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Woodland creation appeal

Donate now to support our vital work, including the creation of life-giving new woodlands. With your help, we can build healthy habitats where precious wildlife can thrive.

Woodland creation is at the core of our vision for a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature. We’ve seen firsthand the extraordinary difference new woods can make for wildlife.

But woodland cover across the UK is shockingly low – just 13.5%, well below the European average of 38%. Many of our precious wildlife species are paying the price.

Native bird numbers have declined by 37% during the last 50 years. Butterfly populations have declined by 47% in the last 30 years. Hedgehog numbers are down by around half in some areas. To give nature a fighting chance of recovery, we need to at least triple the rate of woodland creation.

Will you donate today to support our vital work, including the creation of life-giving new woodland? With your help, we can build healthy habitats where precious wildlife can nest, burrow, breed and thrive.

To fight against the biodiversity crisis, we need to triple the rate of woodland creation.

Credit: Markus Varesvuo / Alamy Stock Photo

We know what’s possible when the right trees are planted in the right places.

Carefully planned new woods can support a rich array of specialist wildlife – from delicate wildflowers, moths and butterflies to powerful raptors and red-listed birds. Since our inception in 1972, with the unwavering support of our members and supporters, we've planted over 68 million trees. Across the UK, we’ve transformed unproductive, barren land into thriving habitats filled with wildlife. 

Every tree planted is a step toward a healthier, more resilient landscape. We use woodland creation not just to support rare species, but to buffer and protect ancient woodland, connect fragmented habitats so vulnerable species can move through the landscape, help minimise the impact of climate change, and benefit the physical and mental wellbeing of people. 

With the right trees in the right places, land can be transformed into thriving habitats for wildlife.

Credit: John Bridges / WTML

From barren fields to vibrant young woodlands

Throughout the UK, our members and supporters have helped bring new life to damaged land. Here are just a few examples of what we’ve achieved together.

Credit: Sarah Wood / WTML

Smithills, Greater Manchester

Our largest site in England, Smithills is 685 hectares of incredible grassland, moor, ravines and bog. With help from our supporters, we bought it in 2017 and began planting 180,000 trees to enhance the existing mosaic of habitats. We’ve linked pockets of ancient woodland to form important corridors for wildlife to safely move through the landscape. Today, 21 species of butterfly such as green hairstreak and gatekeeper flit among the wild garlic and bluebells. Kingfisher, warbler and curlew can be heard calling and there are growing populations of lichens, lizards, newts and bats. 

Credit: David Kjaer / naturepl.com

Brynau Farm and Cefn Morfudd, Neath 

In the industrial heartland of Wales, Brynau Farm has become a 236-hectare sanctuary for nature. Since acquiring the land in 2019 and expanding it in 2024, we’ve transformed the site into a thriving young woodland and restored the ancient wood. Abandoned agricultural buildings have been resurrected into a secure home for our resident barn owl. Today, Brynau Farm supports a rich mix of wildlife, including threatened native species such as curlew and marsh fritillary butterfly. We’ve seen an increase in small mammals like vole and hare, which in turn attract apex predators such as kestrel and hobby. 

Credit: Paul Glendell / WTML

Lang Craigs, West Dunbartonshire 

Acquired in 2011, two once-barren glens at Lang Craigs are now flourishing 160-hectare woodlands. We’ve planted 235,000 native trees, with 13,000 planted by dedicated volunteers, and we’ve removed 30 hectares of invasive rhododendron to allow native flora to return naturally. The site has been a remarkable success with the woodlands providing a healthy habitat for wildlife, including over 75 species of birds like black grouse and peregrine falcon, and other diverse wildlife like brown hare and burying beetle.

Credit: Ben Lee / WTML

Langley Vale Wood, Surrey 

Spanning 240 hectares, Langley Vale is the largest of our four First World War Centenary Woods. Acquired in 2014, it now boasts over 170,000 native trees, creating 100 hectares of new woodland that buffers an existing ancient wood. Some of the site has been left to natural colonisation. Once arable land, Langley Vale is now a natural haven for rare plants, wildflowers, butterflies, small mammals, birds and raptors. Many red-listed birds have been recorded here, including cuckoo, skylark and lapwing. 

Credit: Ben Lee / WTML

Yonder Oak Wood, Devon 

Located in a rural valley in East Devon, Yonder Oak Wood is 54 hectares of open land and broadleaved woodlands. Since its purchase in 2022, 850 volunteers have planted 13,000 trees and tree top nest boxes have been installed to attract colonies of wild bees. In time, we hope to encourage rare wildlife like nightjar, hazel dormouse and dingy skipper butterfly to breed here. We’re also hoping to attract beavers from a nearby river, once the site has been restored and planted with native trees such as alder and willow. Public access is planned for 2026, so everyone can enjoy this emerging woodland haven. 

Credit: Jill Jennings / WTML

Cabin Wood, County Tyrone

One of 50 new ‘Woods On Your Doorstep’ in Northern Ireland to mark the millennium, Cabin Wood was planted with 12,000 trees by the local community. Today, the young wood is a rich habitat for birds such as stonechat, grey wagtail, jay, barn owl and kestrel, and mammals like Daubenton’s bat. Ancient woodland indicators like bluebell, celandine, primrose and wood anemone suggest the wood is long established. 

Credit: Richard Faulks / WTML

Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Wood, Leicestershire

Planted in 2012 to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, this flourishing young woodland lies in the heart of the National Forest. The new planting buffers an ancient woodland, with a canopy of native trees. Every spring, the ancient woodland bursts into colour with bluebells and wood anemone covering the forest floor. Despite being young, the wood is full of birdlife. You can spot skylark, buzzard and the rare hen harrier and alongside wetland habitats, birds like tufted duck, tern and mallard can be found. The wood also welcomes wildlife such as the stunning marbled white butterfly and white brown hare. 

Help us create more healthy habitats for wildlife

Expanding native woodland and creating tree-rich habitats to benefit nature, climate and people is at the heart of what we do. It’s difficult and expensive work, and we can’t continue without the ongoing generosity of our supporters. 

Will you donate today to support our work, including the creation of wildlife-rich new native woodland? Your donation can make a real, lasting difference.

Prefer to donate offline?

By phone 

Call us on 0330 333 3300 between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, and our friendly team will be there to assist.

By post

Send a cheque to our head office at Woodland Creation Appeal, Woodland Trust, Kempton Way, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 6LL. Please make cheques payable to the Woodland Trust.