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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.

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

Visiting woods

Spring's vital signs report 2025 

Find out about how frogspawn, blackthorn and song thrush are affected by a changing climate. 

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

Black hairstreak

One of the rarest butterflies in the UK and the rarest hairstreak, the black hairstreak is beautiful but elusive.

Press centre

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

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

Trees woods and wildlife

Brown hairstreak

An elegant butterfly with a shy reputation, the brown hairstreak spends most of its time high in the tree tops, flitting around woodland edges and hedges in the late summer sunshine.

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