Wood for the Trees

About our latest film

Coppicing is among the oldest known forms of woodland management. Archaeological evidence from the Somerset Levels—specifically the Sweet Track—indicates that coppiced wood was used to construct trackways across the marshes as early as 4,000 BCE. This traditional method of woodland management persisted from the Bronze and Iron Ages through to the relatively recent past, providing essential resources for fuel, tools, and building materials. As Jez Ralph noted in one of our early films, “Wood was the plastic of the past.”

Over the past century, however, extensive changes in industry and material sourcing have led to a dramatic decline in coppicing. The availability of cheaper imported raw materials and shifts in domestic markets reduced its economic viability. In Kent, this decline occurred later than in many other regions, largely due to the fall in hop cultivation and the closure of the Sittingbourne pulp mill in the 1990s, which had previously purchased large quantities of chestnut coppice. Many formerly coppiced woodlands have since been left unmanaged or lost to agricultural expansion and development.

As explored in previous films, when a woodland evolves into an even-aged, closed canopy, a corresponding decline in biodiversity typically follows. Woodlands evolved alongside large herbivores to form dynamic, constantly changing ecosystems. Without the periodic removal of trees or canopy openings that allow light to reach the forest floor, early-succession species diminish. These early stages of growth provide critical habitats for numerous insects, birds, and mammals. The loss of such woodland—compounded by changes in agricultural practices—has resulted in the decline of many key species. Between 1967 and 2022, for instance, the UK’s Nightingale population fell by 90%, largely due to the loss of early-succession habitats needed for breeding. Currently, it is estimated that around 40% of woodland in the UK remains unmanaged.

In this film, we visit two contrasting coppice operations. The first was led by Tom Kemp of Working Woodlands Cornwall, who is restoring an oak woodland owned by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust after eighty years of neglect. His work seeks to balance ecological restoration with the sustainable production of firewood and charcoal for local communities and tourism. We also met John and Arthur Leigh-Pemberton, a fourth- and fifth-generation father-and-son team managing extensive chestnut coppice in Kent. They now produce chestnut pale fencing at scale for both UK and European markets. Through these discussions, we aimed to explore the challenges each operation faces and to understand the differing contexts, objectives, and scales involved in contemporary coppice restoration. Can the oldest form of woodland management bring our woodlands back to life?

About Wood for the Trees

Wood for the Trees is a Community Interest Company dedicated to researching, producing, and sharing high-quality information about trees, woodlands, woodland management, and the many ways they shape climate, nature, people, and place.

What began as a collaboration between filmmaker and outdoor educator Charly Le Marchant and Vastern Timber owner Tom Barnes has evolved into a CIC with a clear public-interest purpose. Today, Wood for the Trees is led by Charly alongside directors Jenny Macdonald and Caroline Wajsblum, building on an established archive, long-standing relationships, and a shared commitment to thoughtful, independent storytelling.

Our work combines research, documentary filmmaking, and public education. We explore trees, woodlands, woodland management, regenerative and ecological forestry, woodland products, and crafts, drawing on current practice, history, and examples from the UK and beyond. We aim to make complex ideas accessible to a wide audience, while remaining grounded in evidence and open to different perspectives.

Charly brings a combination of practical and editorial experience to the project. She has worked with wood and tree planting at Permaculture Education and Event space Coed Hills in Wales, is a Forest School leader, and holds a degree in International Relations with a focus on Environmental Politics. She continues to build strong links across forestry, agroforestry, rewilding, and independent environmental sectors, and is respected for her ability to communicate complex woodland and forestry issues clearly, thoughtfully, and with balance.

Wood for the Trees films have been shared across a wide range of public, professional, and policy-facing settings, and continue to circulate within forestry and environmental networks. They are valued for making complex ideas about woodland management, timber, rewilding, and climate easier to understand without losing nuance. Charly’s work has also led to further commissions from organisations including the Future Trees Trust, Chesterblade Hills, the Royal Forestry Society, CONFOR, and on a DEFRA-funded project.

Both Caroline and Jenny have also supported the social media side of Wood for the Trees, helping to extend the reach of the films and connect the project with wider audiences. All three directors have previous experience running CICs, and together we are committed to creating a credible, well-governed home for serious woodland storytelling and public education.

We act as an independent, public-interest voice, highlighting good practice, encouraging regenerative woodland management, supporting tree planting and the use of local timber and woodland products, and sharing relevant policy and funding news to help promote open, well-informed discussion across forestry, conservation, and wider land-use sectors.

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Series One (2019-2022)

Ideas to help Britain's Forests Grow

A five minute film of expert suggestions to help our forests grow. In the run-up to COP26, hosted in the UK. we collated ideas from a range of perspectives to help our forests thrive.

Part Ten: Rewilding, regenerating the treescape

Part ten of 'Wood for the Trees' was filmed at the Knepp estate in West Sussex. Professor Alastair Driver, director of Rewilding Britain says "you don't need to plant here, trees will find their way." Film-maker Charly Le Marchant finds out how trees fit into the rewilding story.

Part Nine: Sustainable forestry, the need for nurture

Filmed in May 2021 at the Bathurst estate, with forest manager Graham Taylor MBE, of Pryor & Rickett. Generations of forest management at Bathurst has resulted in a productive woodland of exceptionally tall straight trees. Graham says that active woodland management boosts biodiversity, as well as delivering valuable timber.

Part Eight: Growing improved trees for timber and low carbon construction

Featuring the Future Trees Trust, this episode looks at research to find the best genetic materials and test seed sources for future forests. Dr Jo Clark explains the process of studying how families of trees grow in different settings, and selecting the genetic material for new trees that are most likely to grow and thrive.

Part Seven: Agroforestry, the benefits of growing trees on farms

We visit Vallis Veg, an eco-friendly smallholding in Somerset, and find out how planting trees has benefited their farmland. Chris and Cordelia have established an eco-farm and wild campsite on former agricultural land. Planting trees on their farm has provide multiple benefits, including providing a space for Shared Earth Learning forest school. Chris Smaje is the author of 'Small Farm Future'.

Part Six: Small Woodlands: Challenges and opportunities

At the Hillyfield Woodland farm, small woodland owner Doug King Smith explains some of the challenges in restoring small woodlands. Problems with diseases and pests and issues with the planning system have not been easy to deal with, but Hillyfield is now considered a "first class case study" in small woodland management.

Part Five: Recreating a Woodland Culture

Dr Gabriel Hemery of the Sylva Foundation discusses 'Woodland Culture' and how society relates to woods and woodland. He calls for all children to have access to Forest School and discusses the work going on at the Sylva Wood Foundation, to help people and trees grow together.

Part Four: Valuing the Health Benefits of Trees

Suzi Martineau, one of the founders of The Tree Conference, discusses the health benefits of being around trees. Tom Barnes asks how society could put a value on the benefits we feel from being surrounded by healthy trees and woodland.

Part Three: Resilient Woodland

At the Dartington estate, we talk to forester Jez Ralph, Director of Timber Strategies about the history of forestry in the UK, and what the term 'resilient woodland' means. He discusses the benefits of mixed planting, and how to create resilient woodlands in a changing climate.

Part Two: The importance of woodland management

Dougal Driver, CEO of Grown in Britain, talks about how British woodland can produce timber, "an amazing material" for low carbon construction, and he outlines the processes and benefits of woodland management.

Part One What's the future for our forests?

Tom Barnes is managing director and 4th generation owner of Vastern Timber, sawmills that specialise in processing British grown timber. He hopes future generations can continue to work with locally grown wood. Tom says UK woodlands are in peril, maybe at a tipping point, but there's an opportunity to captialise on the political will and public interest to 'plant more trees' and begin a period of great afforestation.

Films exploring the future of our woodlands

Coppicing

About our latest film

About Wood for the Trees

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Ancient Woodland Restoration

Films on the future of forests

Continuous cover forestry

Can sustainable timber and biodiverse ecosystems thrive together?

Series 2