Dotted around the UK are remnants of ancient woodland that have been planted on with fast growing timber. These are the UK’s Ghost Woods: places haunted by species which could be thriving here. These forests should be alive with birdsong, fungi and wildflowers, but instead they’ve been turned into dark and gloomy tree farms. Whilst some are grown for toilet rolls and biofuels, the poem below is dedicated to the Christmas Ghost Woods.

A real tree, disposed of properly through recycling, is far more sustainable than a plastic one. However, the siting of plantations for Christmas tree cash crops has often been overlooked. In some places these farms are located where the remains of ancient woodland are still buried beneath the plantation. There is a time sensitive opportunity to restore these ancient woodlands and, through this, restore vibrant spaces of biodiversity which act as a haven for endangered native wildlife. We hope that you will therefore share this poem and help us to raise awareness of our lost woodlands and the chance we have to bring them back.

‘Twas the night in a Ghost Wood, when all through the gloom
Not a creature was stirring, beneath the cold moon;
Pine needles were strewn ‘cross the empty brown floor
Where once there were acorns and oh so much more
Where rare slugs once nestled all snug in the leaves
And visions of bluebells once danced in the breeze 
Where dormouse and hedgehog and pipistrelle bat
Would once settle down for a long winter’s nap

But out in the world people started to natter
About habitat loss and why it should matter
Away to the Ghost Woods they flew like a flash
And cried out ‘Some things are worth far more than cash!
Our wildlife needs trees for all seasons and so
These Christmas tree factories just have to go!”
Whilst plastic trees aren’t great for nature, that’s clear 
And we’d prefer real trees at this time of year
Where lively old forests once grew it seems sick
That this precious land’s the location we pick

These wild woods once felled without any shame  
Are haunted by species that we know by name
Wild Primrose! Lime, small-leaved! And Violet Click Beetle!
Hart’s tongue fern! Wild Garlic! Red campion and Spindle!
Each forgotten remnant could answer our call
If we decide that we won’t dash away all
If in these rare places we give it a try
To restore these species before they all die
Our fairy tale forests that now are so few
Could bounce back from the brink and the wildlife there too

If we have ambition then we cannot fail.
Do you care? Will you act on the truth in this tale?
Then there is something that we’d like to propose 
Share this message with all, so that everyone knows
Tell your family and friends of these tree trashing deeds
So they listen to nature and know what it needs
And hear lemon slugs whisper on this festive night
“Happy Christmas to all, but remember our plight!”