The Forest Timeline

Ralph’s Wood is planted with the help of The Forestry Commission – 7200 trees

Dorothy’s Wood is planted, named after Felix’s Mother.

Roman Field Wood in Dorsington planted with beech & larch.

Giddings Wood is planted, adding 32 acres of newly created native woodland.

50,000 trees planted to date.

Forest of Dennis is founded to push the long-term vision forward

Pitchell’s Wood is planted, creating the first 130 acres of the Forest of Dennis

Spernal Estate is purchased, with over 2,500 acres of farmland and woodland

Blenheim Wood is planted.

The first tree nursery is established at Spernal as a pilot project to find out if we can grow from seed.

Planting starts and the first wetland habitat is created on the Spernal Estate.

School visits begin, with the help of The Country Trust

Dorsington Wood is planted.

200,000 trees now planted

Planting continues in both Dorsington & Spernal – Over 200 acres planted this season

The project starts working with The Wildlife Trusts

186 acres of Coughton Park bought for the project

Baylis’s Hill Wood planted.

Over 100,000 trees planted for the first time on one season.

Break through the half a million trees barrier – 549,740 planted

The Forest of Dennis becomes the Heart of England Forest registered charity

The dormouse woodland project gets underway at Spernal

Tree Nursery is relocated to Coughton Park

Further land purchased at Honeybourne.

The 1 Millionth Tree is planted

Founder Felix Dennis passes away but his legacy passes on through the board of Trustees

The first visitor car parks open with 5 different way marked walking routes

Butterfy Conservation recognise HoEF for its promotion of butterfly habitats with the March Lepidoptera Award, while Stratford Ramblers award HoEF ‘Footpath Of The Year’.

Planting of 330 acre and over 145,000 trees is completed at Honeybourne.

484 acres at Coughton Field Farm purchased, which connects land at Middle Spernal.

The Volunteer Hub opens at Coughton Park Tree Nursery.

New land of just over 400 acres purchased at Sheriffs Lench

Forestry Commission statistics confirm that in 2015/16 we are responsible for 15% of all new native broadleaf trees planted in England.

New strategic plan launched identifying the key social, economic and environmental objectives of the charity

The 1.5 Millionth Tree planted in February.

Birds of Prey breeding success – 92 chicks are born, 3 times more than in 2015.

A record breaking planting season – 185,000 trees planted across 272 acres!