This year has reaffirmed the importance of resilient, genetically diverse forests to the UK’s environmental future. The State of the UK’s Woods and Trees 2025 report by the Woodland Trust made for sobering reading: woodland creation targets still unmet, declines in woodland biodiversity worsening, and the continued spread of pests and diseases threatening our cherished native species. Yet it also underscored why organisations like Future Trees Trust must lead with science, collaboration, and optimism.
Against this national backdrop, 2025-26 has been a year of progress, partnership, and purposeful activity for the Trust. Following the landmark successes of 2025– planting two archives of ash trees showing tolerance to ash dieback and establishing our first oak seed orchard at Craven Field, Oxfordshire – our focus this year has been on nurturing those young plantings and expanding our research scale and impact.
Weather extremes have tested every grower and researcher. From the wettest winter in recent memory to a spring drought that pushed even well-established nurseries to their limits, the resilience built into our
breeding populations has never been more relevant. These challenges have also highlighted our agility and the dedication of our team, volunteers, and partners across the UK and Ireland.
Forestry is a long game. Our work today – collecting scions, establishing seed orchards, genotyping plus trees – will bear fruit in the decades to come. I am proud to report that Future Trees Trust remains financially stable, scientifically respected, and operationally lean, with every resource directed toward securing the genetic future of broadleaved trees.
My deep gratitude to our Chief Executive, researchers, trustees, and supporters who share the vision of a thriving, resilient treescape for generations to come.
2025-26 has been a year of progress, partnership, and purposeful activity for the Trust. Following the landmark successes of 2025 –planting two archives of ash trees showing tolerance to ash dieback and establishing our first oak seed orchard at Craven Field, Oxfordshire – our focus this year has been on nurturing those young plantings and expanding our research scale and impact.
Read or download Future Trees Trusts latest report below or view previous reports at the bottom of this page.
