Plant - The Woodland Trust

The
Woods
Today
News from the Woodland Trust
Summer 2014
PLANTING
CAMPAIGNS
RESTORATION
CONSERVATION
PEOPLE
Welcome
A wood to remember
Welcome to the summer issue of The Woods Today, the magazine
that aims to bring you up to speed with everything that’s
happening here at the Woodland Trust. We are a busy, thriving
charity, so there’s plenty to get excited about.
Our biggest news is the unveiling of the four sites the Trust
has earmarked for our new Centenary Woods, which will stand
as a living memorial to the First World War. Millions of trees will
be planted in the special woods, one each in England, Scotland,
Wales and Northern Ireland, all with wildflower meadows, open
glades and fields of remembrance for quiet reflection. Discover
your nearest site and find out how you can help on page 8.
Over the last century the decline in the UK’s ancient woodland
has been catastrophic. Today we know the priceless value of this
rare habitat, yet would-be developers still chip away at what
remains. With High Speed 2 looming and changes to planning law
opening up loopholes, we say Enough is Enough. Add your voice to
our campaign on page 10, and do your bit to halt the losses today.
One person rallying to the cause is our new chief executive
Beccy Speight, who joins us after 14 years at the National Trust.
Beccy is passionate, has big ideas and really knows her stuff,
so we’re immensely excited to have her. Get to know Beccy on
page 2 of our 2013 Annual Review, enclosed with this magazine.
Lastly, I’d like to thank you for everything you do to help the
UK’s woods and trees. Our work to protect, restore and expand
precious woodland would not be possible without your support.
Photo: iStock / Nekada. Cover image: Andrew Walmsley / naturepl.com
Nicola Nicholls
Chair of Trustees
Summer 2014 The Woods Today 3
Contents
life
ild
W
Landowners
07 Planting
Communities
Unveiling the four sites for the
Trust’s landmark First World War
woods. Plus: meet the arable
farmer who’s turned to cider!
ools
Sch
Pl
an
re
u
t
r
Nu
t
Tr
Ou
re
sta t
Citizen science
ee di
ts
ner
t
r
a
P
10 Campaigning
How an army of 50,000
Trust supporters took our
drive to safeguard ancient
woods to Downing Street.
Petitions
12 Restoration
Protect
Am
bas
sad
ors
G
ift
Restore
Membership
Legacies
fle
Raf
Trees
S hop
Volunteering
illustration: Paper rhino
Government
s
After 1,000 years of history,
Old Wood was on the brink of
extinction. Read how the Trust
has nursed it back to life.
4 The Woods Today Summer 2014
As summer blossoms, the woods are
buzzing with wildlife. Here are some
favourite species – and news about
the Trust’s efforts to preserve them.
Companies
Protes
Trust member Roger Jefcoate
is on a mission to recolonise his
corner of England with one of our
rarest native trees. That makes
him extremely poplar with us...
16 Conservation
e
Lobbying
14 Membership
sease
Enga
ge
H
ome
war
es
18 Partnerships
When not peddling pottery, Emma
Bridgewater is dreaming about trees.
Meet the Trust’s newest supporter.
20 Products and prizes
A cornucopia of treats from the
Woodland Trust shop – plus your
chance to win a weekend break.
ations
dic
e
D
The Woods Today
Published every summer
and winter for our supporters and
members, The Woods Today is the
news digest of the Woodland Trust.
The Woodland Trust
Kempton Way, Grantham, Lincs
NG31 6LL. Call 0800 026 9650;
woodstoday@woodlandtrust.org.uk
Summer 2014 The Woods Today 5
The apple
of his eye
Pioneering farmer David Rose is growing apples
among his arable crops, as part of a new Woodland
Trust scheme to encourage more trees on farms
L
Grand Tour of Namibia
17 nights from £3395
Grand Hotel on Lake Como
7 nights from £795
Cruise the waterways of France between
Lyon and Arles, visiting Mâcon, Vienne,
Avignon, Viviers and the Camargue
nature reserve. Enjoy the beauty of its
cities, towns and villages, with included
excursions and drinks on board.
Experience Namibia’s dramatic scenery
and varied wildlife, visiting Windhoek,
the Kalahari Desert, Fish River Canyon,
the dunes of Sossusvlei, Swakopmund,
Palmwag, Etosha National Park and the
Mount Etjo area. VJV Special Event.
Elegant Lake Como takes its dream-like
beauty from flower-filled gardens and
lakeside towns set against the backdrop
of the southern Alps. Enjoy a week at the
4-star Grand Hotel Menaggio with optional
visits to Milan, Bergamo and St. Moritz.
pHIL lockwood
Colours of Provence & Beaujolais
7 nights full board from £1525
AMBING DAYS, breadmaking workshops,
pig-keeping, ponddipping, even yoga. When it
comes to farm diversification,
David Rose has spread the seeds
of change wide, turning his
Nottinghamshire arable farm into
a fully fledged ‘ecocentre’ with
help from the Woodland Trust.
David’s principles are all about
sustainable husbandry and
community involvement, and
planting trees is central to that.
His latest wheeze is to stripe his
wheat fields with rows of apple
trees, in a bid to nourish the soil,
encourage wildlife and harvest
apples for cider-making. More
than 500 trees were planted in
a 7ha (17-acre) field last winter,
along with elder, sweet chestnut
Core business:
David Rose says
trees on farms work
and walnut, and David says he
can’t wait to see the benefits.
“It’s called alley cropping, and
the trees are sown around with
wildflowers in 3m strips, which
should encourage bees and other
bug-eating pollinators – we hope
this might reduce the need for
pesticides. We’ve bought a cider
press so our ecocentre visitors
can get involved with picking
and juicing the crop. We’re even
hoping the trees might improve
the yield from our wheat.”
The planting has been made
possible by the Trust’s Trees For
Your Farm scheme, funded by
the Accor Hotels group. Around
£60,000 is being spent planting
14,500 trees at farms across
the country, with cash for
15,000 more pledged for 2015.
The Trust’s Helen Chesshire
explains, “About 70% of Britain
is farmland, and we want to
free up more of that for trees.
The benefits to farmers are
wide: trees can offer shelter and
shade, offer wood fuel, and help
to reduce water pollution and
climate-proof the land against
flooding and erosion.”
Other agroforestry projects in
the works include a ‘tree fodder’
scheme in Shropshire, where
dairy cows will graze from limes,
hornbeams and sycamores.
To learn more about Trees For Your
Farms, visit woodlandtrust.org.uk/
farming. For events at David Rose’s
farm, visit eco-centre.org.uk
wtpl / pHIL formby
Plant
What’s new in...
Planting
“Planting trees is one of our
main aims: our target is to
double native woodland cover
over the next 50 years.
“Our woodland creation work
spans everything from our
online shop, where people can
buy a single sapling; through
Community Tree Packs, supplied
in their thousands every year;
and on to MOREwoods, our
scheme to help landowners
plant new woods. Since 2008
MOREwoods has helped plant
more than 1,300ha (3,212
acres) of trees. The Trust has
its own big creation projects
too, of course – just now it’s our
First World War Centenary
Woods (see overleaf).
“We are also working with the
Environment Agency to promote
more tree planting along rivers,
which reduces flooding and
improves the river habitat. Also
new is our Trees in Hedgerows
drive, which we’ll roll out across
the UK this autumn. Farmers
and landowners can apply for
part-funding to plant new
hedges linking woods – a great
way to create wildlife corridors
between woodland old and new.”
Emma Bird,
Woodland Creation team leader
Do your bit!
Would you like to plant
trees with the Woodland Trust?
To contact our MOREwoods
team or apply for a Community
Tree Pack, call 0845 293 5689
or visit woodlandtrust.org.uk/
plant-trees
Summer 2014 The Woods Today 7
Plant
Guthrie Aerial photography
The site is on the edge
of suburban Edinburgh
Pentland, Edinburgh
Scotland’s Centenary Wood is intimately
linked with the armed forces: the 40ha
(100-acre) site sits beside Edinburgh’s
Dreghorn Barracks, and parts are used for
military manoeuvres. Says site manager
Alan Mitchell: “We’re on the doorstep of the
city, and the site laps against the Pentland
Hills. Trench systems were dug here to
train troops sent to the First World War
battlefields, so the connections run deep.”
The Trust will plant at least 50,000 trees,
including an avenue of wild service trees
which will burn red every autumn, well timed
for Remembrance Day. “We plan planting
days in November and March,” adds Alan.
“We’d love everyone to get involved.”
woodlandtrust.org.uk/fwwpentland
Glenshane, Co Derry
Call 0845 293 5858 or visit woodlandtrust.org.uk/fww
8 The Woods Today Summer 2014
The flagship site for the Centenary Woods
project is tucked inside the M25 just south
of Epsom, a surprisingly rich countryside
of ancient woods and chalk grassland.
Simon Bateman, who is heading the
Trust’s plans at Langley Vale, says the
potential is vast: “We’ve got 58ha (144 acres)
of existing ancient woods, all criss-crossed
with open meadow like an old medieval
landscape. We’re already seeing masses of
bluebells, which is wonderful, and there is
lots of potential for orchids and other
chalk-loving species to regenerate – plus
the rare butterflies that go with them.”
The Trust plans to plant 200,000 native
saplings, including a 1km avenue of tallgrowing trees, flecked with wildflowers, and
a more manicured memorial to remember
those who served in the First World War.
Ultimately there will be miles of footpaths
and bridleways to enjoy. “Everyone’s invited
to join our guided walk here on June 28,”
adds Simon, “then there will be public
planting events this autumn.”
To donate to the Langley Vale project,
visit woodlandtrust.org.uk/fwwsurrey
woodlandtrust.org.uk/fwwglenshane
Red squirrels and kingfishers
sport beside the River Faughan
Ffos Las, Carmarthen
wtpl / rory francis
E
xciting plans to create four major new woods to
honour the heroes of the Great War are moving
forward fast, as the Trust unveils the sites chosen
for the project – one in each country of the UK. Almost half
a million trees will be planted in our Centenary Woods
across more than 300 hectares (800 acres) of England,
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, creating a vibrant
living memorial for those who played a role 100 years ago,
both at the front and at home. All four new woods are
profiled here, and planting gets underway this autumn, with
schools and armed service organisations mucking in.
“We can’t wait to get going,” says Pip Borrill, the Trust’s
project manager. “We’re still fundraising to buy the Welsh
land, and we urgently need people’s help to support all
four sites so that we can start planting this autumn.
“Sainsbury’s is pledging £1 million per year as lead sponsor,
alongside the Royal British Legion and the Cadets, and any
time now we’ll be launching the Dedicate a Tree scheme,
where people can donate £20, enabling us to dedicate a tree
in a Centenary Wood of their choosing.”
Langley Vale, Surrey
Tracy Dorman Photography
The Trust unveils the sites of four new woods
to mark the centenary of the First World War
wtpl / Simon Bateman
A peaceful oasis
“This will create a lasting memorial for the
whole of Ireland,” says the Trust’s Patrick
Cregg of the Glenshane Centenary Wood.
“At least 40,000 Irish people died in the
First World War, and we’ll plant a tree for
each of them, plus poppy-rich wildflower
meadows running down to the river.”
The wood will take root along the scenic
banks of the Faughan, south of Londonderry,
already a stronghold for red squirrels, otters
and kingfishers. It will include a memorial
arboretum with 40 larger trees, and create
a 10-mile circuit of footpaths for people to
explore. Says Patrick: “We’ll also be holding
a competition with schools and uniformed
organisations to design a sculpture to
mark this as a Centenary Wood.”
Bluebells, bats and dormice
would benefit at Ffos Las
A questionmark hangs over plans for the
Welsh Centenary Wood, since funds have
yet to be found to buy the site, beside the
new Ffos Las racecourse near Llanelli.
“It’s the perfect setting, but we urgently
need to raise £560,000,” explains the
Trust’s Jerry Langford. “We hope supporters
will chip in to help, including writing letters
of support. It would be such a pity if Wales
doesn’t have a wood to honour its war heroes.”
If successful, the project will transform
a former colliery site, adding 90,000
native trees to link with the Trust’s existing
Ffos Las Wood nearby, planted to mark
the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. “We hope to
create flower-rich glades and ponds to
encourage the native wildlife,” Jerry adds.
woodlandtrust.org.uk/fwwcymru
Summer 2014 The Woods Today 9
Protect
1879
How our woods
disappeared
2014
Buildings
and xxx
illustration: Paper rhino / © Landmark Information Group Ltd and Crown Copyright 2013.
These maps graphically illustrate
how the UK’s ancient woodland
has been decimated during the
20th century. Since 1879, almost
all of the irreplaceable woodland
in this 9km2 area of the Sussex
Weald at Haywards Heath has
been razed for development.
Austin Brady, the Trust’s Director
of Conservation, says: “In this area
it’s not just the loss of ancient
woods that’s so devastating, it’s
the loss of the heathland areas
in between, which once linked up
the landscape for wildlife.”
xx km
PM is told: save our woods!
More than 50,000 Trust
supporters urge David
Cameron to safeguard
UK’s ancient woodland
before it’s too late
F
ears for the future
of much-loved ancient
woods are being heard
where it matters most – in 10
Downing Street. Thousands of
Woodland Trust supporters have
added their voice to our ‘Enough
is Enough’ campaign, which is
pressing the Prime Minister to
give ancient woodland the
protection it deserves.
A sample of your messages is
included on these pages, and the
outcry led to the Trust meeting
the Environment Secretary Owen
Paterson in May. We left the
Minister in no doubt that ancient
10 The Woods Today Summer 2014
woodland is being let down by
current protection measures
which he believes to be adequate.
To qualify as ancient, a site
must have been continuously
wooded since at least the year
1600 (1750 in Scotland). Ancient
woodland is among our most
valuable ecosystems, but covers
just 2% of the UK and is not fully
protected by law. Right now 445
such woods are under threat from
development, including some
major infrastructure projects:
• Phase 1 of the proposed High
Speed 2 rail link will damage 27
ancient woods directly and a
further 21 woods indirectly,
ecological assessment by the
Trust has found, while a further
23 that we argue are ancient
would also be harmed.
The Second Reading of the HS2
Bill was passed in the Commons
in April, but unless plans change,
some woods will be sacrificed to
poor planning. For example, one
HS2 tunnel will end in the middle
of Mantle’s Wood in the Chilterns,
destroying more than 6ha (15
acres) of woodland that would
not suffer if it were extended by
less than one kilometre.
• Proposals for a second runway
at Gatwick Airport would result in
significant ancient woodland loss,
the Trust has warned. The Airports
Commission is probing whether
the UK needs more air capacity,
and the three possible options for
a Gatwick extension would all
destroy ancient woods – the
most harmful would see 7.7ha (19
acres) lost, including Rowley
Wood, south of the airport. The
consultation has seen more than
4,000 objectors raise concerns
about the ancient woodland on
site, and the Commission is due
to make its decision in 2015.
“Our ancient woods are rightly
called nature’s cathedrals,”
says Kaye Brennan, a senior
campaigner with the Trust, “but
they are not properly protected.
At our meeting the Secretary of
State was given eight ‘asks’ that
are mostly no, or low, cost.
“They include completing
and extending the existing
Ancient Woodland Inventory;
closing a planning loophole that
allows the development of
ancient woodland sites; declaring
more woods as protected Sites of
Special Scientific Interest; and
excluding ancient woodland from
biodiversity offsetting schemes.
It’s not too late to support our
Enough is Enough campaign: visit
woodlandtrust.org.uk/actnow
You say...
“I don’t want my children
to grow up having the
attitude that anything
can be destroyed because you can
just build or grow a new one. I want
them to value our ancient woods for
what they are – ancient.”
Sandy Walther, Newport
You say...
“How can it be that
buildings with listed
status seem to be offered
greater protection? As our local
lungs, these woods should have
at least equal status. ”
Mike Waller, Luton
You say...
“Politicians have got to
understand they can’t
keep concreting over
our precious countryside.”
Roland Jenner, Stockport
wtpl / pHIL formby
Ancient
Woodland
What’s new in...
Campaigning
“Campaigning is at the heart of
what the Trust does, and just
now we’re campaigning our
hearts out because woodland is
under threat on every front.
Some pressures are high-profile,
like HS2 and Gatwick Airport
(see left). Others get less media
interest, but are just as vital.
“For example, it’s three years
since the Government dropped
its controversial plans to sell off
public woodland, but we still
don’t know what its long-term
future will be. There’s been no
sign that the Government is
going to deliver on its promise
to create a body that would
hold the Public Forest Estate in
trust for the nation. And there
is no reason to delay.
“Meanwhile we are fighting
for individual woods all over
the UK: we currently have 445
woods under threat on our
books. Developers often claim
that damage will be ‘offset’
by tree-planting elsewhere
– which is a nonsense. Ancient
woodland is hundreds of years
old and cannot be replaced.
“Campaigning works best
when the case is right, but also
when we can show that people
care. It’s about head and heart.”
Matina Loizou,
Campaigns assistant
Make a stand
If you are concerned
about a wood under threat, we
can help. Email campaigning@
woodlandtrust.org.uk, or visit
woodlandtrust.org.uk/campaigning
Summer 2014 The Woods Today 1 1
Restore
The wood that
wouldn’t die
After 1,000 years of abuse and pillage, Lincolnshire’s
Old Wood is bursting with life again – and a shining
example of how ancient woodland can be restored
I
T HAS SURVIVED attacks by
medieval knights, Georgian
shipbuilders, paintball warriors
and even a First World War Zeppelin. But
despite the ravages of 1,000 years of
history, Old Wood is fighting back to
health thanks to the Woodland Trust.
The sprawling wood, five miles west of
Lincoln, dates back at least as far as the
Domesday Book (see below), when it was
listed as a deer park with a boundary 3.5
leagues long – that’s about 6 miles. And
over the ensuing centuries, as most of
England’s precious native woodland was
stripped away for farming and timber,
Old Wood’s venerable mix of oak, ash,
lime and maple clung on against all odds
– only to be felled after World War II and
replanted with commercial conifers. Once
a stronghold for nightingales, it soon
became a sterile place, devoid of wildlife.
Then, 16 years ago, came a new lease
of life: the wood was bought by the Trust
with a view to clearing the shady Scots
pines and Douglas firs and reviving the
broadleaf habitat. The work has been a
huge success – and an inspiration for the
Trust’s nationwide efforts to restore
ancient woods and the rich community
of wildflowers, butterflies, birds and
wtpl / pHIL formby
Trailblazer: the Trust’s
work at Old Wood is now
a model for woodland
restoration nationwide
What’s new in...
Yellow
archangel
mammals that depends upon them.
“It’s so heartening to see,” says Peter
Lowe, our original site manager at Old
Wood. “Take a walk through the wood
today, and it is full of colour and beauty
again. In summer you’ll see orchids, wild
strawberries and white admiral butterflies.
There are badgers, deer, and you’ll often
hear the hoot of an owl at nightfall.”
The 93ha (230-acre) wood, near the
village of Skellingthorpe, is much loved
by walkers, cyclists and horseriders. Its
rejuvenation is a model for how historic
woods can be come back from the brink.
As Peter explains: “Ancient woodland
is our most biodiverse land habitat,
supporting 232 rare and vulnerable
species, but only 2% survives, and well
over a third of that has been displaced
with conifer plantations. But we know the
soil still holds the seeds and spores of the
original native species, and our experience
at Old Wood proves that by gradually
thinning the conifers, the broadleaf wood
reawakens – remarkably swiftly, too.
“It’s a strategy we’re now repeating at
more than 150 of our own woods, and
from this year we’ll be recruiting private
landowners too (see right). It’s an exciting
new dawn for the UK’s ancient woodland.”
Wood avens
Greater
stitchwort
12 The Woods Today Summer 2014
bomb crater following a
botched German raid.
In the 1950s the Forestry
Commission sprayed the
wood with herbicides to
clear the broadleaf trees.
Later it was used for
paintballing, before the
Trust took over in 1998
with a vision to restore it.
Woodland Restoration team
Photography: rachel lee
bought by Christ’s Hospital,
which surveyed its timber
for potential shipbuilding.
Still the wood survived –
only for more than half to
be felled to create ‘homes
for heroes’ for the veterans
of the First World War.
That conflict also saw the
wood scarred by a Zeppelin
“This is a hugely exciting time
for us in woodland restoration.
Almost half of Britain’s ancient
woods are buried beneath
planted conifers, and it’s 10
years since research showed that
gradually thinning them, rather
than clear-felling, is the best
way to regenerate the native
broadleaf habitat. The Trust is
now working to restore more
than 150 of the woods in our
own estate. Recently we’ve
acquired Fingle Woods, a vast
and beautiful site on Dartmoor,
where we’re now busily
assessing the remnant species
of native flora and fauna, so
that restoration can begin.
“The big news this summer,
though, is the roll-out of our
£2.9 million scheme, supported
by the Heritage Lottery Fund,
to recruit private landowners
who are keen to convert their
conifer woods to broadleaf. Over
the next four years we hope to
get 1,200 landowners and
23,000ha (57,000 acres) of
woods signed up, in 10 target
regions from Exmoor to the
Cairngorms. It’s our best chance
to extend the spread of our
precious ancient woodland.”
Louise Hackett,
One wood, one thousand years of history
First recorded in the
Domesday Book in 1086,
Old Wood is also mentioned
in 14th-century court rolls,
which tell how “six knights
from Retford” broke down
its fences to hunt deer.
In the Civil War it was
seized by Parliamentarians,
and a century later it was
Restoration
Can you help?
Wood
speedwell
If you own conifer
woodland that might be ripe for
restoration, or would simply
like to find out more, contact
the team via woodlandtrust.
org.uk/restoration
Summer 2014 The Woods Today 1 3
Engage
wtpl / pHIL formby
Poplar front:
Roger Jefcoate
is on a one-man
crusade to revive
his favourite tree
What’s new in...
Membership
Roger Jefcoate has spent
30 years secretly planting
his favourite black poplars on
verges, hills and roundabouts.
Permission? Who needs it...
T
he last time Roger
Jefcoate was planting a
tree with Princess Anne,
the earth was so hard he had to
use a crowbar. “I think that hole
wasn’t deep enough, Roger,”
remarked the Princess Royal.
Roger has planted trees at
Gatcombe Park with Prince
Charles and at Sandringham
with the Queen, but you’re much
more likely to find him working
under cover. He roams the
countryside looking for places
14 The Woods Today Summer 2014
that would suit a black poplar
tree. He doesn’t ask permission,
he just goes ahead and plants.
As a scientist and engineer,
Roger developed Possum, the first
remote control to help disabled
people with their mobility. His life
as a phantom tree planter began
later – about 30 years ago, when
he and wife Jean were listening to
radio in their Buckinghamshire
kitchen, and heard conservation
expert Edgar Milne-Redhead
talking about black poplar trees.
“I wonder if that’s one we can see
on the skyline?” said Jean. It was.
The couple wrote to Edgar. “He
was quite excited,” says Roger.
“He said: ‘Yours is the only black
poplar on record in your 10km
square of England.’ So we went
out and found several more.”
The couple had uncovered an
unknown stronghold for a species
that was once common in Britain,
but had declined to a total of just
1,000 trees. Edgar gave Roger
the idea of phantom planting.
He told him: “Never mind purity,
get them in the ground – get out
there and do it!”
“I’m an enthusiastic amateur,”
Roger adds. “If I see a hedge gap
which is asking to be filled, I fill it.
I’ve got a special stainless steel
gadget I use for planting. It’s nice
driving around and thinking ‘Yes,
I planted that one!’ There’s a
black poplar in the middle of a
roundabout in Milton Keynes and
whenever we pass it I say to Jean:
“That’s your tree, my love.”
Roger and Jean have also left
money to the Woodland Trust in
their wills. “It’s hugely valuable.
We haven’t got kids and we don’t
want the Chancellor to get every
penny. In a sense, our children are
these wonderful trees.”
Legacies pay for a quarter of
everything the Trust does, and 78p
in every pound is spent directly on
conserving woods and trees. It’s
easy to set up, too. You can fill in a
(non-binding) form at woodlandtrust.
org.uk/donate/gift-in-will
derek pelling
The phantom tree planter
“Every single Trust supporter
makes a lasting difference to
the future of UK woodland – we
wouldn’t exist without you and
nor would many of the woods
we own. All of our 1,200 woods
are free to enjoy, so it’s only
through supporters’ generosity
that we’re able to care for them.
“We currently have 225,000
members, which is 5% up on a
year ago. By joining you support
us with crucial funds, but it’s
about much more than that.
When we’re talking on behalf of
225,000 people, those who can
influence the future of our native
woodland sit up and listen.
“None of our projects would be
possible without volunteers. We
have about 2,000 people doing
everything from media work
to woodland creation, and last
year 188,000 people helped us
by planting trees and recording
data. Many volunteers find it
opens the door to a lifetime
involvement in conservation.
“Or why not join our thriceyearly raffle? In 2013 we raised
about £900,000 and it enabled
us to plant nearly 360,000
trees. For a raffle pack, please
call 0800 296 9650.”
Phil Shipway,
Membership manager
Join us!
Find out how to join
the Woodland Trust at
woodlandtrust.org.uk/donate/
become-a-member. For more
details on volunteering, visit
woodlandtrust.org.uk/volunteer
Summer 2014 The Woods Today 1 5
Nurture
Emperor dragonflies
Newts
Newts mostly leave their
breeding ponds in late
spring, but some stay put.
Prime time to see them is
at dusk: take a torch and
scan submerged plants.
At Hackfall, near Masham
in North Yorkshire, the
Trust helps by regularly
clearing their pond to
create open water.
Robert Thompson / naturepl.com
These are among many woodland butterflies on the wing in the summer
months. Look out for a large butterfly with a gliding and swooping flight.
At Bovey Valley Woods, in Devon, the Trust is restoring the ancient woodland
to create more light in the understorey, which they need. Work is also ongoing
to spread common dog violet, which is eaten by fritillary caterpillars.
These are giants of the insect world,
growing up to 8cm long. Constantly
patrolling the waterside, emperors
will even eat their prey in flight.
Both sexes have a green upper body,
but males have a sky-blue tail; in
females they are blue-green. At
Cow Hollow Wood, in Waterbeach,
Cambridgeshire, the Trust has
made the banks of a drain shallower
to encourage reeds, which
dragonflies and damselflies love.
Simon Colmer
NHPA/Photoshot
Red squirrels
Nightingales
These are small and
easy to overlook, as
they tend to stick to
dense undergrowth.
But once heard their
voice is never forgotten.
Brede High Woods, in East
Sussex, is managed to
create the young coppice
woodland that
nightingales prefer.
Conservation
Marsh orchids
These grow along
sunlit woodland paths:
you can’t miss their
vivid pink flower spikes
in June and July. At
Dyffryn Woods, near
Neath, we sensitively
mow the verges to help
orchids compete for
space and light.
Chris Gomersall / 2020VISION / naturepl.com
From basking butterflies
to skittering squirrels,
there is wildlife aplenty
to look for in the woods
this summer. Here are
some of the star species
– and the vital work
the Trust is doing to
conserve them
What’s new in...
Photoshot
Summertime special
Squirrel mums can have
two litters of young each
year. Kittens born early
this year are now weaned
and exploring their
woodland world. At
Backmuir Wood, near
Dundee, the Trust helps
reds through the tough
winter by supplemental
feeding with nuts and
sunflower hearts.
wtpl / pHIL formby
Silver-washed fritillaries
“The great thing about woods is
their mosaic of habitats – trees,
heath, meadows and more. Also
the diversity of layers, from
ground layer through shrubs to
the canopy top. Some species
need more light, others the
darker woodland core. It’s vital
to manage to support diversity,
and that is the Trust’s aim.
“Our main conservation goal
is to build resilient landscapes
that can survive future change.
As well as protecting, restoring
and expanding woodland, we’re
interested in trees outside
woods: in pasture and parkland,
in hedges and on farms, and as
ways to connect nature through
the landscape.
“We’re using the Ancient Tree
Inventory to identify hotspots
for ancient trees and explore
ways to ensure their continuity,
including recruiting future
ancients to support the special
wildlife that inhabits them.
And in the Lake District we’re
working on a landscape scale
to encourage more trees and
scrub in the uplands.”
Kay Haw,
Conservation team
16 The Woods Today Summer 2014
Holly blues are little jewels, with
silver-blue wings that dazzle in the
sun. Adults emerge in early spring,
before the other blue butterflies.
At Glasswater Wood, in Crossgar,
County Down, the Trust is adding holly
trees to the species mix to encourage
their caterpillars. In spring they eat the
holly’s flower buds and leaves, moving
on to ivy in late summer.
Laurent Geslin / naturepl.com
Photoshot
Holly blue butterflies
Muck in
The Trust is always
seeking volunteers to help
record seasonal wildlife – it
helps us understand the effects
of climate change on nature.
You can do it on walks or even
in your garden: search for
‘Nature’s Calendar’ at
woodlandtrust.org.uk
Summer 2014 The Woods Today 1 7
Partner
Support for the Trust comes from many
surprising corners – and sometimes it
is forged from personal friendships
between folk who love British woods
The water of life
“We wanted to choose a charity partner that
resonated with our values, and the Woodland
Trust felt like a natural fit.” So says Les
Montgomery, chief executive of Highland
Spring, the UK’s leading bottled water brand.
The link grew from a chat between Carol Evans,
the Trust’s director in Scotland, and Sally Stanley,
Highland Spring’s group strategic director.
A Trust team went to meet Highland Spring
at the company’s HQ, which is on a 810ha
(2,000-acre) organic estate near Blackford in
Perthshire. Carol says, “As they drove us around
we were saying, ‘We could plant trees here!
We could plant trees there!’ And they started
picking up on that enthusiasm too.”
Since then the company has worked with the
Trust on several initiatives, and last August Carol
joined Les Montgomery to plant 405 trees on the
Blackford estate – one for every Highland Spring
employee. “It is really gratifying to think we’ve
created a new area of woodland that can be
enjoyed by future generations,” adds Les.
P
King of bonfires:
Will Hobhouse
18 The Woods Today Summer 2014
Fired up: Emma
Bridgewater is
wild about woods
community. I think if somebody is very passionate
about their work and also has another passion,
there’s a much better balance in their thinking.”
Emma’s love of the countryside stems from her
late mother, Charlotte: “My mother was the kind of
person who loved to marshal the troops for bluebell
walks and picnics. When Will suggested we partner
with the Trust, Matthew and I immediately said that
yes, if there was anything constructive we could do,
then of course we would do it.”
Matthew drew the design for the Emma Bridgewater
Woodland Trust mug, featuring the leaves of six
native British trees: field maple, ash, hawthorn, elm,
birch and oak. It went on sale in March, and a
donation of £2 from each one sold goes to the Trust.
“I love the Woodland Trust,”
Emma says. “All my life
I’ve been given the gift of
a real identification with
the landscape, and woods
are a vital part of that.”
Woodland Trust
mugs cost £19.95 from
emmabridgewater.co.uk
Below: Carol
Evans and Les
Montgomery
lay the roots
of a new Trust
partnership
What’s new in...
Partnerships
“The Trust’s partnership work
is mutually beneficial. We
help our partners to meet
their green and corporate
responsibility goals, while they
play a critical role in our work,
both through valuable funding
and influencing staff, suppliers
and customers to get involved.
“Before we work with any
new partner, we research to see
if they have ever been directly
involved with damaging
ancient woods. More than 30
companies are partners of the
Woodland Trust, while many
others support our work by
subscribing as corporate
members. Plus our Woodland
Carbon scheme helps firms like
Waitrose limit the effect of
their carbon emissions by
planting new native woodland.
“Sainsbury’s is our biggest
partner. Since launching their
Woodland Eggs in 2004, they
have raised over £3.5 million to
fund more than two million new
trees, including the planting of
Sainsbury’s Wood, part of our
Jubilee Woods project.”
Rob Croxall,
Partnerships manager
Lend a hand
highland spring
kate hobhouse
ottery queen Emma Bridgewater’s
striking new mug has a story to tell.
Emblazoned with colourful leaves, its sales
will help support the Woodland Trust, after Emma
was introduced to us by her old friend Will Hobhouse,
executive chairman of Heal’s department store.
As well as their careers in British retail, the pair
share a love of British woods. Emma is often found
planting willows with husband Matthew Rice in their
Oxfordshire garden; while Will and his family love
working in the bluebell wood attached to their home.
“Two of my four boys have chainsaw licenses,” says
Will, “and I am the world champion of bonfires. We
are absolutely passionate about the outdoors.”
Emma has similar sentiments, and is busy planting
at the house that she and Matthew bought three
years ago. “This is a wonderful, magic place, but it’s
got spectacularly few trees,” she says. “I’m so keen
that I’ll wake up in the morning passionately wishing
10 years of tree growth had happened overnight!”
Emma met Will when he was CEO of Whittard, the
tea company. He has been a long-time ambassador
for the Trust, and it’s quite a time commitment –
especially now he’s running Heals, where he’s
introduced an emphasis on British makers working
with sustainable British hardwood.
“The community of woody people is fantastic,” he
smiles. “They go from sort of bonkers full-blown
enthusiasts for things like beetles, right through to
people who just like trees and bluebells. It’s a joy,
and the Woodland Trust is right in the middle of that
wtpl / pHIL formby
With a little help from our friends
Do you know a company
or organisation that might like
to join forces with the Trust?
Call us on 01476 581112,
email corporatepartnerships@
woodlandtrust.org.uk, or
visit woodlandtrust.org.uk/
our-story/who-we-work-with
Summer 2014 The Woods Today 1 9
Shop
Trust treats
Feast your eyes on this gorgeous summer selection from the Trust shop.
Every purchase you make helps us create and protect precious woodland
Fruits of nature
Cup of cheer
Bug friendly
Pewter goodness
Prolong spring with our bluebellfragranced range of toiletries,
including this hand wash 1 £8, or
opt for rose and honeysuckle in this
luxury wicker gift basket 2 £24.
3
Our range of bee, bug, butterfly
and moth houses will transform
your garden into a wildlife haven
3 £29.99. There’s even a ‘hogitat’
to give hedgehogs a safe retreat.
Our new rural landscape mugs,
placemats and coasters were
designed and made in the UK.
This bone china mug depicts
Armley in Leeds 4 £13.50.
This lovely lead-free pewter
tableware is crafted by hand and
inspired by nature. Look out for
napkin rings, salad servers and this
nifty oak-leaf jam spoon 5 £25.
This quirky homeware collection
features a wagtail, a blue tit, a
robin and a thrush, and there are
plenty of pretty items to choose
from. We especially love the dinky
four-bird espresso set, a gift-boxed
set of four 6 £20. There’s also a set
of four egg cups 7 £14.99; two
dinner plates 8 £24.99; and two
tea towels 9 £11.99.
To order, just call 0845 293 5840
or visit woodlandtrustshop.com
9
4
2
Watch the birdy
7
1
photo: neil hepworth / paper rhino
5
6
20 The Woods Today Summer 2014
8
Summer 2014 The Woods Today 21
Win
A weekend escape
FANCY WINNING a relaxing hotel
getaway? DoubleTree by Hilton
(doubletree.com) has worked in
partnership with the Trust for six
years, funding the planting of tens of
thousands of new native trees and
helping children to connect with
nature through a series of woodland
discovery days. They have 22 hotels
across the UK, including DoubleTree by
Hilton Dundee (pictured).
A morning makeover
Ethical breakfast wizards Dorset Cereals (dorsetcereals.co.uk) have helped
the Trust plant 16,800 trees over the last four years across the UK. They
are an environmentally friendly bunch, and their cereals are scrumptious
too. Find out for yourself by winning a selection of cereals and a bumper
recipe book filled with imaginative ways to enjoy the most important meal
of the day. For a chance to win, simply answer the following question:
What percentage of the UK is ancient woodland?
a) 2 per cent b) 4 per cent c) 7 per cent
How to enter
Email woodstoday@woodlandtrust.org.uk or enter
by phone on 0800 026 9560. Don’t forget to
include your name and contact details.
You can enter both competitions on this
page in a single call or email. Full terms and
conditions are at woodlandtrust.org.uk/
woodstoday. Closing date: July 31 2014.
22 The Woods Today Summer 2014
They are offering one lucky Woods
Today reader the chance to win a long
weekend of relaxation and fun. The
prize is a three-night stay for two at
a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in the UK
of your choice. For a chance to win,
answer the following question – entry
details are at the foot of the page.
They helped me get a
quick cancer diagnosis
Kevin – benenden health member
Read Kevin’s story at benenden.co.uk/woods
What is a wood leopard?
a) Moth b) Mushroom c) Mouse
The Woods Today
Editor: Elisabeth Garton
Consultant editor: Vincent Crump
Designer: Amanda Rigby
Writers: Sally Pepper, Julian Rollins
Production: Malcolm Holmes
Copyright © 2014 The Woodland Trust.
The Woodland Trust is a charity registered
in England and Wales (number 294344)
and in Scotland (number SC038885).
The Woodland Trust logo is a registered
trademark. All maps are based on Ordnance
Survey digital data with the permission of
HMSO © Crown copyright AL100017626.
Printed by Eclipse Colour Print Limited.
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