Forestry Commission

22/09/2026

22/09/2026

Do you own, manage, or work in a woodland? What's your biosecurity routine?

As autumn brings wetter and muddier conditions, the risk of spreading some tree pests and diseases can increase.

Biosecurity measures, including cleaning boots, tools and vehicles, help minimise the amount of soil, water and plant material we move between woodland sites, reducing the risk of introducing or spreading harmful tree pests and diseases.

Our biosecurity guidance for forestry professionals explains the practical precautions you can take: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prevent-the-introduction-and-spread-of-tree-pests-and-diseases -professionals

21/09/2026

Today marks the start of FSC Forest Week (21 to 27 September 2026) highlighting the importance of sustainable forest management with this year's theme of ‘Do One Thing for Forests’.

In our NEW blog post, we asked six organisations working across UK forestry to share one practical thing they are doing for forests.

Forestry England, Soil Association, Sylva Foundation and ercol, The Tree Council, RSPB, and Research all tell us an action they're taking, whether it's helping more people discover the benefits of agroforestry, or highlighting the value of home-grown timber.

Read the blog: https://forestrycommission.blog.gov.uk/2026/09/21/do-one-thing-for-forests

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

18/09/2026

Will you be at the Association of Professional Foresters (APF) Exhibition at Ragley Estate Warwickshire next week (24 to 26 September)?

We'll be there with Forestry England and Forest Research on stand number 1745. Come along and say hello.

We'll also be participating in ‘Talking Forestry’, a new free series of short talks and panel discussions in the APF seminar tent.

17/09/2026

At the 500-acre Hilley Farm in Shropshire they have incorporated trees into their family-run dairy farm.

The trees provide numerous welfare benefits for their cattle, as well as supporting nature.

Before planting began, the woodland was also registered with the Woodland Carbon Code .

Find out more about Hilley Farm's woodland journey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQSpXvaH2Pw

16/09/2026

Organisations across the forestry sector are preparing to take part in the first Forestry Workforce Census for more than 20 years to help build an up-to-date picture of the forestry operations workforce in Great Britain.

The Census will capture the size of the forestry workforce and the scale of forestry operations, providing vital evidence to support the future of the sector. To reflect seasonal roles, organisations are asked to complete the Census on 1 October 2026 and 1 March 2027.

Organisations involved in any of the following forestry operations can participate, whether a sole trader, small business or large organisation:

- Tree production and nursery operations
- Planning
- Ground preparation, planting, establishment and maintenance
- Woodland management
- Harvesting
- Timber extraction and haulage
- Surveying and inventory work

The Census should be completed by an employer or senior decision-maker on behalf of the organisation – not by individual employees.

Find out more: https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/about-us/our-work/be-counted-take-part-in-forestry-workforce-census-great-britain/

The Forestry Workforce Census has been launched by Forest Research on behalf of the Forestry Commission, Scottish Forestry, and Welsh Government.

14/09/2026

In the winter of 2017/18, the owners of Breach Park Farm in South Oxfordshire planted 5.73 hectares of new mixed broadleaf and conifer woodland with support from our Countryside Stewardship Woodland Creation grant.

In our NEW blog post, Sarah Dixon, the farm's owner and one of our Woodland Ambassadors, shares her experience of planning, planting and caring for that new woodland as it grows, and their plans to open it up for the benefit of the wider community.

"Our vision is for the woodland to become a place where people can come and simply be" says Sarah. "Forest school sessions for local children, wellbeing days for adults, quiet opportunities to reconnect with the natural world."

Read more: https://forestrycommission.blog.gov.uk/2026/09/14/from-bare-field-to-thriving-woodland-the-next-chapter-at-breach-park-farm/

Image: Sarah Dixon

12/09/2026

Can you help track autumn across the nation's forests?

Forestry England would like you to log the colours you see in the forest using their NEW autumn colour tracker.

This simple online tracker allows you to record the colours of the leaves, the site you’re in, the date you visited, and the tree species.

Your observations will appear on their Autumn Leaf Watch map and will form part of a nationwide citizen science project tracking autumn colour across the country.

Check the map and submit your sightings: forestryeng.land/autumn-leaf-watch

11/09/2026

The UK imports around 80 per cent of the timber it consumes. How do we ensure we meet Britain’s timber supply needs alongside the other benefits that woods and trees bring, including for recreation, net zero and nature?

This will be the topic of discussion for our Chief Executive Richard Stanford, and Chair Baroness Young at this year's Association of Professional Foresters (APF) event.

Join them for the talk in the APF seminar tent (stand 1680-1735) on Thursday 24 September from 2.30pm.

It's one of a series of 'Talking Forestry' events at the APF this year. Forest Research, the Forestry Commission and Forestry England have worked with Confor and sponsors Tilhill Forestry to develop this event series.
View the full programme and book: https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/news/talking-forestry-26/