Perhaps the most obvious thing that springs to mind when we think of trees is the supply of air they provide us. Like nearly all plants, trees take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen as part of photosynthesis. On average, one tree produces almost 118kg of oxygen every year.

A key element of that process is the absorption of carbon dioxide, helping us in the fight against climate change. A single tree can absorb as much as 22kg of carbon each year, potentially keeping it locked up in their wood and roots for decades or even centuries to come.

Trees and woods are like cities for wildlife, providing food and shelter for thousands of species. For example, oak trees can support up to 2,300 species with over 300 of these entirely dependent on oaks for their survival. Many birds and several small mammals, such as dormice and bats, use trees for nesting and shelter.

Countless invertebrate species, from snails to butterflies to spiders, rely on woodland habitats. Bees will visit flowering trees for nectar and pollen, such as hawthorn and elder. The brimstone butterfly lays its eggs on alder leaves. All these animals, using the tree in a variety of ways, provide food for other species further up the food chain.

Tiny Forests are biodiversity hotspots, capable of attracting over 500 animal and plant species within their first 3 years. That’s quite an achievement for a young woodland the size of a tennis court!

One in six UK species face extinction, according to the 2023 State of Nature report. Our wildlife needs a thriving network of habitats like patches of woodland to help them recover.