Posted on: 26th October 2017

Carpenter Oak supports the sustainable timber industry by sourcing all our timber from sustainably managed forests in the UK and Europe.  We look to support our woodlands at home and abroad.

Alongside supporting sustainable forestry we invest in planting schemes throughout the UK by working with and advocating the Woodland Trust

The Woodland Trust is the UK’s largest woodland conservation charity.  They protect and campaign on behalf of the UK’s woodlands and trees.  They want to see the UK rich in woods and trees, enjoyable and accessible to everyone, valued by everyone. 

Only 13% of the UK is covered with trees.  Although this is a significant improvement from 5% at the end of the 20th Century, it is still far below the 37% European average.  The Woodland Trust aim to protect, restore and create woodlands.

Protect

Wildlife rich areas of woodland have been lost.  With threats from climate change, pests and diseases, pollution, invasive species and intensification of land use, the Woodland Trust aim to protect these valuable assets. 

Ancient woodland is irreplaceable and home to vulnerable creatures.  Habitats in their own right, supporting a wide variety of wildlife.  The Woodland Trust identifies valuable and vulnerable trees and woodland under threat and campaigns to save them or raise funds to buy them.

Restore

Ancient woodland covers only 2% of the UK.  Much of this woodland has been damaged by the planting of non native conifers and invasive species.  Officially ancient woodland is that which has existed since 1600AD but there is evidence that many are older than this, linking back to the last Ice Age, 10,000 years ago. 

The Woodland Trust are at the forefront of restoring ancient woodland, of which almost 50% is damaged.  Using innovative techniques and a new approach they are working hard to conserve the future of these wildlife and heritage strongholds. 

Create

Working with volunteers and land owners the Woodland Trust are creating thousands of new woodlands across the UK.  They plant new trees near existing wildlife rich areas, ancient woods and trees.  This connects existing habitats whilst acting as a buffer from neighbouring land.

Tree planting takes place near communities to enable increased access to woodlands.  Currently only 18% of the UK lives within manageable walking distance to woods.  At present the Woodland Trust is investing £4.5 million to grow 4.5 million trees until the end of 2017, all of which will be grown from seeds sourced in the UK and Ireland.

The woodland trust now own more than 1000 native woods across the UK.  These are wildlife rich, many are ancient and some are in areas of Sites of Special Scientific Interest.  All of them are open and free for anyone to enjoy.  Visit a woodland near you.

Want to learn more about trees?  Identify, discover and learn about British trees with the Woodland Trust.

Interested in planting trees?  Whether you are a school or community group, farmer or landowner, or someone looking for a tree for their garden the Woodland Trust can help.

Want to do more for our trees and woodlands?  Get involved, the Woodland Trust have several ways that you can support them.

Entertaining small people?  You will never be stuck for ideas and activities with the Nature Detectives.

Working daily with one of the world’s most sustainable building materials, wood, it’s hard not to appreciate it’s magnitude and beauty.  Without this resource we wouldn’t be able to bask in dappled light, climb and swing from trees, enjoy the wildlife, kick up autumn leaves, oh and craft beautiful structures, so it’s only right that we look after it.  We hope that you will join us.

You can learn more about Carpenter Oak and our team here.