The Forest Timeline
The story so far









1996
Ralph’s Wood is planted with the help of The Forestry Commission – 7200 trees
2000
Dorothy’s Wood is planted, named after Felix’s Mother.
2001
Roman Field Wood in Dorsington planted with beech & larch.
2002
Giddings Wood is planted, adding 32 acres of newly created native woodland.
50,000 trees planted to date.
2003
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
2004
Spernal Estate is purchased, with over 2,500 acres of farmland and woodland
2005
Blenheim Wood is planted.
2006
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
2007
Planting continues in both Dorsington & Spernal – Over 200 acres planted this season
2008
The project starts working with The Wildlife Trusts
2009
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
2011
The Forest of Dennis becomes the Heart of England Forest registered charity
2012
The dormouse woodland project gets underway at Spernal
Tree Nursery is relocated to Coughton Park
Further land purchased at Honeybourne.
2013
The 1 Millionth Tree is planted
2014
Founder Felix Dennis passes away but his legacy passes on through the board of Trustees
2015
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.
2016
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.
2017
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!