Britain and Ireland are among the least wooded countries in Europe, especially in terms of natural and completely untouched forest. However, of the ancient semi-natural woodlands that do remain, many are superb and are rich in wildlife, as well as being fine examples of the way in which these habitats can maintain their biodiversity while being exploited commercially on a sustainable basis.
For some tree enthusiasts, visiting their local woodland is enough to satisfy their interest and most people do not have to travel far to achieve this end. However, once in a while it is worth travelling further afield for a change of scenery and species. A visit to one of the splendid arboreta that are scattered around the country will also be a rewarding experience. The following sites (with website addresses) provide some splendid opportunities for woodland walks, visits to superb tree collections, or both.
1. Epping Forest – Extensive semi-natural woodland with ancient pollards and maiden trees. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/living_environment/open_spaces/epping_forest.htm
2. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – A huge range of splendid trees, on the edge of central London. www.rbgkew.org.uk
3. Burnham Beeches, Buckinghamshire – One of the best examples of ancient semi-natural woodland in the region, with many veteran pollards. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/living_environment/open_spaces/burnham.htm
4. Windsor Forest, Berkshire – Crown Estate land with ancient trees and working forestry plantations. www.theroyallandscape.co.uk
5. Bedgebury Pinetum, Kent – The finest collection of conifers in the world. www.bedgeburypinetum.org.uk
6. Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey – Peaceful woodland and a fine tree collection. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-winkwortharboretum.htm
7. Harewood Forest, Hampshire – The largest area of woodland in Hampshire outside the New Forest. www.testvalley.gov.uk/tvlcp/vol1_lca6d.html
8. The New Forest, Hampshire – Ancient hunting forest, now a mosaic of ancient semi-natural woodland, mature plantations and heath. www.hants.org.uk/newforest
9. The Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Hampshire – The greatest collection of hardy trees in the world. www.hillier.hants.gov.uk
10. Westonbirt Arboretum, Gloucestershire – World-famous tree collection. www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt
11. Haldon Forest, Devon – Rolling, wooded hills with both conifer plantations and native woodland. www.haldonforestpark.org.uk
12. Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire – A mixture of mature plantations and ancient semi-natural woodland. www.forestry.gov.uk/website/recreation.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/EnglandGloucestershireForestofDean
13. National Botanic Garden of Wales – native and introduced trees including an important collection of Sorbus. www.gardenofwales.org.uk
14. Gwydyr Forest, Conwy, Wales – Mature conifer plantations and remnant pockets of semi-natural Sessile Oak woodland. www.forestry.gov.uk/website/wildwoods.nsf/SearchAgentView/WalesConwyNoForestGwydyr
15. National Botanic Gardens of Ireland – an excellent collection of native and introduced trees. www.botanicgardens.ie
16. Vale of Clara Nature Reserve, Wicklow, Ireland – Extensive areas of semi-natural oak woodland. www.npws.ie/NatureReserves/Wicklow
17. Wicklow Mountains National Park, Ireland – Contains pockets of ancient semi-natural oak woodland and superb ground flora. www.npws.ie/NationalParks/Wicklow MountainsNationalPark
18. Killarney National Park, Ireland – Arguably the finest ancient semi-natural Sessile Oak woodland in Ireland. www.npws.ie/NationalParks/KillarneyNationalPark
19. Breen Wood, Antrim, Northern Ireland – Extensive semi-natural Sessile Oak and Downy Birch woodland. www.jncc.gov.uk/ProtectedSites/SACselection/SAC.asp?EUCode=UK0030097
20. Brodick Castle, Garden and Country Park, Isle of Arran, Scotland – for Sorbus arranensis and S. pseudofennica. www.nts.org.uk
21. Abernethy and Rothiemurchus Forests, Aviemore, Scotland – Ancient Caledonian Pine forest. www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/a/abernethyforest/index.asp
22. Tay Forest Park, Highlands, Scotland – Extensive mixed and conifer woodland. www.forestry.gov.uk/website/Recreation.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/ScotlandPerthand KinrossTayForestPark
23. Kielder Forest, Northumberland – A vast area of mature conifer plantation. www.northumberland.gov.uk/VG/kielder.htm
24. Dalby Forest, Yorkshire – Semi-natural woodland and mature conifer plantations in the south of the North York Moors National Park. www.forestry.gov.uk/dalbyforest
25. Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire – An ancient woodland that is both a country park and a national nature reserve. www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/home/leisure/countryparks/sherwoodforestcp.htm
26. Thetford Forest, Norfolk – Mature conifer plantation and broadleaved woodland. www.forestry.gov.uk/website/Recreation.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/EnglandEastAngliaForestsofEastAngliaThetfordForestPark
27. Cambridge University Botanic Garden – An interesting collection of trees, including many scarce native species. It holds the national collection of Sorbus. www.botanic.cam.ac.uk