Blog - Chalara ash dieback

Supporting over 2,300 species, the oak is a true wildlife haven, hosting a diverse range of creatures from insects and birds to mammals and fungi. Its acorns provide a valuable food source for wildlife, and its timber has been used for centuries...

A whirlwind of creativity! We had a blast reviewing the amazing woodland designs created by local school groups. These inspiring ideas will help shape the future of Silk Wood. Stay tuned for updates on the chosen design!...

Sun, plants, and learning! Last month, we joined a Field Studies Council course to learn how to identify woodland plants. It was a fantastic two days of exploring the beautiful Silk Wood and gaining new knowledge about our local ecosystem.

Changes Bristol recently spent a day at Westonbirt Arboretum, nurturing saplings and learning about the vital role forests play in our ecosystem. Discover how this rewarding experience benefitted both their mental well-being and the planet.

This Volunteers Week, see how our amazing team helped the saplings thrive at Silk Wood. They tackled the thistles and brambles, making way for easier access and protecting the new trees. Read more about the hard work, the wildlife encounters, and the "poo-dunnit" mystery!...

It’s been a brilliant few months for us here at the Silk Wood Community Planting Project. Since January over 600 participants came to plant a grand total of 3300 trees! Despite the occasional frost and the, not so occasional, torrential rain our groups put their all into making sure each tree gets the best start and will be there in years to come.

Westonbirt joined forces with Cam Everlands Primary School to plant native trees as part of the Silk Wood Community Planting Project.

Armed with spades, smiles, and enthusiasm, we joined forces with the amazing Westonbirt staff, united by a shared passion for the environment to plant trees as part of the Silk Wood Community Planting Project.

The Silk Wood Community Planting Project is off to a good start in 2024 with local community groups planting the first 200 trees to regenerate a section of Silk Wood at the arboretum.

Silk Wood is stirring. Two years after the loss of its ash trees, this community woodland is poised for a comeback as we embark on the first phase of a three-year regeneration project.

Over the summer, a team of volunteers conducted a baseline survey in Silk Wood to discover which flora and fauna are present after a period of fallow following on from ash tree felling due to Chalara.

We’re thrilled to announce that Westonbirt Arboretum has raised over £350,000 towards Phase One of the ‘Silk Wood Community Planting Project’.

The Silk Wood Community Planting Project is a great example of how schoolchildren can be involved in the design and management of their local environment. Find out more about the recent forest design workshops...