Growing the nation's forests
Stretching across 220 hectares of land on the border between Rutland and Lincolnshire, Clipsham Coronation Wood will leave a lasting legacy for people, nature, and the climate. It is one of our ‘Coronation Woods’, which celebrates the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. The first trees were planted in December 2024, and although it will be several years until the new woodland takes shape, it will stand for many generations to come.
Once established, it will offer diverse habitats for wildlife, including species such as hedgehogs, bats, and woodland birds, and it will give local people a new green space to explore and enjoy. As the trees mature, they will also absorb carbon from the atmosphere, helping to tackle the climate crisis, and, in time, they will also contribute to the UK’s sustainable timber industry.
This is one of many new woodlands we’re creating at Forestry England to help grow the nation’s forests. This work has been made possible thanks to the government’s Nature for Climate Fund.
Work in progress...
We started planting the first trees at Clipsham Coronation Wood in December 2024. The tree species were carefully selected based on their ability to adapt and thrive in our changing climate, as well as in the specific soil conditions in this area.
When planting new woodlands, we always expect that some of the young trees won't survive, especially in their first year. However, the exceptionally dry conditions over the summer of 2025 unfortunately led to a higher rate of tree losses than we would usually expect. For this reason, we replanted some areas of Clipsham Coronation Wood over winter 2025/2026, and have further plans for additional planting. We will continue to monitor the site to ensure the new trees at Clipsham have their best possible start.
Veterans' Oak Project
Clipsham Coronation Wood is part of the Veterans’ Oak project. Thousands of oak trees planted across the woodland, which include red oak and sessile oak, will honour those who served at nearby Second World War airfields such as North Witham, Cottesmore, and North Luffenham. These trees commemorate the men and women involved in the war effort, including the aircrews who took part in the opening stages of D‑Day. As the woodland grows, the oaks will stand as living memorials.
Frequently asked questions about the new woodland
You can view our design plans for Clipsham Coronation Wood and find out more about the public consultation, which was held in 2025, by following this link: Clipsham Coronation Wood - Forestry Commission - Citizen Space
Yes! Once the new woodland has established (ensuring the trees have their best possible start), we will be dedicating the site under the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act. It is intended to be a quiet, natural space primarily for the local community to enjoy and spend time in nature, which is why we have no current plans to create a car park or any visitor infrastructure.
We have carefully planned in detail the trees we are planting in the new woodland. Using a mix of tree and shrub species will ensure Clipsham Coronation Wood is resilient to climate change and tree diseases, while supporting a wide range of wildlife. Some areas will be planted with a mix of trees, including broadleaved trees and conifers. This will complement the local landscape, provide seasonal colour for visitors, and increase resilience. Tree species will include red oak, Scots pine, Douglas fir, spruce, birch, field maple, and rauli beech, amongst others.
