About

Action Oak is an initiative to protect our oak trees

VISION

 

A UK where our native oak trees are protected and flourish, both now and in the future.

 

MISSION

 

Our mission is to lead the vital work and research to protect our native oak trees and safeguard their future.

 

VALUES – (GUIDING PRINCIPLES)

 

– Protect our native oaks for future generations.

– Be collaborative, innovative and committed in our research.

– Share findings with practitioners to grow healthier, stronger trees.

– Raise public awareness and appreciation of our native oaks and the important role they play in our landscapes as a habitat for wildlife.

Together we can protect our oak trees for future generations

The programme of activities which the Action Oak partnership has identified to protect oak trees includes:

  • Working with owners and managers of oak trees and woodlands to help to protect the trees from a range of threats
  • Funding research to improve our understanding of the threats to our oak trees and to inform best management practices
  • Using established professional and citizen science networks to record changes in the distribution, age and health of our oak trees to identify priority areas for action
  • Encouraging organisations to join the Action Oak partnership and people to support Action Oak

Help to protect our oak trees

To protect our oak trees, we need your support. We need more partners, more funding, more sponsorship, plus your time, your expertise and contacts.

If you would like to support Action Oak, please contact the Action Oak partnership

Contact us

Oaks shape our landscape

There are around 121 million oak trees in UK woodland, with almost 1 million in London alone.

The UK has more ancient oak trees than all other EU countries combined.

 

Oaks support our environment

38 oak trees need to be grown to absorb the carbon emissions of the average car.

Oak trees are the UK's most important tree for biodiversity, supporting around 2,200 species. This is more than any other native tree species.

 

Oaks have shaped our history

Over 5,000 oaks were used in the construction of HMS Victory, Lord Nelson's flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

Around 660 tons of oak timber were used to build the hammer-beam roof in Westminster Hall in 1393.

Photograph by John Glover

Our iconic oak trees face a fight for survival against pests and diseases that have the potential to devastate the oak population.

These include

  • Oak processionary moth
  • Acute oak decline
  • Xylella fasitidiosa
  • Root-attacking species of honey fungus
  • Powdery mildews.

Losing oak trees from our landscape will impact our well-being, economy, environment and the species that depend on them.

Research and monitoring has begun but we must do more to ensure we protect our majestic oak trees for future generations to enjoy.

Losing oak trees from our landscape will impact our well-being, economy, environment and the species that depend on them.

Who is involved?

A steering committee oversees Action Oak made up of the founding partners:

There are also two subcommittees: Knowledge into Action & Research and Monitoring.

We collaborate with the following partners to fulfil these committees.

Currently, there are over 30 different organisations involved in Action Oak. If you would like to join us, please get in touch.

Support us

With your support, Action Oak will protect our iconic trees for future generations.

Donate to Action Oak today!