Forests

Our six stamps capture beautiful and inspirational views in Forestry Commission and related forests in the four countries of the UK, capturing the character and varied colours of these public woodlands and the national arboretum. The Forestry Commission was founded in September 1919, initially to reforest the UK for timber after the first world war had seen clearances of huge areas for the war effort. It is the public body responsible for managing and growing public forests and woodland. In the last century the UK has more than doubled its tree cover to almost 12% of its land area. As well as providing sustainable timber to UK industry, in the last 50 years the Commission’s focus hasgrown to embrace other areas. It is active in wildlife conservation especially endangered bird and butterfly species, the preservation of national parks, and is expert in scientific research on pests and diseases, and the response to climate change. It is also the biggest provider of outdoor recreation in the UK, as it welcomes 600 million visits per year to its forests and woodlands.