Policy: Protecting London’s Urban Forest in a Changing Climate
The Institute of Chartered Foresters has responded to the Future Climate Suitability of London’s Public Realm Trees report, published in November 2025 and authored by Dr Andrew Hirons and Kevin Martin: The Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF) fully supports the findings from Future Climate Suitability of London’s Public Realm Trees and calls for swift and decisive action to prevent avoidable […]
Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards returns for 2026 – are you a growing success story?
Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards is once again celebrating excellence in woodlands and forestry across the country, with youngsters leading the way. Entries have opened for the Schools and Early Years categories in the 2026 Awards, with a deadline of March 31. Entering is straightforward and can be done via the Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards website […]
New mapping tool brings emerging urban greening standard to the UK
Treeconomics has announced the launch of Urban Forest 3-30-300, a new mapping and analysis tool designed to help local authorities understand how neighbourhoods perform against the 3-30-300 principle – an emerging standard for healthy, nature-rich urban environments. The 3-30-300 rule, proposed by international urban forestry expert Dr Cecil Konijnendijk FICFor (Hon), sets out three simple […]
New resilience strategy launched by Forestry England
Forestry England today (10 November 2026) launched a new strategy and action plan that will protect the nation’s forests against the multiple threats they face. Three key principles of assessing, diversifying and restoring will guide foresters across the organisation so the 1,500 forests and woodlands in their care are fit for the future. As the […]
Help gather evidence of grey squirrel damage to trees
A major survey to assess the damage caused to trees and woods by non-native grey squirrels – last estimated to cost England and Wales £37 million a year – is being launched across the UK. The UK Squirrel Accord is asking landowners, managers and anyone with owner permission to carry out tree damage surveys in […]
Forest Research Chief Scientist appointed Honorary Professor of Bangor University
Bianca Ambrose-Oji, Chief Scientist at Forest Research, has been appointed as an Honorary Professor by Bangor University. This prestigious title has been awarded in recognition of Professor Ambrose-Oji’s major achievements during her academic and research career, which includes her previous role as a researcher and lecturer at Bangor University. Professor Ambrose-Oji’s career in forestry spans […]
40 years of championing a key national resource – Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards
Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards is marking 40 years of celebrating all that is great about the country’s woodlands and forests. The Awards celebrate the people involved across all types of Scotland’s woodlands who through their dedication make them the finest examples of a key national natural resource. The Awards started at a time when many […]
How do you use CAVAT?
The CAVAT Group are seeking to explore and understand how CAVAT is being used. They have launched a simple ‘Examples of Use’ form to enable people to submit their examples and are open to feedback on CAVAT, and recognise that through feedback and evaluation of its use and performance they will be able to evidence […]
Strong roots in woodlands and forestry championed at Scotland’s Finest Woods Awards 2024
A bumper year of entries saw excellence in all sectors, from community to forestry, conservation to farming and climate to schools. And each was showcased during a grand ceremony at the Scottish Parliament. Local groups, farmers, foresters and large estates were all recognised at the national event, held by Scotland’s Finest Woods to coincide with […]
Ips typographus found on UK Sitka spruce trees
The Forestry Commission has issued a warning after a number of Ips typographus findings were reported on Sitka spruce trees in the South East of England and urge woodland managers, landowners and the forestry industry to remain vigilant. Eight-toothed spruce bark beetle found on Sitka spruce trees in the UK for the first time Forestry […]
New measures for East Anglia after confirmed Ips typographus outbreak
Please see the below update from the Forestry Commission on the introduction of new plant health requirements following confirmation of eight-toothed spruce bark beetle findings in Suffolk and Norfolk. Woodland managers, landowners and the forestry industry are encouraged to remain vigilant as the Forestry Commission announces an expansion of the current Ips typographus demarcated area […]
Trees, People and the Built Environment 5 – Post Event Tickets Now On Sale!
Following our fantastic two-day #TPBE5 conference in April this year, we’re delighted to offer post-event access to all conference content for those who couldn’t make it at the time. Accessible through our dedicated online conference platform, Pheedloop, these post-event ticket options offer access to all eight main sessions of the conference […]
Battle against pests and pathogens stepped up with new funding for national tree health laboratory
The battle against tree-disease spreading beetles such as the Emerald ash borer and the larger eight-toothed spruce bark beetle has taken a significant step forward today thanks to new Government funding unveiled. The funding will pay for a new £4m research and containment facility at the UK’s Forest Research Alice Holt Research Station in Surrey […]
Help improve the new Plant Health Information service
The Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) is developing a new ‘Plant Health Information service’ to enable users to search for up-to date information about plant imports, biosecurity risk and trade requirements. This new service will provide specific answers to questions such as: Is this plant prohibited from the country I am importing […]
Professional Forester of the Year Winner Announced at Confor Dinner & Awards 2024
The Institute of Chartered Foresters is delighted to announce that Gordon Brown MICFor, Managing Director of TreeStory, has been awarded Professional Forester of the Year 2024. Presented on 12 March at the Confor Dinner & Awards 2024, the award recognises contributions to the betterment of forestry on a community, regional, national or international level. Professional […]
Institute Fellow awarded MBE in New Year Honours
The Institute is delighted that Tom Jenkins FICFor has been awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the Forestry Sector in the New Year Honours 2024 list. Currently the Head of Forest Research in Wales, Tom’s long and distinguished career has led to a wealth of tree knowledge […]
New study led by Chartered Forester predicts catastrophic forest ecosystem collapse
An article published in the Institute’s Scientific journal, Forestry, has hit the headlines this week after the results from a recent horizon scanning exercise were published warning of the multiple emerging threats to woodlands, including tree disease and extreme weather, in the next 50 years. Funded by Forestry England, the study was led by Chartered […]
Campaign launched to highlight the importance of woodland management
A new Forestry Commission campaign, Woodland Management Matters, was launched in September 2023 and will promote how the future health and resilience of woodlands can be secured through sustainable management. From timber production, carbon sequestration and flood alleviation to wildlife habitats and improved livestock welfare, soil health and crop productivity, well-managed woodlands deliver a wide […]
Call for Treescapes Research Fellows
UK Treescapes Fellowship Scheme 2023 Funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), the Future of UK Treescapes is an interdisciplinary research programme that hopes to inform future policy, management and resilience of UK treescapes, while improve environmental, socio-economic and cultural understanding of the functions and services produced by them. Building on the nine fellows appointed […]
Oak Processionary Moth identified in Derbyshire
Members of the public are being asked to remain vigilant after a number of oak trees in the Long Eaton area of Derbyshire were confirmed to be infested with the tree pest Oak Processionary Moth (OPM). The trees are currently being treated and extensive surveillance work is ongoing to further investigate the findings and to […]
Institute’s Senior Technical Officer speaks at Healthy Hillsides event
The Healthy Hillsides project is a Welsh Government-funded partnership programme designed to reduce the impact of wildfires across the South Wales Valleys. The project is steered by Natural Resources Wales, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and the Wildlife Trust for South and West Wales and demonstrates collaboration with wider partners […]
Launch of the CAVAT Full Method: Guide for Practitioners
The CAVAT Group are delighted to be launching the updated CAVAT Full Method on 27 March 2023, supported by a brand new fully illustrated Guide for Practitioners and survey spreadsheet. The Full Method has been revised to address the under-valuing of those trees that are extensively managed to best fit with their context, for instance […]
Executive Director attends Trees and Forestry Stakeholder Forum
The Institute’s Executive Director, Louise Simpson, joined staff from Defra, the Forestry Commission and Natural England for the first in-person Trees and Forestry Stakeholder Forum, held at London’s Oval cricket ground on 2 March. The meeting focused on how to better support tree planting and care in the future, learn more about emerging issues and […]
Tree Health Pilot updated to support farmers
Launched in 2021 and running until 2024, Defra’s Tree Health Pilot scheme has been updated to offer support to farmers and land managers dealing with tree pest and disease issues. In the first year of the pilot scheme, there were more than 80 expressions of interest, which has allowed Defra and the Forestry Commission to improve […]
Forest research launch new Climate Change Hub
The effects of climate change are accelerating, with increasing frequency of extreme weather events such as storms, flooding, drought and wildfire. These and other climate risks pose a significant challenge to management of our landscapes and wider society. Without action, our forests and woodlands may be unable to provide the multiple benefits they currently do, […]
New action plan to save England’s red squirrels
Over the last 150 years, England’s red squirrel, Sciurus vulgaris, populations have significantly declined. This iconic species is now classed as nationally endangered. Evidence shows that the expansion of grey squirrel populations and range are the main cause of local red squirrel extinctions. To mark Red Squirrel Appreciation Day on 21 January 2023, the UK […]
Funded forestry programme launches call for woodland owners and innovators
A new three-year programme has launched to bring more woodland into active management in the North East and Yorkshire by working with woodland owners and forestry innovators. Northwoods, a programme funded by the Forestry Commission through the Woods into Management Forestry Innovation Funds (WiMFIF) – part of the UK Government’s Nature for Climate Fund – […]
Tree work health and safety
The tragic accident involving a 42-year-old tree surgeon who was killed while felling a diseased ash tree at a National Trust estate has been in the media recently. This is a sad reminder of the dangers of working with diseased trees and we want to highlight the importance of managing and controlling these risks. As […]
Policy Roundup – June 2022
Our monthly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved. Institute News On 14 June we met with Scotland’s Education Minister Jamie Hepburn to talk about the skills crisis and how we can resolve it. We were joined by Chief Forester Helen McKay FICFor […]
State-of-the-art tree health laboratory opens
Located within the Alice Holt Forest in Surrey, Defra and the Forestry Commission have opened the £5.8 million Forest Research Holt Laboratory that will carry out innovative research into tree pests and diseases. The research of scientists at the Holt Laboratory will inform future practice, determining the pests and pathogens that may be detrimental to […]
Policy Roundup – March 2022
Our monthly policy and research blog updates you on the latest work at the Institute and how you can get involved. Institute News Several Institute staff attended the Confor dinner and awards this month which was a lovely opportunity to meet members in person. There have also been two reports published this month that the […]
ICF President chairs webinar on urban reforestation
The Institute of Chartered Foresters President, Sharon Durdant-Hollamby FICFor, chaired the Landscape Institute’s recent webinar on urban reforestation as an effective tool against climate change. Sharon commented, “I was so pleased to see over 330 delegates attend this important topic of how planting trees in urban areas is proven to locally mitigate climate change. Howard […]
Further cases of Phytophthora pluvialis found in Wales
After it was first discovered in Gwynedd in December 2021, the pathogen Phytophthora pluvialis has now been confirmed at a further two sites in Wales – in Crychan, Llandovery and south of the original site in Dyfi forest. P. pluvialis is know to affect Douglas fir and several pine species, causing needle cast, shoot dieback […]
Forest Research publishes Resilient Implementation Framework
Forest Research have published a Resilience Implementation Framework to provide a structured way to think about resilience and identify management actions. The Resilience Implementation Framework provides a way to achieve a common understanding and identify potential actions for a specific set of circumstances. It is designed to be applicable in different contexts by providing a step […]
New controls to stop the spread of bark beetle tree pest
After the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus, was discovered earlier this year in Kent following routing plant health surveillance, additional measures have been introduced to prevent the spread in Kent and East Sussex. Building on existing restrictions in the area, a new notice will come into force on Wednesday 22 December that includes the […]
Phytophthora pluvialis found in Scotland
After it was first discovered in the UK in 2021 in South East England on western hemlock and Douglas fir, the fungus-like pathogen Phytophthora pluvialis has more recently been found in Cumbria in England and now near Loch Carron in Scotland. The symptoms include needle cast (where needles turn brown and fall off), shoot dieback, and […]