than ever, from the lush canopy to the leaf litter below.

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.

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.

Support us

Terms and conditions

Igniting Innovation: youth conservation challenge. Full terms and conditions. 

Support us

Hucking Estate appeal, Kent

Your support helped us extend and secure this slice of Kent countryside. Now we have a unique opportunity to create a larger site with limitless potential.

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.

Plant trees

The Queen’s Green Canopy

We’re proud to have honoured Her late Majesty's reign by planting trees and woods across the UK with you as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy.   

Trees woods and wildlife

Foxglove

Beautiful but deadly. This familiar flower has the power to cure and kill.

Trees woods and wildlife

Lesser celandine

Charming and cheerful, the star-shaped flowers of the lesser celandine brighten up the woodland floor. Look out for their friendly yellow flowers on path edges in early spring.

About us

The SCATTER project

The SCATTER project used cutting edge LiDAR scanning technology to create 3D models of ancient and veteran oak trees across the UK, so we can better understand and manage these living legends for the future.

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

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.

Blog

11 types of day-flying moth in the UK: an identification guide

The UK is home to a number of moths that are active during the day, many of which rival butterflies for colour and beauty. Which species might you encounter on a summer's walk? 

Amy Lewis  •  23 Apr 2021

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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.

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Trees woods and wildlife

Juniper

A cosy home for wildlife and a gin-drinker’s delight, the juniper is a much-loved evergreen that brightens up the winter months.

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

Swan’s-neck thyme-moss

Elegant and damp. Swan's-neck thyme-moss is one of our most common mosses. Lush green with bright green new growth in the spring.

Trees woods and wildlife

Jelly ear

Velvety and a little disconcerting, the jelly ear looks just like an ear growing off decaying branches.

Trees woods and wildlife

Morel

Highly prized and easily recognised, the morel is a favourite edible mushroom. It has a strong, nutty flavour and a pleasant, earthy smell and grows in a variety of habitats, including well-drained woodland. But beware, it is poisonous when raw.

Trees woods and wildlife

Meadow foxtail

Upright and bushy-tailed, meadow foxtail is a charming addition to any meadow. It provides food and habitats for a variety of invertebrates, including the caterpillars of the Essex skipper butterfly.

Trees woods and wildlife

Oakbug milkcap

Stinky and unimpressive. Oakbug milkcap is a dull-looking fungus that is easily missed in woodland among its more spectacular cousins. It is edible, though is not to everyone’s taste, and is said to have an oily smell, similar to bed bugs. Yum.

Trees woods and wildlife

Privet hawk-moth

Gentle giants of the moth world. These strong fliers are brightly coloured as both caterpillars and adults, going from vibrant green to blushing pink.

Trees woods and wildlife

Violet click beetle

Glimmering and rare, the violet click beetle is only found in three places in the UK. This elusive beetle is entirely reliant on the decaying wood of ash and beech trees.

Trees woods and wildlife

Red-headed cardinal beetle

A flame-coloured sun worshiper, the red-headed cardinal basks in the summer sun in woods and hedgerows, and nestles under loose bark on broadleaved trees.

Trees woods and wildlife

Rose chafer

With striking, iridescent bodies that shimmer like oil slicks in the sunshine, rose chafers are easy to spot as they crawl among the flowers on summer days.

Trees woods and wildlife

Cockchafer beetle

Cute and clumsy. The charming, but alarmingly large, cockchafer spends late spring sensing for the perfect mate with its fanned antennae. Spot them in woodland clearings or bumping into lit windows in late spring.

Trees woods and wildlife

Speckled bush-cricket

What’s bright green, spotty and loves a bramble bush? The speckled bush-cricket thrives in shrubs and grasses in hedgerows and woodland edges.

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.

About us

Anti-corruption and bribery policy

This policy details our zero-tolerance approach to bribery and corruption, ensuring we operate professionally, fairly and with integrity at all times.

Blog

UK bats: a guide to bats in your garden

Explore the most likely bats you'll spot from your garden and how to help them out with our biodiversity-boosting gardening tips.

Helen Keating  •  22 May 2020

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

Blog

6 woods in the Domesday Book and other centuries-old UK woods

Ancient woods are centuries old, irreplaceable wildlife homes and carbon-crunchers, packed with fascinating history. Discover some of our amazing ancient woods in the UK, why they’re so special and how you can help protect them.

Charlie Mellor  •  27 Feb 2023

Blog

Wildflowers for bees: how to attract bees to your garden

Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. But there are things you can do in your garden to help reverse this trend including increasing food and habitat. Includes our top nine bee-friendly wildflowers to plant in your garden.

Helen Keating  •  18 Mar 2019

Trees woods and wildlife

Brandt's bat

Small and shaggy, this pink-faced bat is often found in wet woodland. Keep your eyes peeled for them at dusk when they come out to hunt.

Blog

Foraging in March: spring's edible plants

Spring has arrived and the woods and hedgerows are about to burst with edible spring greens, shoots and flowers. Find out which ones you can eat and what to do with them.

Helen Keating  •  28 Mar 2018

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.

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.

Press centre

Highland landowners team up to revive ecosystem area larger than Edinburgh

Four diverse landowners have formed a unique pact to “reawaken the landscape” across an area of Lochaber bigger than Edinburgh.

Blog

Chiffchaff or willow warbler? How to tell the difference

Chiffchaffs and willow warblers migrate to our shores every spring. Can you tell them apart? Discover the differences in appearance, call and habitat.

Alex Marshall  •  03 Feb 2025

Blog

Giant hogweed: the facts

How common is giant hogweed in the UK and is it really that dangerous? We've distilled the facts to give you the low-down on giant hogweed.

Helen Keating  •  29 Jun 2022

Trees woods and wildlife

Redstart

Colourful summer visitor and Atlantic rainforest specialist. These handsome birds love the mild, wet conditions of the UK's west coast woodlands.

Trees woods and wildlife

Sand martin

These social summer visitors can be seen flitting from the river to their signature tunnel nests from March to October.

Trees woods and wildlife

Mistletoe

Romantic, parasitic and poisonous, mistletoe loves broadleaf trees and provides an important habitat for woodland wildlife. Its leathery green leaves offer welcome colour among bare winter branches when much else is dormant.

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.

Trees woods and wildlife

Siskin

Stunning seed eaters with striking plumage. Bright yellow siskins rely on trees such as alder and birch for food.

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Discover your school's Tree Equity Score

Take action to help everyone access the benefits of trees.

Trees woods and wildlife

Fox

A born survivor with a bushy tail. Ever adaptable, the fox is equally at home in our woods or city streets. It sits top of the woodland food chain with a diet that takes in everything from birds and beetles to rabbits and rats.

Trees woods and wildlife

Lesser horseshoe bat

Plum-sized and pink-faced, the lesser horseshoe bat is one of the smallest bats in the UK.  Look out for them at dusk in woodland, but not in winter when they hibernate underground in caves and tunnels.

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

Lynx

These solitary, stealthy hunters are currently extinct in the UK, but some advocates of rewilding would like to see them return.

Trees woods and wildlife

Soprano pipistrelle bat

The soprano pipistrelle bat is a widespread species that hunts close to water and can be found in woods and gardens.

Trees woods and wildlife

Oak, Turkey

A pretender to the throne, the Turkey oak was introduced to the UK in the 1700s and is now impacting our native oak populations. It’s less valuable to wildlife, but much faster growing and a host of the knopper oak gall wasp.

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Summer message to Woodland Trust members

A message from our chief executive

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Have a flutter

Play our raffle to be in with a chance to win a cash prize - all while supporting our work for woods and trees.

Trees woods and wildlife

Blackthorn

Early to blossom, blackthorn trees have clouds of snow-white flowers in early spring. They’re best known for their rich, inky, dark fruits used to make a favourite wintry tipple – sloe gin.

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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.

Blog

Ancient yew trees: the UK's oldest yews

Often associated with immortality, a yew tree can live for thousands of years. Here are some of the oldest yews in the UK.

Rory Morrow  •  27 Aug 2025

Video

Meet the people behind our work: Loch Arkaig

Hard graft. Passionate people. Expertise and skill. There's more to our woods than just trees. See for yourself what makes Loch Arkaig Pine Forest so special, and what it takes to keep it that way.

00:02:47

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

Blog

Forest animals: 9 animals adapted to forest life

From scampering squirrels to beautiful butterflies, discover how our woodland species are perfectly adapted to a life among the trees.

Charlotte Varela  •  09 May 2019

Trees woods and wildlife

Beech, copper

Deep purple, distinctive, dramatic. Loved by some but loathed by others. You’ll often find this striking tree planted in landscape-scale gardens as a specimen tree.

Trees woods and wildlife

Hawthorn, Midland

Dense and pungent, but with fruits that are enjoyed by birds and humans alike, the Midland hawthorn is a supremely useful tree whose natural range is not fully understood.

Trees woods and wildlife

Woodlouse spider

Woodlouse assassin and protective mum. This feisty arachnid is perfectly equipped to take on tough customers – and other spiders won’t mess with it either.

Trees woods and wildlife

Badger 

Big families, big appetites and big personalities. Badgers are a wood's ruling clan, often occupying the same sett for generations and laying a network of well-trodden paths through the undergrowth. They’re playful, house proud and expert foragers.

Trees woods and wildlife

Bank vole 

Stout but speedy, the bank vole skitters around woodland and dense vegetation looking for blackberries, nuts and fungi. It uses its large ears to listen out for its many predators, such as the fox and kestrel.

Trees woods and wildlife

Brook lamprey

Reclusive, primitive and eel-like. The brook lamprey is an ancient and rarely seen fish found in the rivers and streams of several of our woods. It lives most of its life as a larva buried in the silty stream bed before turning into an adult and swimming upstream to spawn - its last act before it dies.

Trees woods and wildlife

Purple hairstreak

Small yet stunning, the purple hairstreak is rarely seen as it spends much of its time fluttering high up in the tree canopy. Reliant on oak woodland, this little butterfly is never far from oak trees.

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.

Trees woods and wildlife

Chaffinch

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

Blog

Bird song: Blackcap, chiffchaff and more

Find out how to identify the bird song of blackcaps, chiffchaffs and other birds.

Hannah Vickers  •  03 Apr 2020

Blog

What do moths eat? Feeding, life cycle and other facts

Explore how some of the 2,500 species of UK moth develop and what they eat. 

Julia Lock  •  09 May 2022

Trees woods and wildlife

Chestnut, sweet

Introduced by the Romans and a roasted winter treat. These long-lived giants, with their prickly-husks and deeply grooved bark, give us our classic Christmas nut.

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.

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.

Trees woods and wildlife

Horse chestnut leaf miner

The larvae of the horse chestnut leaf miner bores within horse chestnut leaves, eventually causing them to drop and harming the tree and leaving it vulnerable.

Trees woods and wildlife

Brown long-eared bat

Known as the 'whispering' bat for its almost silent echolocation noises, this little bat's huge ears make it an expert woodland insect hunter.

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.

Video

Bishop's Knoll Wood volunteers

Find out more about Bishop's Knoll Wood's volunteer group and why they were nominated for an award.

00:03:40

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

Trees woods and wildlife

Hornet

The king of the wasps with a fearsome reputation, the hornet is actually much less aggressive than its smaller cousin, the common wasp.

Visiting woods

Glas-na-Bradan Wood

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

Press centre

New study reveals the UK’s rarest rainforest beetles are multi-day adventurers

A new study delving into the lives of one of the UK’s rarest beetles shows them to be athletes and adventurers – travelling the scaled–up equivalent of several kilometres a night in search of food and mates.

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.

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

Herb-robert

Pretty, pink and healing, herb-robert flourishes in woodland from spring to late summer. Spot its bright flowers in shady spots in woods and grasslands.

Trees woods and wildlife

Oxeye daisy

Cheerful, prophetic and mystical, there’s more than meets the eye to the humble oxeye daisy. Look out for them on roadsides and woodland edges.

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.

Blog

Summer tree identification: can you name these nine trees?

Which trees do you recognise? Test your knowledge and see if you can get top marks!

Helen Keating  •  13 Jul 2020

Video

Growing partnerships for impact

partnership video page

00:11:33

Trees woods and wildlife

Roe deer

Nimble and fleet of foot. The roe is our most widely distributed deer, found in woods across the country. Look out for its white rump flashing as it acrobatically bounds through the trees.

Trees woods and wildlife

Sika deer

Not as grumpy as it looks, the sika deer’s furrowed brow sets it apart from other deer species. Introduced to the UK in 1860, it is rapidly increasing in numbers.

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.

Trees woods and wildlife

Yellow-necked mouse

Agile, alert and rarely seen. The yellow-necked mouse is only found in the mature and ancient woodlands of southern Britain. Always on the lookout for predators, it can acrobatically leap to safety when threatened.

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

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Privacy policy

We respect the privacy of our supporters and visitors to our websites. Our privacy policy is concerned with how we collect information, what we do with it and what control you have over it.    

Plant trees

East Anglia tree giveaway: terms and conditions

East Anglia tree giveaway: terms and conditions

Trees woods and wildlife

Land caddisfly

These clever case-builders break all the rules. They're the only species out of 200 UK caddisflies to spend their lives entirely on land.

Video

Timber production during restoration in a County Antrim woodland

Continuing a 150 year history of woodland management the Shanes Castle estate is managing its woods for timber production whilst restoring the ancient woodland. 

00:05:20

Support us

Scattering ashes in our woods

We welcome the careful scattering of ashes in a number of our woods, free of charge. All we ask is that you get in touch with us before you do so that we can protect the fragile balance of some of our more delicate woodlands.

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 Sep 2021

Video

How gifts in wills have made a difference: Sally's legacy

A third of all the work we do is made possible by gifts in wills. Emily Baum shares the story of her aunt, Sally Whitaker, and the growing new woodland she wanted to help protect for her grand nieces and nephews to enjoy. 

00:02:07

Trees woods and wildlife

Plum

A butterfly’s paradise with lovely blossom and even lovelier fruit. The plum is a petite tree which is perfect for pollinators and a perfect addition to any orchard.

Blog

Which birds migrate? Who you can spot this summer

Swallows, swifts and martins aren’t our only summer migrants – keep your eyes peeled for these species and record your sightings through Nature’s Calendar.

Charlotte Varela  •  12 May 2018

Trees woods and wildlife

Bracken

Huge, widespread, ancient. Bracken is thought to be the most common plant in the world and is found on all continents except Antarctica. In the UK, they thrive in woodland.

Trees woods and wildlife

Velvet shank

A burst of sunshine in wintry woods, the bright orange of velvet shank fungus is a treat for the eyes on a dark day. Not only are they a cheery sight but they are also edible.

Trees woods and wildlife

Timothy grass

A gentle and swaying irritant. Though this grass is a favourite with insects and farmers, it may well be to blame for your hay fever! It is a very common allergen, but is now being used in a cure to your seasonal sneezes.

Trees woods and wildlife

Barnacle lichen

Looking like little barnacles growing on tree trunks, get to know barnacle lichen which you'll find on the bark of living trees in ancient wood.

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

Oak lace bug

An insect pest which attacks oaks, the oak lace bug can reduce growth and weaken trees. With number of other diseases already affecting oaks, the arrival of the oak lace bug would pose a serious threat.

Trees woods and wildlife

Blue tit

The blue tit might be famed for its bright, bold plumage, but it’s much more than just a pretty face. Spot it performing acrobatic displays while on the hunt for juicy caterpillars.

Trees woods and wildlife

Buzzard

High-flying comeback kids. Soaring buzzards are a common sight above our woodlands once more. These impressive birds of prey have quadrupled in number since 1970.

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

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

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

Sirococcus tsugae

A fungal disease that attacks cedars and hemlock, Sirococcus tsugae can cause disfigurement and eventually death to shoots and branches.

Press centre

Success for Wales-wide tree planting project as 300,000 trees find homes

Thousands of households have planted trees through the My Tree, Our Forest project, helping to kickstart a National Forest for Wales.

Blog

Shieldbug identification: 10 common UK shieldbugs

There are a number of shieldbug species in the UK, characterised by their flat, often triangular bodies and distinctive, shield-like shapes on their backs. Learn to tell which is which with our quick and easy guide to some of Britain's most familiar types.

Amy Lewis  •  14 May 2021

Blog

Dedicate in memory: remember a loved one with trees and woodland

Dedicating a tree or woodland provides a living, growing memorial to a loved one and a poignant way of remembering them. Dedications are available in Woodland Trust woods across the UK.

Charlie Mellor  •  14 Feb 2024

Trees woods and wildlife

Elm, wych

Decimated by Dutch elm disease, the sweeping and majestic wych elm is a much rarer sight these days. Its loss goes hand-in-hand with the decline of the elusive white-letter hairstreak butterfly, whose caterpillars rely on elm leaves.

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.

Trees woods and wildlife

Beetles

There are 4,000 recorded species of beetle in Britain, and more than 1,000 live in trees and woodland habitats.

About us

Our ambassadors

Our ambassadors help us stand up for trees. Find out all about them.

Blog

Woodland Walks podcast with Adam Shaw - Martin Hügi, the 'Tree Pilgrim'

Martin Hügi, the 'Tree Pilgrim', is walking from Land's End to John O'Groats to visit amazing ancient trees. We meet him on day 79 to hear his experience so far.

Adam Shaw  •  29 Sep 2023

Blog

Foraging in November and December: edible wild plants

Don't be put off by short days and cold, damp weather as winter arrives. There are still wild foraging treats to brighten your days. Here are some favourites.

Rory Morrow  •  26 Nov 2024

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.

Blog

6 migrant birds to spot in the UK this winter

Not all birds head south for the winter. Some head straight for our shores to escape even colder conditions back home. Here are some of the winter birds you'll only find in the UK in winter.

Charlotte Varela  •  21 Jan 2025

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

Pied flycatcher

A quick and skilled aerial hunter. These summer visitors thrive in the mild, wet conditions of the UK's temperate rainforest.

Trees woods and wildlife

Tree pipit

Small, unassuming, brown. This woodland edge insect-muncher is often overlooked. But what it lacks in looks it makes for with its belting song.

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Spreading the word

Follow our tips or use our ready-made wording to promote your fundraiser on social media or with local press.

Trees woods and wildlife

Rook

Raucous relative of the crow. After a day foraging in the fields, rooks head to the trees en masse; a noisy congregation settling down for a good night’s sleep among the branches.

Trees woods and wildlife

Treecreeper

These tiny birds live and breathe trees. Spot treecreepers scuttling up branches looking for a tasty morsel to bring to their nests.

Press centre

Agroforestry for Scottish farming’s future

The Scottish Government is crafting its new agricultural support scheme, representing the biggest change in the support and regulation of land use and management in Scotland for 40 years.

About us

How we are run

We were established in 1972 and we are now the UK's largest woodland conservation charity. 

Trees woods and wildlife

Otter

An elusive carnivore well-suited to land and water. With sweet-smelling spraint and a playful nature, otters are making a comeback. Find out what they eat, where they live and how to spot them.

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

Blog

9 rare and beautiful wild UK orchids

Orchids are some of the most beautiful and unique wild plants you'll see in the UK. They are rare but well worth finding if you are up for the challenge.

Laura Cottam  •  29 May 2019

Blog

What do buzzards eat? And more buzzard facts

Did you know the UK’s buzzard population had quadrupled since the 1970s? These majestic birds of prey are thriving, but what do they eat?

James Martin  •  21 Jun 2019

Support us

Loch Arkaig Pine Forest appeal, Scottish Highlands

Old and gnarled Scots pines. Celebrated ospreys. Breathtaking loch-side views. Thanks to your generous support, some of Scotland’s finest and most fragile treasures now have the chance to thrive.

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.

Contact us

Contact us

Find out how to get in touch with a member of the Woodland Trust team who can help answer your questions. 

Support us

Joint gift membership

Give a gift in both their names. Make a bigger impact for woods and trees with a gift membership for two.

Blog

Hawk-moth caterpillar identification: eight UK species

Hawk-moth caterpillars have one thing in common: they're pretty impressive. Usually large, distinctively marked and with a characteristic horn at the tail end, they're a good group to get to grips with when learning who's who.

Amy Lewis  •  21 Jul 2021

Trees woods and wildlife

Porcelain fungus

A glistening white, translucent beauty which fights off its rivals with its own fungicide. It is associated with beech trees and is edible – but only once the off-putting mucus is washed off.

Blog

British newts: an identification guide

Learn to tell the difference between the UK's three newt species with our quick and easy identification guide.

Amy Lewis  •  19 Feb 2020

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

Bearded tooth fungus

Tufty and beard-like, this rare and legally protected fungus has a reputation for easing dementia.

Trees woods and wildlife

Hemlock, western

Dense and graceful, the western hemlock is a handsome tree with drooping branches of soft needles. Introduced in the 1800s, the tree casts such heavy shade that not much can live beneath it.

Trees woods and wildlife

Adder

Shy but full of surprises, the adder is the UK’s only venomous snake. It spends its days in woodland, soaking up the sun and swallowing its prey whole.

Trees woods and wildlife

Elm zig-zag sawfly

The newest threat to our already damaged elm populations, the larvae of the elm zig-zag sawfly can defoliate whole trees.

Trees woods and wildlife

Slow worm

Legless lizards which are often mistaken for snakes. These sleek and subtle creatures are a common sight in UK woodland.

Trees woods and wildlife

Poplar hawk-moth

Big, bold and full of character. An encounter with a hawk-moth is always special, and this species is the one most likely to make your acquaintance.

Trees woods and wildlife

7-spot ladybird

A cheerful beetle with a vicious appetite, the 7-spot is our most familiar ladybird. They’re common in woods, parks and hedgerows, and a welcome pest control in gardens.

Trees woods and wildlife

Goat moth

Bulky yet well-disguised, this goliath is the heaviest moth in the UK! Spot the adults when they emerge in mid-summer after feeding on the wood of broadleaf trees as larvae.

Trees woods and wildlife

Rhinoceros beetle

Big and bold deadwood lovers. These impressive insects need trees to feed and breed.

Blog

Bird song identification: UK warblers

Every spring, trees and shrubs across the land burst into a riot of song from a famously musical group of birds - the warblers. Here we get to grips with their songs and how to tell them apart by sound alone.

Amy Lewis  •  11 Apr 2022

Blog

Swifts, swallows and martins: easy ID guide

When swifts, swallows and martins appear you know spring has arrived too! Find how to tell them apart and when to see them with our top identification tips.

Fritha West  •  05 May 2022

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

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.

Trees woods and wildlife

Elder

Feared by the devil. Favoured by foragers. Find out all you need to know about why elder is the very essence of summer.

Support us

Membership terms and conditions

When you become a member of the Woodland Trust, you accept the terms and conditions set out here.

Trees woods and wildlife

Green hairstreak

The only green butterfly in the UK, this small but spectacular species can be seen fluttering through woodland clearings during the spring months.

Trees woods and wildlife

St Mark’s fly

A long-legged fly you can tell the time by – well, the time of year. St Mark’s flies emerge en-masse around 25 April each year.

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.

Blog

Foraging in August: find food this summer

Blackberries, rowan berries and crab apples are all ripening this month. Here are six wild edible plants to collect with top tips and recipes on how to use them.

Helen Keating  •  15 Aug 2017

Plant trees

South West tree giveaway: terms and conditions

South West tree giveaway: terms and conditions

Press centre

Young nature enthusiasts let creativity shine at Maldwyn 2024 Urdd Eisteddfod

Coed Cadw, the Woodland Trust in Wales, has announced the winners of its ‘Getting Creative With Nature’ Key Stage 2 competition, held in collaboration with the Urdd.

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

Video

Combatting flooding and soil erosion with trees

Leicestershire-based farmer Rachael Spence talks about how planting trees with the MOREwoods scheme has improved drainage and soil quality on her smallholding.

00:02:18

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

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.

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

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.

Trees woods and wildlife

Sparrowhawk

With brilliant yellow eyes and long yellow talons, this small yet skilful predator swoops down to ambush its prey unawares. Strongly reliant on woodland, the sparrowhawk has been threatened in the past but is currently widespread throughout the UK.

Trees woods and wildlife

Spotted flycatcher

Adept at snatching flying insects mid-air, the spotted flycatcher visits the UK during the warmer months, and is often seen on the wing in woodland edges and clearings.

Trees woods and wildlife

Greenfinch

A chunky-looking finch with a taste for sunflower seeds. Spring just wouldn't be the same without the male's wheezing song.

Trees woods and wildlife

Green woodpecker

A colourful character with a taste for ants. The laughing cry of the green woodpecker is one of the defining sounds of British woodland.

Trees woods and wildlife

Ivy

Clingy, luscious, misunderstood. Ivy has long been accused of strangling trees, but it doesn’t harm the tree at all, and even supports at least 50 species of wildlife.

Trees woods and wildlife

Tawny owl

Hooting woodland hunter with silent wings. Without a sound, the tawny owl descends from its lofty perch to snatch unsuspecting rodents from the forest floor below.

Trees woods and wildlife

Hooded crow

A striking scavenger with a taste for carrion. The hooded crow was once considered to be the same species as the carrion crow, but is now recognised separately.

Blog

Best native hedge plants: choose the right hedges

Autumn and winter are the best times to plant a hedge. To get you started, here are our top 10 recommendations for the best native hedge plants and the amazing benefits they'll bring.

Helen Keating  •  23 May 2023

Press centre

Logging horse and 'Water Horse' team up to revive ancient Highland forest

The newest form of timber transport has teamed up with the oldest, in a bid to restore a spectacular remnant of Caledonian pinewood and Scotland’s rainforest.

Partnerships

People's Postcode Lottery

Support from players of People's Postcode Lottery has raised over £28 million to date, planting millions of trees, investing in the next generation of naturalists, restoring precious woodland habitats and helped us buy our first mountain – Ben Shieldaig.

Trees woods and wildlife

Greater horseshoe bat

Rare and highly agile. Look out for the greater horseshoe bat along woodland edges at dawn and dusk. The longest-lived bat in the UK, it has become scarce due to a loss of insect prey and habitat.

Trees woods and wildlife

Grey squirrel

Tree-climbing nut buriers. Scampering grey squirrels are a familiar sight, but sadly these American imports have had a disastrous impact on the native red squirrel.

Trees woods and wildlife

Hazel dormouse

Sleepy, charming, undeniably cute. This minute mammal needs trees to survive and is seriously endangered.

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

Field vole

Cute and in huge numbers, but rarely seen. The grass-tunnelling field vole is our most abundant mammal and represents a vital link in the food chain.

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.

Trees woods and wildlife

Arkaig ospreys: your questions answered

We answer your questions about our Loch Arkaig ospreys, the nest cameras and their forest home.

Video

Meet the people behind our work: Fingle Woods

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

00:02:17

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.

Trees woods and wildlife

Plane, London

A real city slicker, the London plane is the capital’s most common tree. As a hybrid of American sycamore and Oriental plane, it was first discovered in the 17th century then widely planted in the 18th.

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

Spruce, Norway

Festive, useful, squirrel food. Made popular by Prince Albert, Norway spruce is a familiar non-native, with friendly winter colour and a value to native wildlife.

Trees woods and wildlife

Wild service tree

A true springtime stunner, it’s not so long ago that you could find wild-service fruit at a market. These days it’s rare and hard to find but it’s still a favourite with wildlife like the wood pigeon, whose gut softens its seeds for propagation.

Trees woods and wildlife

Asian and citrus longhorn beetles

The Asian longhorn beetle is a killer of broadleaf trees. It’s not in the UK yet, but there’s a high risk of it being imported on wood packaging.

Trees woods and wildlife

Shaggy parasol

Elegant and shabby-chic. Good to eat – unless you’re one of the one in 25 people whose stomach can’t tolerate it.

Trees woods and wildlife

Yellow brain

A frilly sign of a witch’s curse, yellow brain is a parasitic jelly fungus that looks a little like a brain and feeds on fungi that feed on dead wood.

Trees woods and wildlife

Scarlet elf cup

Mystical and cheery, the scarlet elf cup grows on decaying sticks and branches in damp spots and beneath leaf litter on the woodland floor. Their bright pops of colour brighten up even the darkest winter day.

Trees woods and wildlife

Charcoal burner

Crumbly, tasty and ruddy, the charcoal burner is a favourite with chefs.

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.

Trees woods and wildlife

Brimstone

A common master of disguise, the brimstone blends perfectly into the alder leaves it lays its eggs on. Spot them in early spring when they emerge from hibernation.

Trees woods and wildlife

Common centipede

Scuttling hunter with a venomous kick. The common centipede uses its many legs to hunt other invertebrates on the woodland floor.

Trees woods and wildlife

Harvestman

Spindly, gangly, with small, rounded bodies. These oddly proportioned spider relatives escape predators by losing their limbs. Look for them in damp woodland environments.

Trees woods and wildlife

Common crossbill

Bright colours and big beaks. The crossbill is a striking resident of coniferous woodland, using its unusually-shaped bill to extract pine seeds.

Trees woods and wildlife

Goldcrest

A tiny bird with a big hairdo. The goldcrest is our smallest bird species, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in colour.

Video

Faughan Valley: Creating a resilient woodland

Find out how the Woodland Trust Northern Ireland woodland creation team is working with landowners to create new woods in the Faughan Valley.

00:05:43

Trees woods and wildlife

Willow, grey

A soft, silvery lover of damp woodland, the grey willow is a bit scruffy but full of charm. Caterpillars flock to feed on its leaves and its fuzzy catkins are an early pollen source for pollinators.

Trees woods and wildlife

Acute oak decline

Our native oaks are under pressure like never before. They are declining at an unprecedented rate due to drought, flooding, pollution, pests and diseases.

Trees woods and wildlife

Eucalyptus

Pleasant smelling, antiseptic, highly flammable. Eucalyptus might be the favourite of koalas in its native Australia, but in the UK it is insects which are drawn to its rich oil.

Trees woods and wildlife

Emerald ash borer

The emerald ash borer has killed billions of ash trees in the US. If it gets here, it will do the same to our already vulnerable ash populations.

Press centre

Visit the Woodland Trust's bluebell woods in full bloom

The Woodland Trust Northern Ireland wants to welcome visitors to sites throughout the region to enjoy the spectacular springtime sight of a bluebell-carpeted woodland.

Trees woods and wildlife

Pine processionary moth

Feeding on the needles of pine trees, the pine processionary moth is seriously destructive. They can rapidly strip trees of their needles in forests in Asia, Africa and southern Europe, leaving them vulnerable. Now, there are fears it’s heading north to the UK.

Press centre

Windrush elders plant commemorative woodland grove

A new woodland grove has been planted in Neath to commemorate 75 years since HMT Empire Windrush docked in England on 22 June 1948.

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

Trees woods and wildlife

Purple emperor

Despite its exotic appearance, the purple emperor is as typical of UK woodland as the mighty oak. It’s elusive and beautiful, but has quite the unsavoury appetite.

Trees woods and wildlife

Habitats

The UK’s woodlands are rich and diverse, supporting more invertebrates than any other habitat. From lush temperate forests, to orchards and old hunting grounds. Each is varied and complex, shaped by geology, soils, climate and people over generations. With special and often spectacular wildlife, they are magical places.

Trees woods and wildlife

Moths

While they may not be seen as quite as attractive as butterflies, moths have a beauty all of their own. A whole host of moth species live in woodland, using their camouflage skills to blend in with tree bark, leaves and other woodland features. There are over 2,500 species of moth in the UK.

Blog

Woodland Walks podcast with Adam Shaw - Frodsham Woods, Cheshire

Join us for a planting day at Frodsham Woods where a former golf course is transforming into a space for people to enjoy, to fight climate change and help wildlife thrive.

Adam Shaw  •  28 Mar 2024

Trees woods and wildlife

Elm, Huntingdon

A hardy cultivar, the Huntingdon elm is a hybrid with some resistance to the devastating Dutch elm disease.

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.

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.

00:04:06

Trees woods and wildlife

Spindle

Industrious, delicate, colourful. The spindle is at its loveliest in autumn when its leaves turn russet and its pink and orange fruits ripen. Wildlife loves its leaves and fruit, and aphids flock to it, bringing with them an array of their predators.

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

Bird song identification: songs and calls for beginners

How many birds can you identify by sound alone? Learn to tell some of the UK's most familiar and distinct bird songs apart with our handy guide.

Kayleigh Jacobs-Rutter  •  13 Feb 2024

Trees woods and wildlife

Maple, Norway

Introduced in the 17th century, the handsome Norway maple is known for its hardy timber. Its leaves are a favourite with caterpillars and its seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals.

Trees woods and wildlife

Cowslip

Simple yet lovely, cowslips are synonymous with spring and Easter. Find them in woods and meadows during springtime.

Trees woods and wildlife

Early purple orchid

One of the first orchids to arrive during spring, the early purple orchid is a sight to behold.

Trees woods and wildlife

Tree sparrow

Shy and sweet countryside-lovers. The tree sparrow is rarely seen around humans, but might be spotted in lowland farmland when there's some grain to snaffle.

Blog

What is growing on my tree? Black spots, galls, mildew and algae

Trees can host a range of spots, patches, powders, lumps and bumps! Here’s our quick guide to some of the more common funguses, growths and colour changes.

Emilie Bonnevay  •  27 Jun 2019

Visiting woods

Gillian's Wood

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

Plant trees

Leasing a wood

Leasing a wood may be a better option if your community group is small or has limited funds.

Blog

Christmas nature quiz

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

Charlie Mellor  •  11 Dec 2024

Trees woods and wildlife

Stoat

Fast and definitely furious. The stoat is not afraid to take on prey more than five times its size. Up trees or underground, there are few places this potent predator won’t go in search of its next meal.

Privacy policy

Volunteers

The privacy policy applies to applicants for volunteer roles, current and former volunteers, about whom we collect, store and use personal information.

Trees woods and wildlife

Dog’s mercury

A poisonous coloniser of ancient woodland, dog’s mercury is quick to sweep over the wood floor, sometimes outcompeting more delicate ancient woodland species.

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.

00:06:58

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

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.

Trees woods and wildlife

Pear

First introduced around AD 995, the diverse and delicious pear is a favourite with wildlife and people alike.

Trees woods and wildlife

Lime, large-leaved

Towering, romantic, sticky. Large-leaved lime is a handsome broadleaf tree that is a rich home for wildlife. Find out more.

Trees woods and wildlife

Guelder rose

Flamboyant, romantic, wildlife beacon. The guelder rose brightens woods with spring blossom, autumn colour and vibrant berries.

Trees woods and wildlife

Oak, sessile

Less famous than English oak, but no less loved, the sessile oak towers in the woods. Squirrels, jays and badgers love their acorns and caterpillars flock to eat their leaves, in fact 326 species of wildlife are found only on oak.

Trees woods and wildlife

Stinkhorn

Pungent and a little indecent, some Victorians were so embarrassed by these fungi that they would attack them with cudgels lest any impressionable young ladies might see them.

Trees woods and wildlife

Common frog

Smooth. Slick. Slippery. These quick-jumping masters of disguise are regular visitors to garden ponds.

Trees woods and wildlife

Penny bun

Weighty, fat and delicious with a cap like a crusty, well-baked bun. Penny buns, or ceps, are prized for their taste and benefits to woodland, tree and human health.

Trees woods and wildlife

Glow-worm

Emitting an eerie yellow-green glow at night, female glow-worms use bioluminescence to attract mates. Not worms at all, they are actually beetles that lurk in lowland Britain.

Trees woods and wildlife

Common inkcap

Sticky and useful, inkcaps were used as a source of ink for important documents to guard against forgeries.

Trees woods and wildlife

Poplar leaf beetle

A bright-coloured, picky eater. The poplar leaf beetle spends its time munching on the leaves of willows and, you guessed it, poplars.

Trees woods and wildlife

Lemon slug

Slimy, secretive and quite the picky eater. The fungus-loving lemon slug relies on ancient woodland to survive.

Trees woods and wildlife

Great tit

A familiar face. Great tits are among our most common birds, bringing a dash of green and yellow to woodland and gardens across the country.

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.

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

Trees woods and wildlife

Barbastelle bat

Distinctive, rare, elusive. The barbastelle bat lives in deciduous woodland and looks unlike any other bat. If you’re lucky, you might spot it hunting in wet woodland.

Blog

Wander through history: fascinating ruins and relics in 10 UK woods

Walk back in time and discover heritage sites and historical ruins in some of the UK’s most enthralling woodlands, from ramparts and barrows to abandoned buildings and bomb shelters.

Chris Britt-Searle  •  01 Mar 2024

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

Elm, field

A phoenix from the ashes, the field elm has been able to recover from the decimation of Dutch elm disease thanks to its ability to grow easily. However, it’s still under threat, along with the wildlife that relies on it.

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.

Press centre

New community woodland taking shape near Billington

Work is well underway on a new community woodland planned for Billington in Lancashire.

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.

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

Hawfinch

This big-billed heavyweight can easily crush a cherry stone, but the UK’s largest finch is shy and hard to spot, spending most of its time in the canopy.

Trees woods and wildlife

Long-eared owl

Wise and regal, with an imposing stare and elusive nature. Our most nocturnal owl, with a penchant for recycling other bird’s old nests. It lives in dense woodland and is a skilful hunter.

Trees woods and wildlife

Common dog violet

A charming sanctuary for butterflies, common in UK woodland. Look to the woodland floor for a flush of purple and you might see fritillary butterflies feeding and laying their eggs.

Blog

10 common garden birds to spot on your bird feeder

Find out all about the common British garden birds, what to feed them and how to identify them.

Hannah Vickers  •  21 Mar 2019

Trees woods and wildlife

Natterer’s bat

Foliage foragers and cave-dwelling contortionists, these ‘red-armed bats’ are expert hunters and can squeeze themselves into the tightest of spaces.

Trees woods and wildlife

Yorkshire fog grass

Beautiful but unpalatable, Yorkshire fog grass glows a gentle purple in meadows and wasteland alike. It’s not a favourite with livestock, but is eaten by the caterpillars of the small skipper.

Trees woods and wildlife

Eight-toothed spruce bark beetle

One of the most serious forestry pests in Europe. If left uncontrolled, the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle has the potential to cause significant damage to the UK’s forestry and timber industries.

Blog

Hawthorn and blackthorn: what’s the difference?

Hawthorn and blackthorn are two of the most easily confused species, so here’s a closer look at their differences to help you tell them apart.

Charlie Mellor  •  09 Apr 2019

Plant trees

Leicestershire tree giveaway: terms and conditions

Leicestershire tree giveaway: terms and conditions

Video

A legacy for future generations

The Ukrainian Youth Association in Great Britain planted 420 free trees in Derbyshire to have a lasting impact for its community.

00:02:45

Trees woods and wildlife

Phytophthora lateralis

A fatal fungus-like species that attacks Lawson cypress, Phytophthora lateralis stops trees from transporting vital nutrients.

Trees woods and wildlife

Cherry, bird

A stunning, scented show-stopper of a tree. In spring, nectar-loving animals flock to this beautiful tree for its almond-scented blossom.

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.

Trees woods and wildlife

Monkey puzzle

Distinctive and spiky, the monkey puzzle has been making strong impressions since dinosaurs roamed the earth. These days, jays and squirrels feast on its nuts.

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.

Trees woods and wildlife

Common earthball

Warty, poisonous, explosive. Common earthball might look like a potato, but it is not for eating.

Trees woods and wildlife

Cocksfoot grass

Tenacious and hard to budge. When other grasses succumb to drought, cocksfoot can be relied on for its perseverance; its deep roots and dense, tussocky growth securing its survival.

Trees woods and wildlife

Brown roll-rim

The brown roll-rim might look innocent enough, but it’s a deadly fungus of birch woodland.

Trees woods and wildlife

Grass snake

Stealthy slitherers. Grass snakes are lethal hunters of frogs, toads and other small creatures, but will rush for cover at the first sound of humans approaching.

Trees woods and wildlife

Ringlet

With chocolate brown velvety wings and a delicate trim, the ringlet is an understated yet attractive butterfly. Look out for its trademark bobbing flight as it travels through woodland glades.

Trees woods and wildlife

Wasp beetle

A sheep in wolf’s clothing, the wasp beetle gets by looking much more threatening than it is. Its larvae feed on dry deadwood while adults collect pollen from flowers.

Trees woods and wildlife

Dunnock

More than just a little brown job. Dunnocks may not be the most glamorous of birds, but there is more to this species than meets the eye, especially when it comes to mating.

Trees woods and wildlife

Goshawk

Back from the brink of extinction, the goshawk is the ultimate woodland predator. Its wings are tailor-made for weaving through trees and hunting almost anything it outsizes.

Trees woods and wildlife

Bullfinch

Shy but striking. Bullfinches bring a brilliant burst of colour to the UK’s woods. The species depends on trees for much of its food, feeding on seeds and buds.

Blog

5 spring flower crafts for kids

Take a look at 5 fantastic spring flower crafts that kids will love, including tissue paper bluebells and finger-painted blossom.

Hannah Vickers  •  19 May 2021

Blog

When do pine cones fall? And what to do with them

Hunting for pine cones can be a great activity for adults and children alike. Read our tips on when and where to find pine cones and fun ways to use them.

Charlie Mellor  •  06 Oct 2020

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

Blog

Foraging in October: which wild mushrooms can you eat?

Explore the world of foraging with these top wild fungi picking and cooking tips. Here are five edible fungi that are easy to identify.

Helen Keating  •  29 Oct 2018

Trees woods and wildlife

Dogwood

Understated until the colder months when it bursts into colour, dogwood is a broadleaf shrub which thrives in damp woodland edges. The timber is so hard, it was used for crucifixes.

Trees woods and wildlife

Horse chestnut bleeding canker

Huge horse chestnut trees are icons in our parks and gardens, but they are under threat from two invaders: a bacterium and a leaf miner.

Trees woods and wildlife

Common rough woodlouse

Hardy, hungry, excellent composters. The humble woodlouse munches its way through just about anything it can find and is an expert in recycling nutrients.

Press centre

Clock is ticking for Britain’s incredibly rare rainforests

The Woodland Trust is highlighting the plight of its special rainforests to coincide with World Rainforest Day. Despite fears over the future of the Britain’s rainforests, much is being done on the ground to protect these special habitats. 

Blog

13 Halloween nature crafts and activities for kids

Get set for spooky season with leaf ghosts, conker pumpkins, twig wands and a thrilling Halloween scavenger hunt!

Danielle Wesley  •  04 Oct 2023

Video

Phillipa Batchelor - volunteer administrator

Find out more about Phillipa's volunteering role and why she was nominated for an award.

00:02:05

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.

Trees woods and wildlife

Blue ground beetle

Rare jewel. Treetop adventurer. The blue ground beetle is found at just a handful of sites in England and Wales, scaling trees under cover of darkness in search of slugs.

Blog

Grass snake or adder? How to tell the difference between UK reptiles

Discover more about our common native reptiles and where you can find them with this snakes and lizards guide.

Karen Hornigold  •  01 Feb 2018

Trees woods and wildlife

Deathwatch beetle

Destroyer of wood. Omen of death. The deathwatch beetle might be small, but it can have a big impact. Listen out for its rhythmic tapping in old trees and buildings.

Blog

UK spider identification: 10 common species

Don't wait until spider season to appreciate these misunderstood creatures. Take a look at our guide to some of the most common spiders in the UK and learn how to identify them.

Charlotte Varela  •  30 Oct 2024

Blog

Rare woodland animals and where to find them

Discover some of the UK's rarest woodland animals and where to spot them in the wild. 

Annabel Kemp  •  21 Sep 2023

Trees woods and wildlife

Barn owl

With bright white feathers and a distinctive heart-shaped face, there’s no mistaking the barn owl. Catching sight of one on the wing is always a delight. 

Trees woods and wildlife

Wild garlic

A delicious sign of the old, wild garlic is also known as ramsons. Look for them in shady woods where they coat the woodland floor in spring.

Trees woods and wildlife

Wild strawberry

Sweet in both flower and in taste, wild strawberries flourish on woodland edges and in hedgerows. Spot them in bloom in spring and in fruit in summer.

Trees woods and wildlife

Whitethroat

A summer visitor with a scratchy song. Around one million of these birds head to the UK each year to breed.

Trees woods and wildlife

Woodcock

These plump-looking birds spend much of their time curled up on the forest floor. Their clever camouflage allows them to blend in with their woodland surroundings.

Trees woods and wildlife

Bramble

Hardy and determined, the bramble uses powerful roots to grow rapidly in almost any environment. Look out for juicy blackberries in the summer to make the most of this countryside favourite.

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.

Trees woods and wildlife

Dark-edged bee-fly

Masquerading as a bumblebee, this agile mimic is a lover of all things nectar. Look out for it buzzing from flower to flower on warm, sunny days.

Trees woods and wildlife

Wren

Plump, short and loud-mouthed, the wren is one of our most common breeding birds. Though it’s small in size, it makes up for it with its powerful song.

Support us

How to remember us in your will

There are several ways to leave a gift in your will to the Woodland Trust. Explore your options with our simple guide. 

Support us

Campaign with your school

Young people have powerful voices. Encourage students to start an environmental campaign to inspire positive change for trees and woods.

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.

Blog

Top 10 green gifts for gardeners

Looking for eco-friendly inspiration for your favourite gardening guru or want to encourage a beginner? From windowsill pots to established veg plots, our green gift guide has got you covered.

Charlie Mellor  •  11 Oct 2024

Trees woods and wildlife

Daubenton’s bat

A flying mammal with an aquatic edge. These bats are drawn to water, snatching insects from the surface of rivers and lakes.

Trees woods and wildlife

Leisler's bat

Tree-dwellers with a lion-like appearance, these fast-flying bats are scarce throughout Britain but common in Ireland.

Terms and conditions

Website terms and conditions

Website terms and conditions

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.  

Trees woods and wildlife

Yew, Irish

A mutant favourite with wildlife, the Irish yew is thought to have developed from the common yew. All Irish yews descended from cuttings of one tree found in County Fermanagh in the 1700s. Nowadays, it provides food and shelter for native animals.

Trees woods and wildlife

Oak, holm

With its evergreen leaves, the holm oak is a bold splash of colour in the winter months. It was first introduced in the 1500s and, though it’s not as adapted as our native oaks, it supports plenty of our wildlife.

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.

Trees woods and wildlife

Bluebell

Enchanting and iconic, bluebells are a favourite with the fairies and a sure sign spring is in full swing. The violet glow of a bluebell wood is an incredible wildflower spectacle. 

Trees woods and wildlife

Beard lichens

Dripping off the trees in clean-air woodlands, these beautiful bushy beard lichens adorn branches and trunks. 

Trees woods and wildlife

Oyster mushroom

Carnivorous and oyster-like in appearance, these large, fleshy mushrooms are common throughout the UK's woodlands. They have a signature fan-shaped cap and are edible with a slight odour similar to aniseed.

Trees woods and wildlife

Musk beetle

Aromatic and iridescent. Spot this musk-scented longhorn beetle glimmering on the trunks of trees.

Trees woods and wildlife

Comma

Tough, charming, rough around the edges. The comma is one of the few butterflies that is becoming more widespread, likely due to global warming.

Trees woods and wildlife

Goldfinch

Seed-eating specialists with a bright red face. Goldfinches are perfectly adapted to access food other birds can’t reach.

Trees woods and wildlife

Brown trout

A powerful predator and an iconic British fish, the brown trout is a common sight in streams and rivers throughout the UK.

Blog

Stick crafts and activities for kids

Sticks have endless possibilities! From Poohsticks to twig towers and journey sticks to stick men, we've got plenty of ideas for your family to try on your next woodland walk.

Danielle Wesley  •  04 Nov 2019

Blog

UK hawk-moth identification and facts

Hawk-moths are some of the largest and most recognisable moths in the UK. Learn to tell which is which with our visual guide to 10 of the most commonly encountered UK species.

Amy Lewis  •  21 Jun 2021

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.

Protecting trees and woods

Subsidence and trees

How do you know whether your home has subsidence? And how do you know if a tree is causing it? Find out more about subsidence and trees.

Trees woods and wildlife

Red-necked longhorn beetle

The red-necked longhorn beetle is native to eastern Asia and is a serious threat to trees in the genus Prunus like cherries and plums. Its larvae tunnel and feed under the bark and in the wood causing low fruit yield and possible death.

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.