The first trees are now in the ground at Pucklechurch Wood, marking the start of the Western Forest, the UK’s first new national forest in over 30 years. This 30-hectare site in South Gloucestershire will grow into a vibrant community access woodland and create a space to benefit people and wildlife for generations to come.

Between November 2025 and March 2026, volunteers will plant 22,000 native and climate-resilient trees, with another 22,000 planned for next winter. Species include familiar natives like English oak alongside climate-tolerant sweet chestnut, helping the woodland thrive in a changing climate. Laura Norton, Partnerships Manager for the Forest of Avon, said: “The trees have been funded by Forest of Avon through Defra’s Trees for Climate fund. The Forest of Avon distributes this grant to enable the planting and long-term maintenance of both urban and rural trees across the area.”

“These new trees support the West of England’s goal to double canopy cover by 2050, boosting local livelihoods and improving access across the region, including Bristol. By connecting landowners and local communities with this crucial Defra fund, we are enabling the creation and management of our future woodlands. It is immensely exciting!”

Pucklechurch Wood is being created thanks to South Gloucestershire Council providing the land, the Government’s Trees for Climate funding through the Forest of Avon, and funding from Pucklechurch Parish Council. The site will be managed by South Gloucestershire Council, supported by Pucklechurch Parish Council, the Forest of Avon and volunteers. Pond and wetland scrape features will be integral to the new woodland, thanks to funding from West of England Combined Authority (WECA) as part of the Common Connections project.

In Western Forest’s first five years, 2,500 hectares of new woodland and other tree habitats will be planted, with 20 million trees in the ground by 2050. Pucklechurch Wood is where that long-term vision begins to take root.

If you would like to take part in planting Pucklechurch Wood, you can sign up for a volunteer planting day via our Eventbrite.