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Trees woods and wildlife
Bees, wasps and ants
Bees, wasps and ants all form part of the insect order Hymenoptera, a large and diverse group made up of 'membrane-winged' insects.
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Blog
Why are bees important? And how you can help them
Bees are important for wildlife, for woods and trees, and even for our own lives. Find out why, discover why bees are in trouble and learn how you can help them.
Charlotte Varela • 26 Apr 2023
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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
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Blog
Where do bees go in winter?
Ever wondered where bees go in winter? Find out where different species of bee go when the weather gets cold, and when to spot them emerging.
Charlotte Varela • 18 Nov 2022
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Woodland Trust Wood
Beeslack Wood
Penicuik
13.31 ha (32.89 acres)
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National Trust Wood
Manifold Valley - Beeston Tor
Staffordshire
3.44 ha (8.50 acres)
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Trees woods and wildlife
Woodland wildlife
The UK's native woods and trees support a great diversity of living organisms. Our species guides explore the wildlife that depends on woodland, from plants and fungi to mammals, birds, bees and beetles.
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Leeds City Council Wood
Beeston Royd
West Yorkshire
4.86 ha (12.01 acres)
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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
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Trees woods and wildlife
Tree bumblebee
A new arrival and a welcome addition to the UK's bumblebees. This enterprising bee has quickly set up home across Britain and happily takes to nest boxes provided by kindly gardeners.
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Blog
How to build a bee hotel
Help bees by building them a bee hotel to lay their eggs. Read our step-by-step guide.
Hannah Vickers • 17 Apr 2020
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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
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Blog
7 blossom crafts and activities for kids
Discover fun blossom crafts and activities to enjoy with your children this spring.
Danielle Wesley • 11 Mar 2022
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Foxglove
Beautiful but deadly. This familiar flower has the power to cure and kill.
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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.
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Woodland Trust Wood
Owlet
Blyton
50.41 ha (124.56 acres)
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Salford Metropolitan Borough Council Wood
Worsley Woods
Greater Manchester
34.80 ha (85.99 acres)
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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.
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Blog
How to build a bug hotel
Help insects and other minibeasts by building a bug hotel in your garden or outside space. You’ll need some old plant pots, sticks and pine cones.
Danielle Wesley • 05 Sep 2019
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Blog
Is ivy poisonous?
Discover whether ivy is poisonous and learn more about where it grows, how to take care of it in your garden and why it’s a great plant for wildlife.
Kate Lewthwaite • 17 Aug 2021
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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
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Press centre
Center Parcs ancient woodland plans are not warranted
Read our president Clive Anderson's view on Center Parcs' proposals to turn precious ancient woodland into a new holiday resort in Sussex.
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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.
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Blog
6 rare moths that depend on UK trees
The UK is home to a number of moths that depend on trees. Explore moth species that you'd be lucky to encounter on a woodland walk.
Julia Lock • 12 Jul 2022
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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.
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Blog
12 uncommon and rare woodland flowers
Woodland is home to some of the UK's rarest flowering plants. Some are weird. Some are mysterious. And all have fascinating stories to tell. You'll be lucky to track down some of these beauties, but they're worth it if you do.
Amy Lewis • 26 Jan 2018
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Blog
Woodland Walks podcast with Adam Shaw - Priory Grove, Monmouth
Discover the fascinating ancient art of coppicing as we visit Priory Grove in the Wye Valley, where the technique is still practised to benefit people and wildlife.
Adam Shaw • 25 Aug 2023
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Cowslip
Simple yet lovely, cowslips are synonymous with spring and Easter. Find them in woods and meadows during springtime.
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Blog
Otters in our woods - where to find them
Did you know the clean rivers and shrubby banks of some of our woods are ideal habitat for otters? Follow our top tips for otter-spotting and find a waterside woodland near you.
Charlie Mellor • 02 Feb 2021
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Woodland Trust Wood
Views Wood
Uckfield
24.72 ha (61.08 acres)
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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.
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Press centre
Woodland Trust helps National Trust plant 70-acre wood on Wimpole Farm
The Woodland Trust and National Trust are planting 90,000 trees to transform a working farm into a haven for wildlife, including a new wood celebrating The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
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Blog
How to increase biodiversity in your garden
Every garden has the potential to be a haven for wildlife. From planting for pollinators to embracing a little mess, here are some easy ways to increase biodiversity in your garden.
Charlotte Varela • 07 Apr 2023
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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.
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Blog
What is the difference between a bug and a beetle?
The words 'bug' and 'beetle' are often used interchangeably, but there’s actually a big difference between bugs and beetles. Learn how to tell them apart.
Charlotte Varela • 06 Jun 2023
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Blog
7 ways for kids to help garden wildlife
Read our top tips on how kids can help support garden wildlife, from planting trees to making a bug hotel.
Danielle Wesley • 18 Aug 2021
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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
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Blog
10 ways to help wildlife in winter
Wildlife will appreciate a helping hand in winter. From practical outdoor activities to the comfort of your armchair, check out our ten top tips to make a difference this season.
Charlie Mellor • 07 Dec 2023
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Blog
7 homemade gift ideas for Christmas
Take a look at our ideas for homemade Christmas gifts that are thoughtful, affordable and easy-to-make.
Charlie Mellor • 12 Oct 2023
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Blog
How invasive non-native species threaten our woods
Invasive species impact our environment and wildlife, are costly to the economy, and can even pose a risk to our health. Find out what you can do to help.
Sally Bavin • 05 Oct 2023
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About us
Our trustees
We, like every other UK charity, are governed by a group of trustees who make up the Board. Learn more about them and their work with the Trust.
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Climate change
How does climate change affect timings in nature?
For nature to thrive, timing is everything. But seasonal events are happening earlier, with disastrous knock-on effects for native wildlife. Find out how you can help.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Lily-of-the-valley
Charming, sweetly scented and highly poisonous, lily-of-the-valley is a romantic woodland stunner.
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National Trust Wood
Dunwich Heath
Suffolk
8.95 ha (22.12 acres)
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Privately owned Wood
L.R.C. - Murieston
West Lothian
1.03 ha (2.55 acres)
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Blog
Alternative charity gifts for Christmas
Our shop offers a huge variety of gifts with something for everyone for Christmas. Here are our top ideas for alternative charity gifts for the festive season.
Charlie Mellor • 19 Dec 2023
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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.
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Blog
Tree ID for kids
Help youngsters learn how to identify trees through the seasons with our tree-spotting activities.
Danielle Wesley • 02 Mar 2020
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Blog
How and when to plant fruit trees
Find out how to choose the best fruit tree for you and your garden, when and where to plant them and the benefits they bring for wildlife.
Helen Keating • 05 Nov 2020
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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.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Common gorse
With bright, beaming yellow flowers with the scent of coconut, common gorse is a sight to behold.
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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.
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Woodland Trust Wood
Martinshaw Wood
Ratby & Groby
102.84 ha (254.12 acres)
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Privately owned Wood
Roundway Hill Covert
Wiltshire
29.21 ha (72.18 acres)