Restoring ancient woodland with The Tank Museum
We’re proud to be partnering with The Tank Museum to restore ancient woodland at Queen’s Copse, just 25 miles from the museum in Wimborne, Dorset.
Queen’s Copse is a previous ancient woodland site currently dominated by non-native Western Hemlock trees, which are an important tree for timber production in the appropriate setting. As part of our ongoing commitment to restoring ancient woodland, and with support from The Tank Museum and its visitors, we are working to return this woodland to its natural character. We are aiming to replace the trees on this site with native broadleaves such as oak, hornbeam, and field maple, sourced from climate-matched seed or cuttings. These species have been selected not only for their ecological value, but also to restore natural character, enhance soil health, and build resilient wildlife populations.
How The Tank Museum is supporting the project
The Tank Museum is encouraging its visitors to donate a tree when purchasing admission tickets, aiming to raise £30,000 to fund the planting of 5,000 native trees at Queen’s Copse. Each £6 donation covers the cost of a professionally planted sapling, complete with a stake and protective guard. Forestry England will manage the planting and provide up to 10 years of aftercare, drawing on over a century of woodland expertise to ensure each tree has the best possible chance of survival.
Why this matters
Partnerships Manager, Leif Mann, Forestry England said:
“Our aim is to return this woodland to its original character so we can create a biodiverse habitat that captures carbon, supports wildlife, and thrives for future generations to enjoy.”
The Tank Museum’s Head of Visitor Experience & Commercial, Rosanna Dean said:
“The Tank Museum doesn’t charge for parking. Our hope is that those who can afford it will make a favourable comparison between the cost of a tree and a day’s parking – and be as enthusiastic about shaping the future as we are about preserving the past.”
Want to contribute?
You can support this project directly through The Tank Museum’s ticketing platform, or click here to donate a tree yourself.
