The Woodland Trust – woodland creation guide

Woodland creation is central to our vision of a UK rich in native woods and trees, for people and wildlife. As a nation, we must deliver on ambitious targets to increase the extent of native woods and trees if we are to tackle the climate and nature crises.

To drive nature recovery and deliver outcomes for people, we must demonstrate excellence in planning and delivery for woodland creation.

Our guide builds on the latest scientific evidence, 25-years of collective experience across the Trust and a community of expert stakeholders. It details the approach we follow on our own estate, and where we manage woodland creation on others’ behalf. We hope it will provide a consistent approach for delivering woodland creation projects at any scale. 

What do we mean by woodland creation?

The guide applies to the establishment of native woods and trees in all contexts and by a number of possible methods. That includes the largest sites to single trees, through planting, seeding or natural colonisation, in urban or rural settings.

At all scales and settings, the guide strongly encourages a number of key principles. It sets out a phased, long-term approach with nature recovery at its heart. To support this, we emphasise the use of native, locally sourced seed and trees, and uphold – and in many cases go beyond – the UK Forestry Standard’s (UKFS) core elements of sustainable forest management.

Who is it for?

We hope our approach will inspire and provide a framework for a broad range of professionals to build on their own knowledge and experience. Conservation organisations, ecological consultants, tree officers, land managers, contractors and many more will find it useful.

How to use the guide

The guide outlines a chronological process but is also a drop-in reference document and a signpost to other useful resources. It’s not intended to be prescriptive or a detailed manual – we encourage creativity and imagination, using the guide as a consistent approach for delivery at any scale. 

Used as a framework, the guide ensures you ask the right questions, but doesn’t give extensive technical answers. It assumes involvement of a skilled and knowledgeable adviser in every project.

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/publications/2022/02/woodland-creation-guide/