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About

The changing climate will have a wide range of impacts across the UK, including to our trees and woodlands, including warmer temperatures and altered rainfall patterns.

The main risks to forests are drought, wildfires, windthrow, flooding, unseasonal frost, pests and diseases.

Woodland owners and managers should assess the level of risks that climate change poses and implement adaptation measures to build resilience.

The Climate Change Hub provides information about climate change risks to UK woodlands and guidance for practitioners to adapt their woodlands. There are also case studies of how others have approached adaptation. If you’re looking for practical guidance on how to get started, head straight to the take action page.

In this section

A brief introduction to the impact of climate change and the associated risks to forests and woodlands.
Find out why undertaking adaptive practice is so important and recommended by the UK Forestry Standard.
Discover some of the roles that trees, forests and woodlands play in helping reduce climate change.

UKFS Adaptation Practice Guide download

The UKFS Practice Guide ‘Adapting forest and woodland management to the changing climate’ guides practitioners through the process from assessing climate change risks to implementing adaptation measures.

Printed copies are available to purchase from Forest Research.

Download the UKFS Adaptation Practice Guide

Printed copies are available to purchase from Forest Research.

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News

The new resources bring together the latest learnings on land regeneration and climate change, and optimal soil thickness for planting on previously used land.

Forest Research has created a shortlist of 28 tree species to help diversify and strengthen Scotland’s forests against pests, disease and climate change.

Forest Research has published a comprehensive set of new carbon information resources on the Climate Change Hub.

The new resources bring together the latest learnings on land regeneration and climate change, and optimal soil thickness for planting on previously used land.

28th January 2026

Forest Research has created a shortlist of 28 tree species to help diversify and strengthen Scotland’s forests against pests, disease and climate change.

29th October 2025

Forest Research has published a comprehensive set of new carbon information resources on the Climate Change Hub.

22nd September 2025

New to Woodland Management?

Climate change is one of the many factors to consider when managing your woodland. We’ve put together some useful resources and guidance to help you get started.

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