The Forestry England of today began life in 1919 as part of the Forestry Commission, when the Forestry Act was first introduced to address severe timber shortages in Britain after the First World War. In the century that followed, we’ve led the way in developing sustainable, multi-purpose forestry, bringing outdoor recreation to millions of visitors and supporting nature recovery.
The early years
At the end of the First World War in 1918, woodland cover in Britain had fallen to just 5%. The Forestry Act of 1919 set out to reverse this by creating state-owned forests and developing forestry as an industry.
The first trees were planted by the newly formed Forestry Commission at Eggesford Forest, Devon, in December 1919. By the end of the 1920s, the nation’s forests had grown to 600,000 acres (243,000 hectares) with over 152 forests. Ambitious projects were underway, including plans to create the largest man-made forest in western Europe at Kielder in Northumberland.
Expanding horizons
The 1930s and 1940s saw rapid expansion in the forestry sector. The first National Forest Park opened in 1935, encouraging public outdoor recreation with two campsites and a dedicated visitor centre.
The outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939 created a sudden need for millions of tonnes of timber, used for railways, mining, aircraft production and even for charcoal gas mask filters. With men being conscripted into the armed forces and depleting the existing forestry workforce, the Women's Timber Corps was created in 1942 to provide much-needed boots on the forest floor.
After the war, the importance of having a homegrown timber supply was recognised by the government and forestry became a department with its own minister, accountable to Parliament. Scientific research also took root with the opening of Alice Holt Lodge in 1946, where a research station was created.
Balancing nature and people
In May 1956, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh each planted a tree at Eggesford Forest in Devon, commemorating our one millionth planted acre at the place where the very first Forestry Commission tree was planted in 1919.
By the 1960s, the Forestry Commission had embraced landscape design and wildlife conservation, appointing Dame Sylvia Crowe as our first landscape consultant, and a wildlife officer. Public access was expanded and an arts programme created, and by the 50th anniversary in 1969, the nation’s forests welcomed 15 million visits every year.
Challenges and change
The later 20th century brought challenges such as the spread of Dutch elm disease and the Great Storm of 1987, which blew down 50 million trees.
The forestry sector continued to adapt and develop, with mechanisation boosting timber production, and initiatives such as Community Forests revitalising urban fringe areas.
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Forestry England today
The Forestry Commission now has three separate organisations:
- Forestry England is responsible for caring for the nation’s forests and its recreational, biodiversity and timber activities.
- Forest Research leads on the latest forestry and environmental research.
- The Forestry Commission in England continues to work on forestry policy, grants for private woodland owners, licences and providing sector advice.
Today, Forestry England is the largest provider of recreation and tourism in England. We manage more than 250,000 hectares of land with a range of habitats including heathland and peatland. We also protect and advocate for nature and wildlife, and welcome around 300 million visits every year.
England’s forest cover has doubled since the original Commission was formed in 1919, and continues to expand. Forestry supports people’s mental and physical health, creates homes for nature and contributes hundreds of millions of pounds to the economy.
