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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.

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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.

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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.

Trees woods and wildlife

Elm, Huntingdon

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

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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.

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Creating a wood for conservation, community and coppicing

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

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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.