Forestry Commission

08/06/2026

It's Great Big Green Week, encouraging community action for nature and the climate.

At Salts Wood in Boughton Monchelsea, Kent, they used our England Woodland Creation Offer to plant new woodland to benefit wildlife and the environment, and create accessible space for the community to enjoy.

Watch the full short film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF8veNIn30E...

06/06/2026

If you’re looking for a rewarding career that supports the environment, forestry could be for you.

Whether you’re just starting your forestry career journey or looking to change careers, there are courses, training and other routes into working in forestry.

Never has there been a more important time for trees, woodlands, and forests to help tackle the climate emergency.

See our guidance about the possible routes into working in forestry: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/career-paths-and-training-in-forestry

05/06/2026

It's World Environment Day! Our NEW blog post from our Woodland and Climate Change Adaptation Adviser, David, looks at future-proofing woodlands and forests against climate change using key guidance from the UK Forestry Standard.

As the pace of change accelerates, so must our approach to woodland management. What were once extreme and rare weather-related events are now occurring on a more frequent basis.

David uses his experiences with his own wood in Lincolnshire to explore challenges facing woodland owners and managers across the UK.

"I planted Rose Wood in 2016, which has had to contend with five flooding events, two heatwaves, three droughts and little typical winter weather" says David. "In the past, that number of drought and flooding events may have happened during the whole lifespan of the trees, not just their first ten years."

Read more: https://forestrycommission.blog.gov.uk/2026/06/05/future-proofing-our-woodlands-and-forests-against-climate-change/

Image: Rose Wood, Lincolnshire, showing flooding over several weeks in October 2023/David White.

04/06/2026

Here's our team at the the Royal Cornwall Show in Wadebridge today, along with partners The Woodland Trust, Forest for Cornwall, and Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group.

We'll be at the show today, tomorrow and Saturday, so come along and talk trees with us. We're in the woodland area and farmer’s hub offering advice on creating and managing woodland, and on agroforestry - the practice of integrating trees into farming.

04/06/2026

What events are you looking forward to attending this month? There are a range of in-person and online events coming up where you can meet the Forestry Commission and find out more about planting trees and woodland, including...

🌳 Royal Cornwall Show, 4 to 6 June. We'll be in the woodland area and farmer’s hub where we will offer advice on woodland creation, woodland management and agroforestry.

🌲 Cereals, 10 & 11 June at Diddly Squat Farm in Oxfordshire. Our Land Use Advisors will be on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs stand sharing practical ideas about integrating trees, woodland and forestry into your farm business.

🌳 Tree Production Innovation Fund: how to apply, 18 June (online)
This fund is currently open for applications to supports projects designed to overcome barriers to domestic tree production. Come along to this webinar to find out more about how to apply.

🌲 Getting trees in the ground, 30 June (online)
Learn how to get trees in the ground, from understanding your England Woodland Creation Offer agreement to working with nurseries and contractors. Our speakers will share their practical planting experience in this webinar aimed at landowners and land managers.

Find these and more events here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/forestry-commission-events

03/06/2026

Our England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) is open all year round for applications.

At Cabilla Manor Farm on the southwestern edge of Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, Merlin planted 40,000 trees using EWCO funding.

"We're not talking about taking a farm and making a forest" says Merlin. "We're talking about taking a farm that doesn't have very many trees on it, and planting a lot of trees so it becomes an agroforestry system, which is actually far more natural.

"We were looking to expand and restore the Atlantic temperate rainforest that we have in the valley here. But doing it in a way that allowed us to have a resilient and sustainable farm business model at the same time."

See our full short film about Cabilla Manor Farm's tree planting story: https://youtu.be/6f53qCFX-R0?si=3ClebSa22K8_XNW8

02/06/2026

02/06/2026

Planting the right tree in the right place can help reduce the impacts of storm and flood water and alleviate the impact of drought, improve water quality, reduce soil erosion, and help keep rivers cool.

You can find out more in our woods and water guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-benefits-of-woodland-creation-woods-and-water/the-benefits-of-woodland-creation-woods-and-water

01/06/2026

We're urging people to be alert to oak processionary moth caterpillars and their nests as we enter the peak season for this pest of oak trees.

The caterpillars – predominantly found in South East England – descend down oak trees in head-to-tail procession, earning them their name. They feed on the leaves as they move, which can negatively impact the tree's growth. This can weaken the tree and leave it more vulnerable to other stresses, such as diseases.

“The warm weather in spring has led to oak processionary moth growing more quickly than in previous years and we may see higher infestation levels" says our Oak Processionary Moth Programme Manager, Dr Ed Straw.

Oak processionary moth caterpillars are covered in long hairs that can cause itchy rashes, eye and throat irritation and should not be touched under any circumstances.

They also form silky white nests, ranging in size from as small as a 50 pence piece to as large as a melon. These nests discolour over the season, appearing dirty and brown by August. The nests also contain the hairs, and similarly should not be touched. The nests can be found on the trunk or the underside of branches of oak trees. Never try and remove or dispose of the nests yourself.

If you spot this tree pest, do not touch or get close to the caterpillars or nests. Please report the sighting via our TreeAlert portal.

Find out more: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/warning-on-oak-processionary-moth-issued-ahead-of-peak-season

01/06/2026

Did you know? Our 'Keep It Clean' campaign has been running for ten years!

As part of the campaign we've encouraged simple, evidence-based actions that help slow the potential spread of harmful tree pests and diseases across our woodlands and forests.

Research shows that even basic cleaning can significantly reduce the likelihood of transporting disease-causing organisms (called pathogens).

By taking a few simple actions between visits, you can help reduce the spread of pests and diseases by:

✅ using a stiff brush and water, remove all soil and organic material from boots, bike tyres, tools and equipment until they are visibly clean

✅ encouraging others to take similar precautions when out and about

Wherever possible, carry out cleaning on a hard surface such as paving or gravel, rather than near streams, rivers or drains. When muddy water is allowed to dry on a hard surface, it removes the moisture and organic material that many pests and diseases need to survive.

Our Biosecurity and Awareness Manager, Becki, says: "Just as taking litter home has become second nature, it’s important that everyday biosecurity becomes a normal part of enjoying our woodlands and forests."

Read more in Becki's blog: https://forestrycommission.blog.gov.uk/2026/05/11/celebrating-10-years-of-our-keep-it-clean-tree-health-campaign-how-simple-actions-protect-our-trees