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Top 5 facts about UK woodlands

Discover more about UK woodlands, the issues and threats they are facing, and what you can do to help.

Support ancient oaks
© ScotlandBigPicture.com/ WWF-UK
Caledonian pine wood, Abernethy Forest, Cairngorms National Park, Scotland, UK
© Mark Hamblin

1. 13% of the UK is woodland

In 2022, woodland covered 32,400 sq km of the UK; or 13% of the UK's land. Ancient woodland covers only 2.5% of the UK. Sadly, up to 70% of ancient woodlands in the UK have already been lost.

Bluebells in a woodland near Ambleside, UK. Like many wild flowers they are starting to bloom earlier due to rising temperatures.
© Global Warming Images / WWF

2. Woodlands are fantastic carbon catchers

Around 4,000 million tonnes of carbon are stored in UK forests, 70% is in the soil.

Ancient oak tree (Quercus robur), Marsland Mouth, Devon Wildlife Trust, Devon, UK.
© naturepl.com / Ross Hoddinott / WWF

3. Oak trees generally live for 600 years

Oak trees may live for 1,000 years, although 600 years is more typical - an oak tree is classed as ancient once it reaches 400 years old. In the UK, 326 species are completely dependent on oak trees, including 257 species of invertebrates.

Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) in summer in woodland habitat, Cairngorms National Park, Scotland, UK
© ScotlandBigPicture.com/ WWF-UK

4. We need to protect our woodlands

Only 44% of the UK's woodland is managed sustainably.

Aerial view above Abernethy pine forest with the Cairngorm mountain range behind. Cairngorms National Park, Scotland, UK
© ScotlandBigPicture.com/ WWF-UK

5. Our ancient woodlands are under threat

1,225 of the UK's ancient woods are currently under threat from development, overgrazing, air pollution and the spread of invasive species such as rhododendron. Around half of the UK's remaining ancient woodlands are affected by felling and replanting with non-native conifers.

Discover more about UK nature