Living Woods CIC

14/10/2026

Did you know Northumberland is home to some very special ancient woodlands?

Our woods are so much more than a collection of trees. They are living habitats, full of history, wildlife and hidden wonders.

From mosses and woodland flowers to birds, insects and red squirrels, every part of a woodland has a role to play.

Protecting existing woods, caring for native trees and creating new woodland helps give nature the space it needs to thrive.
At Living Woods, we believe that looking after our woodlands today means a better future for wildlife and generations to come.

www.living-woods.org.uk

13/10/2026

Red Squirrels in Northumberland – A Treasure Worth Protecting!

There’s something truly special about spotting a red squirrel in our Northumberland woodlands. With their beautiful russet coats, tufted ears and busy little personalities, these wonderful creatures are a much-loved part of our natural heritage.

Our woodlands provide a vital home for these beautiful animals and countless other species. Protecting and caring for our trees and woodland habitats helps wildlife thrive and keeps our natural environment flourishing for future generations.

At Living Woods, we’re passionate about looking after our woodlands and creating spaces where nature can flourish.

Have you been lucky enough to spot a red squirrel in Northumberland? Tell us about your sighting in the comments!

12/10/2026

Fancy getting outdoors and making a difference?
Come and volunteer with Living Woods!

From coppicing and tree planting to woodland management and protecting young trees, there are plenty of ways to get involved, learn new skills and help nature thrive.

Whether you're a nature lover or simply fancy trying something new, we'd love to have you join us!

Ready to get involved? Find out more and sign up here:
https://living-woods.org.uk/volunteering/

Every helping hand makes a difference!

09/10/2026

HORSLEY WOODS – COPPICING SEASON BEGINS!

We’re back at Horsley Woods this Sunday 11th October as we get the new coppicing season underway!

Coppicing is an age-old woodland practice that helps keep our woods healthy, encourages new growth and creates valuable habitats for wildlife.
Come along and volunteer with Living Woods — whether you’re an experienced woodland worker or you’ve never tried coppicing before, there’s a chance to get involved, learn something new and enjoy a day outdoors.

It’s a great way to meet like-minded people, get some fresh air and help look after our local woodland.

📅 Sunday 11th October
🌲 Horsley Woods
🙌 Volunteers welcome!
Find out more and get involved:
🌐 www.living-woods.org.uk

08/10/2026

COME ALONG & HELP CARE FOR A TINY FOREST!

Join Living Woods at Apperley Tiny Forest on Monday 12th October, 3.30pm–6.30pm.

Ever wondered what a Tiny Forest is and how these little woodlands can make such a big difference?

There are 10 Tiny Forests in public places and schools across the North East, helping to increase biodiversity and biomass while giving local communities the chance to get involved.

Come along, drop by and learn more about Tiny Forests
* Help with some simple maintenance tasks
* Take part in citizen science
* Discover more about your local Tiny Forest

Best of all, it’s FREE!

Whether you're already passionate about nature or simply curious to find out more, everyone is welcome.

📅 Monday 12th October
⏰ 3.30pm–6.30pm
📍 Apperley Tiny Forest

🎟️ Book your FREE place here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/caring-for-your-tiny-forest-tickets-2003072587029

Come along, get involved and help your local Tiny Forest thrive!
North East Community Forest

07/10/2026

There’s something magical about autumn…

The trees put on one of nature’s most beautiful displays, changing from lush greens to stunning shades of golden yellow, fiery orange, deep red and rich brown.

Everywhere you look, there’s a different colour and a different view to enjoy. The crisp leaves under your feet, the cooler days and that unmistakable feeling that the seasons are changing.

Autumn reminds us to slow down for a moment and appreciate the simple beauty all around us.

What’s your favourite thing about autumn?

06/10/2026

The battle of the hazelnuts!

Remember our little experiment to try and stop the squirrels getting to all the Hazelnuts?
Well, it worked really well on the Hazel coppice stools at Tod’s Place. That means we’ve got a good chance of growing some new Hazel from some of the really old coppice stools in Cockshott Wood, also part of Tod’s Place.

Things didn’t go quite as well at Horsley though! The squirrels there were clearly not giving up without a fight and managed to chew holes in the netting in quite a few places.

All the nets have now been collected back in and are being sorted and repaired, ready for another go at sowing Hazel this winter.
Sometimes woodland work is as much about outsmarting the wildlife as it is about planting trees!

05/10/2026

Great to be back in Horsley Woods with our volunteers, getting things ready for the start of coppice season

There’s plenty to see at this time of year, with the woods full of autumn colours, berries and fruits. It’s a lovely time to be out in the woodland, getting stuck into some practical work and seeing the seasons change around us.

Fancy joining us?

We have volunteering opportunities during the week and at weekends, so there’s something to suit most people.

Find out more and sign up here:
https://living-woods.org.uk/volunteering/

Come and get involved – you might even discover a new favourite bit of woodland!

02/10/2026

02/10/2026

We spend a lot of time protecting young trees from hungry wildlife – voles, rabbits, hares and deer can all cause serious damage when trees are still small.

Unfortunately, someone removed the tree guard from this young Medlar at Hetton Community Orchard. When we returned on Saturday, the rabbits had taken full advantage and stripped the bark almost all the way around the trunk – over 95%.

We’ve put the protection back in place and now it’s a case of keeping our fingers crossed.

Whether the Medlar will survive is touch-and-go, but hopefully it’s tough enough to pull through.
Please leave tree guards and other protection in place – they really do make a huge difference to the survival of young trees