The region has 80,000 hectares of woodland. Over 60% of this is broadleaf, less than 20% is conifer and the remainder is mixed woodland and associated habitats. There are almost 6500 woods over 2 hectares in size in the region and the average woodland covers around 11 hectares.

Ancient sites

Some 25,000 hectares (32%) of our woods are on ancient woodland sites - sites which have been under more or less continuous tree cover since at least 1600 AD. Around half of these support semi-natural woodlands which retain a high proportion of native trees and shrubs. These irreplaceable woodlands are amongst our richest wildlife habitats, supporting more species of conservation concern than any other.

Ancient woodlands are found in significant clusters right across the East Midlands. Some, such as Sherwood, are familiar and well recognised. Elsewhere nationally and internationally important woodlands such as the Lincolnshire Limewoods, the dale woodlands of the Peak District and areas of ancient forest such as Leighfield, Rockingham & Charnwood are perhaps less well known.

Plantations on ancient woodland sites (PAWS)

On many ancient woodland sites, native woodland has been replaced by plantations, often of non native conifers. These plantations vary greatly in character and can, in some instances retain much of the diversity of semi natural woodlands. On most PAWS sites however, the presence of non native stands of trees has had a significant negative impact on the wildlife and cultural characteristics of the ancient woodland.

Parkland and wood pasture

The region also has many notable examples of parkland and wood pasture. These sites have their origins in mediaeval forest, commons and wooded parks and many of them combine a range of historic landscape features with high priority wildlife habitats. Whilst a number of these sites have been designated as sites of special scientific interest, others are largely un-surveyed and little is known of their condition or conservation and heritage importance.

Veteran trees

Ancient woodlands and parklands are commonly home to important populations of veteran trees. Whether they are living or dying, standing or fallen, these venerable features make a unique contribution to the character of the landscape. They also provide a habitat for a wide range of rare and highly specialised species as well as being rare and endangered organisms in their own right.

The number of veteran trees has gradually declined in the region over recent decades but the distribution and condition of the remaining trees is not well known. The Woodland Trust and Ancient Tree Forum are co-ordinating a national survey project - the Ancient Tree Hunt - to collect and map records of ancient and veteran trees.

From hedgerows to city streets

In the wider landscape some15 million trees are found in hedgerows, field corners and in urban green spaces. Many thousands of important trees can be found in the public realm, from village greens to city centre streets. Trees make an important contribution to the quality of life in many built up areas, providing a greener and more visually interesting environment, improving air quality, providing a valuable urban wildlife habitat and also reducing the impacts of pollution.

Woodland creation

Major efforts have been made to increase the woodland cover of the East Midlands, particularly in the former coal mining areas of Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire. Over the last decade over 7000 hectares have been planted with Forestry Commission support, much of it driven by highly ambitious partnership initiatives such as The National Forest and the Greenwood Community Forest.