Publications

Case study

Tree disease and plantation on ancient woodland sites

A case study on how ancient woodland restoration can proceed following the clear felling necessary to eliminate Phytophthora ramorum, a tree disease of larch.

PDF  (512 KB)

Practical guidance

Ancient tree guide 1 – trees and farming

A guide to the effects of farming on ancient trees, their value to wildlife, and the simple measures that can help prevent damage and premature death.

PDF  (775 KB)

Practical guidance

Ancient tree guide 7 – trees for the future

A guide to establishing and protecting the next generation of trees, allowing them to develop fully and become the ancient trees of the future.

PDF  (2.19 MB)

Practical guidance

Ancient tree guide 5 – trees and climate change

A guide to the effects of climate change on ancient trees, and the measures that can be taken to improve their resilience and prolong their life.

PDF  (2.04 MB)

Practical guidance

Ancient tree guide 8 – trees and events

A guide to planning events with ancient trees in mind, with advice on avoiding root compaction and other damage from parking, high footfall and other activity.

PDF  (1.29 MB)

Practical guidance

Ancient tree guide 3 – trees and development

A good practice guide to retaining and protecting ancient and veteran trees in new developments, and recognising them as valuable assets.

PDF  (1.26 MB)

Practical guidance

Ancient tree guide 2 – ancient trees in historic parks and landscape gardens

A guide to conserving ancient trees in historic settings, including managing surroundings, evaluating dying trees and renewing designs with replacement trees.

PDF  (1.68 MB)

Practical guidance

Ancient tree guide 6 – the special wildlife of trees

A guide to the wildlife supported by ancient and veteran trees. Many such species are rare and declining, relying on deadwood to complete their lifecycles.

PDF  (1.70 MB)

Practical guidance

Ancient tree guide 4 - trees of special interest

Trees may be special because of their age, large size, or link with important historical events. Here’s how to recognise and identify ancient and veteran trees.

PDF  (1.40 MB)

Practical guidance

Practical guidance on restoring your ancient woodland

An introductory summary of training modules by the Woodland Trust for restoring ancient woodland.

PDF  (582 KB)

Case study

Woodland restoration and the fight against tree disease

A case study examining the additional challenges the presence of tree disease can pose when restoring ancient woodland, and the measures required to tackle it.

PDF  (650 KB)

Practical guidance

Ancient and veteran trees: Caring for special trees on farms

This guide helps identify ancient and veteran trees on farming land, and highlights their importance. It provides information on how to protect trees and secure their future.

PDF  (2.28 MB)

Practical guidance

Ancient woodland restoration - maximising ecological integrity

Practical guidance on accumulating more old growth characteristics, better space and dynamism, water and air quality, reintroductions and the integrity of wider landscapes.

PDF  (8.97 MB)

Practical guidance

Ancient and veteran trees: An Assessment Guide

This guide describes our approach to conserving veteran trees, wherever they are. Covering a series of steps that you can follow as an adviser, advocate, landowner, or manager.

PDF  (4.82 MB)

Position statement

Ancient woodland – the Woodland Trust's position

Ancient woods are irreplaceable, yet they cover just 2% of the UK and are still disappearing. The Woodland Trust believes there should be no further loss.

PDF  (193 KB)

Journal

Wood Wise – ancient trees

The spring 2014 issue of Wood Wise looks at the ecology of ancient and veteran trees, the work to identify and protect them, and what the future holds.

PDF  (4.11 MB)

Position statement

Ancient woodland and translocation – the Trust's position

The Woodland Trust reject suggestions that translocation of material from ancient woodland can mitigate loss, damage or destruction of this important habitat.

PDF  (681 KB)

Practical guidance

Assessing ammonia impacts on ancient woodland

A technical advice note on assessing the impact of new developments on nearby ancient woodland in terms of ammonia air pollution and nitrogen deposition.

PDF  (2.08 MB)

Practical guidance

Ancient woodland restoration management principles 

An introductory guide to ancient woodland restoration management, the value of this special habitat, and why we should protect and restore it.

PDF  (3.21 MB)

Research report

Impacts of nearby development on ancient woodland

A review of the research and evidence available that demonstrates the impacts of nearby development on the ecology of ancient woodland.

PDF  (640 KB)

Position statement

Ancient and veteran trees, parkland and wood pasture

The Woodland Trust believes all ancient and veteran trees should be valued and protected. More are also needed to become the ancient trees of the future.

PDF  (610 KB)

Case study

Harvesting woodfuel from ancient woodland restoration

A case study demonstrating how ancient woodland owners in Wales have funded restoration work through the Renewable Heat Incentive, using timber for woodfuel.

PDF  (5.11 MB)

Research report

The current state of ancient woodland restoration

A report drawing together evidence on the progress and challenges associated with restoring damaged ancient woodlands across the UK.

PDF  (1.76 MB)

Practical guidance

Planners' manual for ancient woodland and veteran trees

Practical guidance for planners on embedding ancient woodland and veteran trees in decision making, recognising their value, and avoiding damage from development.

PDF  (3.34 MB)

Practical guidance

Ancient woodland restoration – halting further decline

Practical guidance on halting further decline when beginning ancient woodland restoration, including first aid techniques for the most critically threatened areas.

PDF  (4.70 MB)

Practical guidance

Ancient woodland restoration survey and assessment

Practical guidance on surveying and assessment when restoring ancient woodland, including why we need to assess remnant features, threats, prioritising action and monitoring.

PDF  (3.24 MB)

Case study

Ancient woodland restoration for dormice

Find out how the rare hazel dormouse is benefiting from our groundbreaking restoration techniques in ancient Fingle Woods in Devon.

PDF  (1.51 MB)

Case study

Restoring an ancient woodland in community ownership

A case study on the restoration of Aigas Woods – an ancient woodland owned by the local community which is providing income from the removal of non-native trees.

PDF  (370 KB)

Journal

Wood Wise – ancient woodland restoration

The summer 2015 issue of Wood Wise looks at the range of projects striving to bring light and life back to damaged native woods through careful restoration.

PDF  (1.99 MB)

Case study

Timber products from ancient woodland restoration

A case study demonstrating how one woodland owner is making restoration pay its way – by using extracted timber for flooring in a factory renovation project.

PDF  (732 KB)