Royal Forestry Society - RFS

14/05/2026

For Plant Health Week 2026, we're looking at scientists and introducing our newest colleague! Professor Melanie Smith, Research Coordinator, shares an early fascination with nature, who inspired her, and the journey through academia to her current 'discovery mode' in post at Action Oak .

www.rfs.org.uk/news-list/research-coordinator-career/

14/05/2026

Last night it was one of our favourite events; a chance to get our gladrags and shine our shoes on, to socialise with our incredible and diverse members at our Annual Study Tour President's Reception, and enjoy the Annual Dinner.
Big thanks to Professor Julian Evans, our speaker for the evening, and for all who attended.

(Find out more about where we've been this week via Instagram)
𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗛𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗹, 𝗦𝗽𝗮 & 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲

13/05/2026

“We all need to be more aware of tree health, because we all have a responsibility... We just need to be more vigilant and more aware, for Plant Health Week or any week really.”
Eve Over, Warden of Charles Ackers Redwood Grove and Naylor Pinetum at Leighton

Read more: www.rfs.org.uk/news-list/plant-health-heroes/

12/05/2026

🌳 Plant Health Week: Why Biosecurity Matters

Did you know? Just one in twenty people fully understand the term biosecurity and thirty per cent have never heard of the word. To help get to grips with how plant health threats can impact us all, we dive into the national security impact, and how we can protect our trees and woodlands.

👉 www.rfs.org.uk/news-list/plant-health-week-why-biosecurity-matters

11/05/2026

🪲 Pests and diseases are shaping how foresters create and manage woodlands. Climate change is exacerbating these threats as extreme weather events increase the vulnerability of trees to pests and pathogens.

This Plant Health Week, we've compiled five case studies from our Grants for Resilient Woodlands programme. Each of them shows how landowners and foresters are future-proofing their woodlands.

👉 https://rfs.org.uk/news-list/plant-health-week-planting-woods-for-the-future/

11/05/2026

🌳 If you go to the woods today (specifically in the New Forest and elsewhere in southern England) you're in for a nice surprise: the Royal Forestry Society members have gone foresting and we'll be sharing their adventures all week.

In the words of Southern Division Chair, William Hamer: "we have something to show and much to learn"! Follow along via instagram for an insight into our best-loved event!

08/05/2026

📖 Share your story.
💪 Celebrate women in forestry.

Share your story about a woman who has inspired you in forestry, whether a colleague, mentor, friend, family member, or historical figure. Women have played vital roles in forestry, often without recognition. Submit your contribution to help build a digital archive that honours these contributions, preserves their stories, and inspires future generations.

🌳 Find out more: www.rfs.org.uk

06/05/2026

"The problems are not new, they’re decades old. We’ve either not found a way to solve them or there is no commitment to do so... It is unsustainable. There is only so much someone can take before they pack it in and leave the industry or worse."
- Nick Adams, FCA

⚠️ The Breaking Points Report brings together the findings of the survey to provide clear evidence to support the lived experiences that drove the concern of this working group. It is intended to inform and guide future interventions, supporting organisations to improve mental health and well-being for those working in the forestry sector.

👉 Read more: https://rfs.org.uk/news-list/breaking-points-new-report-mental-health-crisis-forestry

"We simply must address the mental wellbeing of those who work in our sector, and I sincerely hope this report will provide the evidence and impetus to bring about the change we need to see."
- RFS CEO Christopher Williams


Confor Forestry Commission Forestry Contracting Association RABI Small Woods

05/05/2026

01/05/2026

🌳 So, you own a woodland!

Certain plants can suggest you are standing in ancient woodlands - the more of them that appear, the more likely it is.

👉 https://rfs.org.uk/learning/so-you-own-a-woodland/

This introductory guide to woodland management is a free resource and part of the Woods for Tomorrow pilot project kindly funded by the Forestry Commission .
Read a section along with us each month to learn more about how to best manage your woodland.

30/04/2026

🌳 Woodland Meetings in May!

🔴 7th: Kindly hosted by the National Trust, we'll look at the management of veteran and ancient trees in a SSSI parkland: Chirk Castle & Estate, Wrexham. North Wales Division.
🔴 8th: We will look at recent work undertaken and consider resilience and climate change in RFS-owned and managed woods: Hockeridge & Pancake Woods. Oxon & Bucks Division.
🔴 12th: We will discuss the cultivation of palms. The Palm Centre, Richmond. London & Middlesex Division.
🔴 14th: More info to come. Euston Estate, Thetford. East Anglia Division.
🔴 14th: Kindly hosted by Sir Tatton Sykes, we will look at woodland management within a Wolds landscape. Sledmere Estate near Driffield. Yorkshire Division.
🔴 15th: Kindly hosted by The Woodland Trust we will look at plantations on Ancient Woodland Site (PAWS) restoration, Statutory Plant Health Notice (SPHN) work and native woodland creation. South Park, Tyne Riverside Country Park, Prudhoe. North Eastern Division.
🔴 20th: Hosted by Forestry Commission we will look at assessment and adaptation to the threats of climate change. Culm Davy, Wellington. Somerset & Dorset Division.
🔴 21st: Kindly hosted by Forestry England we will look at beech thinning, birch, and oak nest planting, pruning and thinning. Also CCF management on steep ground. Messengermire & Dodd Wood, Keswick. North Western Division.
🔴 21st: We will look at conversion of estate grown timber, restocking of clear-fell sites and thinning and respacing in continuous cover systems. Lydney Park Estate. Gloucestershire Division.
🔴 27th: We will look at evolving CCF of various hardwoods and conifers. We will also discuss squirrel damage, deer fencing, and eucalyptus planting to replace ash. Lowley Woods & Whitemoor Farm Woods. South Western Division.

👉 For more information about these events and many more head to www.rfs.org.uk/events.