The native vegetation was almost entirely destroyed, mainly by feral goats introduced by the Portuguese to provide fresh meat for homeward bound sailors. Large wooded areas were still in existence when the Island was settled 150 years later but with few exceptions these were quickly destroyed.

Evolving in isolation for millions of years the native plants were almost all endemic to the island (found nowhere else). Several of these remarkable and beautiful trees are now lost forever and many more remain precariously poised on the brink of extinction.

The St Helena Gumwood dominated the mid-altitude flora. It became an important source of timber but was soon reduced to isolated trees on cliffs. In 2000 seed was collected from the largest population of trees and then planted by the community, bringing life back to a degraded wasteland that was formerly part of a huge gumwood forest and so creating the Millennium Forest, a legacy of the Island’s spirit of community and conservation in the new Millennium.  

In 2000, with a population of around 4000, on just one of the public planting days about 600 people turned up, and every school age child planted a tree.

Nearly six years later, trees continue to be planted on request, mostly by school children and visitors, who often plant a tree for a relative(s) in the hope they may see their tree in the future or to remember a loved one who has passed away. To date well over 5000 trees have been and the area of Millennium Forest extended.

As it grows the forest has the potential to reduce the threat of extinction of the Gumwood. It has already become a popular place of recreation and education for Islanders and is set to be of great benefit to future generations.

To sponsor a tree costs £5. A tree or trees can be dedicated to someone special. A contribution of £250 to £500 would ensure the planting of a plantation that we could dedicate to a particular person, or group.

We collect the names of everyone who has a tree or trees in the forest. Is your name there?

If you are sending donations or buying a tree(s) please make cheques payable to the Millennium Forest Project and send to: The St Helena National Trust, Broadway House, Jamestown, STHL 1ZZ. Don’t forget to include details of the names to which the trees are to be dedicated.