At Forestry England, we are responsible for caring for some of the most important landscapes in the country, including woodlands with centuries of natural and cultural history. One of our long-term commitments is to keep restoring Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS), which form an important part of the nation’s forests. Discover more about PAWS, why they matter, and how we’re using our expertise to restore them.
What is a PAWS?
PAWS stands for 'Plantation on Ancient Woodland Site.' These are ancient woodlands that were planted with conifers or other non-native trees, often in the 20th century, as part of efforts to rebuild timber supplies after wartime deforestation.
At the time, the conservation value of these ancient woodlands was not fully understood, and the focus was mostly on meeting national timber demand.
Important and historical habitats
Although these sites may look a lot like other plantations today, if you look closely, you can see signs of their long history, such as mighty veteran oak trees, bluebells and other wildflowers. Hidden beneath the surface, PAWS still have many of the things that make ancient woodlands special: rich soils and vital underground ecological networks. That’s why they're a high priority for restoration, and we’re working hard to do our bit.
Next time you are in the nation’s forests, maybe have a look for these hints of the past.
Our commitment to restoring PAWS
We manage around 43,000 hectares of PAWS across England. We made our initial commitment to their restoration in 2007 and restoring them has been a core focus of our work for many years since.
This important task continues today, with all of our PAWS sites being restored. For some sites, this has been more challenging than others due to poor access for machinery.
Restoring PAWS is not an easy task. Each site is carefully assessed to help us decide the best way to work, taking into account its unique characteristics, local ecology, and the surrounding landscape. We are gradually returning these areas to native, broadleaf woodlands — rich in wildlife, resilient to environmental change, and reflecting their deep historical roots. You can find out more in our Biodiversity Plan.
What does restoration involve?
Restoring PAWS often begins with the selective thinning or removal of non-native conifers to reduce shading and allow more light to reach the forest floor. This creates the right conditions for native species such as oak, birch, and hazel to regenerate naturally and begin to reclaim the woodland.
Alongside this, we control invasive plant and tree species that can threaten native species as they grow. However, sometimes the pressure from species such as deer and squirrels stops natural tree regeneration. This means we might take faster, more expensive, but more direct approaches, including small-scale felling and replanting.
Monitoring and support
Throughout the restoration process, we monitor how the woodland responds and support wildlife returning as the ecosystem gradually re-establishes itself. Each site is different and presents its own set of challenges, but with patient, consistent management, the ancient woodland characteristics can return and begin to thrive once more.
Restoring woodland and growing timber - together
Restoring ancient woodland and producing sustainable timber complement each other: they are part of the same long-term vision for healthy, resilient forests. Another core part of our work is creating new woodlands as sources of sustainably-grown timber, alongside being open for public access and enjoyment and becoming thriving homes for wildlife.
Many of the trees originally planted on PAWS were grown to supply timber for the nation to be ready for when it was urgently needed. As these plantations mature, we carefully harvest them in a way that supports the woodland’s gradual return to native, broadleaf species.
This approach allows us to reduce the country’s reliance on imported wood and increase the use of homegrown, renewable materials, all while restoring complex ecosystems and protecting the legacy of England’s ancient woodlands.
What next?
Currently, a third of our PAWS are restored native woodland, but another third remains more than 80% non-native tree species. While we’re pleased with our achievements so far, we have only been successful with the easy wins.
We’ve got a long way to go, and in the midst of a nature crisis, we need to move faster. We’re strengthening our ability to deliver PAWS restoration through training, guidance, and direct support to our staff on the ground - ensuring these magnificent ancient woodlands are brought back to their former glory.
