1,000 woods and 13 million trees - Woodland Trust still going strong

AMBITIOUS: The Woodland Trust aims to plant 20million young trees a year for the next 50 years

Turtle doves and cuckoos are among the threatened wildlife which have made their home in some of the 1,000 woods created by the Woodland Trust

January 2011: No organisation has created as many native accessible woods across the UK as the Woodland Trust and now the trust wants to up the ante and help plant up to 20 million trees a year for the next 50 years as part of its groundbreaking More Trees, More Good campaign.

This milestone has only been made possible with the help of thousands of schools, communities, youth groups, companies, landowners and donors from across the UK, delivered through many innovative projects. Some of the more quirky examples include; Scouts that had to get a boat over to the island of Eilean Shona to plant trees, the Swedish army troop carriers used at Glen Devon for tree planting and even the creation of two virtual woods for the Archers on Radio 4.

The trust has created woods for many different reasons, including Oppy Wood, created in Hull to help green the least wooded city in the UK, Granllyn Pool created as a habitat for rare species such as the great crested newt, Heartwood Forest England's largest new native woodland at a whopping 868 acres, and Comfort's Wood which has become the new home to many red listed species and Fordham Hall Estate.

Many studies show that woodland offers huge benefits for people, as well as being vital for the survival of native wildlife habitats and climate adaptation.

Woodland Trust President Clive Anderson said: ‘Research gathered over recent years has highlighted the countless essential benefits to people, wildlife and the environment that come from planting trees and creating new woodland habitats. To maximise these the UK needs to plant 20 million native trees per year.

‘The simple act of planting trees unleashes a host of benefits: in just 12 years they become beautiful woodland, home to a vast array of wildlife and places where children can play, adults reflect, birds and plant life flourish and communities come together. They lock up carbon, are a natural defence against flooding, provide shelter from the elements and offer a sustainable supply of eco-friendly fuel.'

GREEN OASIS: Blean Woods in Faversham Kent - one of the many woodlands managed by the Woodland Trust – forms part of the most extensive area of broadleaved woodland in Britain. Picture: Woodland Trust

A public opinion survey commissioned by the trust emphasised that point, with 72 per cent of those asked agreeing that the UK needs more trees.

Clive continued: ‘We realise 20 million trees is a huge task but an increase in tree-planting rates is essential, and we can't do it alone. That's why the trust is calling on all individuals and organisations to help rise to the challenge.'

Actor and Woodland Trust member Sean Bean said: ‘I am a member of the Woodland Trust and support its campaign to plant trees. I have been personally involved with tree planting back home in Sheffield and have seen the benefits it brings.'

More Trees, More Good offers a range of support to enable individuals and organisations to plant their own trees. For larger tree planting schemes, there is a team of expert advisers who will make site visits to offer guidance on planting trees and accessing government funding.

For smaller schemes, the trust works in partnership with landowners by supplying expertise and sharing some of the costs through the MoreWoods programme, and provides free or reduced-price packs for schools and community groups.