Forestry Commission

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Forestry Commission Providing expertise and support in order to protect, connect, improve and expand England's woodlands

The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woodlands. If you have a question, the quickest way to get a response is to contact the relevant team via email or phone. Find out how on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/forestry-commission/about/access-and-opening.

Woodlands are excellent habitats for hedgehogs as they provide...🦔 Natural shelter such as fallen leaves, logs, and dens...
24/10/2026

Woodlands are excellent habitats for hedgehogs as they provide...

🦔 Natural shelter such as fallen leaves, logs, and dense undergrowth, where hedgehogs can hide from predators and rest during the day.

🦔 Abundant food supply of insects, snails, worms, and other invertebrates, which are key components of a hedgehog's diet.

🦔 A more stable microclimate, protecting hedgehogs from extreme temperatures and harsh weather conditions.

🦔 Spacious habitat. The diverse structure of woodland, with its layers of canopy, shrub, and ground vegetation, allows hedgehogs to move around easily and find suitable nesting sites.

Read our blog about how to make your woodland a home for hedgehogs: https://forestrycommission.blog.gov.uk/2025/01/31/is-your-woodland-a-home-for-hedgehogs/

Image: Simon Bound

Have you been following the NEW series of Forestry Commission blogs exploring the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS)? The UKFS ...
23/10/2026

Have you been following the NEW series of Forestry Commission blogs exploring the UK Forestry Standard (UKFS)?

The UKFS is the technical standard for sustainable forest management across the UK and applies to all woodland, regardless of who owns or manages it.

So far, the blog series has explored four key elements of the UKFS...

🌳 climate change

🌲 biodiversity

🌳 water

🌲 people

The next in the series will be published next week (26 October) focusing on how the UKFS supports designing woodland with its surrounding landscape in mind. Don't miss it!

If you need more help to understand and apply the UK Forestry Standard, the Silvestor online hub offers e-learning courses aimed at both forestry professionals and non-foresters.

https://forestrycommission.blog.gov.uk/tag/ukfs/

Many farmers are already planting trees in ways that complement food production, from integrating trees into grazing and...
22/10/2026

Many farmers are already planting trees in ways that complement food production, from integrating trees into grazing and arable systems through agroforestry, to creating new woodland on less productive areas of land.

Woodland creation does not need to involve large-scale planting. Smaller farm woodlands, shelterbelts, riparian planting and strategic blocks of trees can all contribute to broader farm business objectives.

There is a wide range of funding, advice and practical guidance to help you get started.

The NEW blog from Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) highlights resources to help you decide whether tree planting is right for you and your land, the funding available, and guidance on bringing existing woodland into management.

Read it now: https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/2026/10/20/putting-trees-to-work-on-your-farm/

Our Spruce Site Assessment grant has had a successful first year, helping 41 landowners survey more than 2,450 hectares ...
21/10/2026

Our Spruce Site Assessment grant has had a successful first year, helping 41 landowners survey more than 2,450 hectares of woodland to tackle the threat of the destructive tree pest Ips typographus - also known as the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle.

The grant launched in October 2025 to help landowners better understand the extent and condition of their spruce and identify opportunities for proactive management. This helps them take the first steps to reduce the risk of infestation and protect the health of their woodland. It forms part of the government’s wider approach to tree health.

The Spruce Site Assessment is open for applications, with a limited number of spaces available.

Find out more about eligibility and how to apply, as well as more news from the first year of this grant scheme: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/grant-helps-landowners-survey-thousands-of-hectares-of-spruce-woodland

If you're a landowner or land manager considering issues like how to give your new woodland the best chance to thrive du...
19/10/2026

If you're a landowner or land manager considering issues like how to give your new woodland the best chance to thrive during increasingly dry spring and summer conditions, join our webinar this Wednesday (21 October, 1pm to 2pm).

It's the fourth in our ‘Planning to planting’ webinar series. Speakers will include our Woodland Resilience Advisor, Chris Watson, as well as Martin Hole, who will share his experience of establishing new woodland at Montague Farm in East Sussex.

Reserve your FREE place: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/managing-new-woodland-tickets-1992045671227

We're providing support for tree replacement following drought conditions. It's available for trees planted under specif...
19/10/2026

We're providing support for tree replacement following drought conditions. It's available for trees planted under specific grant schemes in England.

The Extra Payment for Replanting under Eligible Criteria (EPREC) provides funding to help sustain trees and woodland planted in the 2025 to 2026 planting season that have died due to the prolonged period of hot and dry weather.

Those with England Woodland Creation Offer, Urban Tree Challenge Fund, and Local Authority Tree Fund agreements will be sent an invitation to apply. Invitations will also be sent to agreement holders yet to submit their final claim who may have planted last year.

Applications for the funding close on Sunday 15 November 2026. Find out more about eligibility and how to apply:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/support-for-tree-replacement-following-drought-conditions

Some of our Tree Health Champions from across the Forestry Commission and Forestry England were in Oxford yesterday to m...
16/10/2026

Some of our Tree Health Champions from across the Forestry Commission and Forestry England were in Oxford yesterday to mark Biology Week with the Royal Society of Biology.

It was great to catch up with Animal and Plant Health Agency, Fera and others on issues including biosecurity and ways of enthusing young people about plant health.

We also heard more from the team at Oxford University Parks about how they care for their trees in the busy, popular parks, and toured the 400-year-old University of Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum. Thanks for an informative day!

Are you choosing and ordering new trees ready for the planting season?To help protect against pests and diseases, order ...
15/10/2026

Are you choosing and ordering new trees ready for the planting season?

To help protect against pests and diseases, order biosecure stock from Plant Healthy Certified nurseries or similar, such as stock with a successful ‘Ready to Plant’ assessment.

Find advice on sourcing biosecure trees: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tree-planting-and-woodland-creation-resources -for-planting

14/10/2026

Farmer Lee Pedley and his family have been introducing more trees onto their farm in Cornwall.

This planting season they’ll plant another 5,000 trees with funding from our England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO). They’ll also receive additional payments as the new woodland will improve nature recovery and water quality.

Find out more about their story: https://treeplantinggrants.campaign.gov.uk/

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