Blog - Restoration

Over the next few weeks we'll be saying goodbye to the much-loved Exploratree play equipment at Westonbirt Arboretum. But fear not! Plans are underway for new and exciting play areas in the future.

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.

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...

Earlier this year, the Coppice Regeneration Project saw the completion of a purpose-built shelter for the Coppice compound at Westonbirt Arboretum, thanks to funding from The Friends through the continued support of members and donors. Find out more...

After introducing Oscar and his role a couple of months ago, he has been busy behind the scenes planning and making progress getting ready for the project to regenerate a part of Silk Wood. Read on to learn about his trip to Delamere Nursery...

Coppicing is a traditional forestry practice with many benefits for both the environment and human society. Learn more about this sustainable forestry practice and how it is being used to restore derelict coppice at Westonbirt.

In January 2023, we welcomed Oscar Adams to Westonbirt Arboretum as the new Silk Wood Project Manager. We caught up with Oscar to find out more about him, his role and the future of Silk Wood...

Over the last few months, Westonbirt Woodworks has been a hubbub of activity as we have transformed the site into a centre for showcasing timber at Westonbirt Arboretum – a key part of the story in the lifecycle of our trees.

Since our last blog post, there have been some fairly big changes to the way things are looking down at Westonbirt Woodworks.

Thanks to generous donations given to support the restoration of Westonbirt Woodworks the next phase of the project is well under way - creating a Demonstration Area.

Over the last few weeks, some of you will have noticed we’ve been quite busy beneath the STIHL Treetop Walkway…..