The Top 10 Forest-Based Sports Jerseys of All Time
From football to basketball to baseball, a number of clubs have embraced forest iconography, woodland names, or shades of green in their jerseys; just like the New Forest ThunderKnights! With that in mind, here is our completely objective, entirely scientific, and definitely unbiased rundown of the Top 10 Forest-Themed Sports Jerseys of All Time. 10. Vermont Green FC (USL League 2) Vermont Green FC may be a young club — founded in 2022 — but they’ve already built one of the most distinctive identities in modern football. Their mission goes far beyond the pitch: the club is committed to weaving environmental justice into everything they do, from how they compete to how they operate. That ethos shines through in their 2025 home shirt, a rich forest-green kit wrapped in an elegant ivy pattern that feels equal parts stylish and symbolic. Made from 100% recycled polyester, it’s a jersey that doesn’t just look good, it stands for something. 9. Southampton (EFL Championship) Southampton FC’s 2023/24 Third Kit is the closest thing on this list to our own backyard. Built around the iconic tree in the club crest and officially inspired by the New Forest, it was basically destined to earn a place here. The shirt features a bold, camouflage-style pattern of trees in black, charcoal, and grey. But we can’t help but imagine how sharp it would have looked with a splash of our favourite green! 8. Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA) Timberwolves were always a shoe in for this list, I mean you can’t have timber without a Forest! But to help them place higher the Wolves’ have recently announced the revival of their “Black Trees” jersey, which will feature in the 2025/26 season. 7. Sacramento Republic (USL Championship) With an estimated seven million trees throughout the region, Sacramento’s urban forest is one of the largest in the world. And Sacramento Republic drew inspiration from that for their 2022 “City of Trees” alternate shirt, featuring a green wood-grain pattern across a black background symbolic of the shade from Sacramento’s dense tree canopy and urban forest. 6. Vancouver Canadians (MiLB) The Vancouver Canadians’ Lumberjack Alternate is a masterpiece of Minor League marketing; a jersey that looks like it could win a ballgame and chop firewood without breaking a sweat. Inspired by British Columbia’s logging heritage, it feels like it came straight out of a cabin in the mountains. Worn with equal parts irony and pride, it’s one of the most memorable recent alternates in baseball. 5. Forest Green Rovers (National League) The self-proclaimed “greenest football club in the world” absolutely earns a place here. They’ve gone from traditional stripes to a standout Lime Popsicle base with bold leopard print patterns that make you feel like you’re watching football on a nature documentary channel. Their commitment to sustainability is admirable, and their kits are unmistakable. 4. Nottingham Forest (Premier League) A historic name, a large fanbase, and a badge featuring a tree that’s somehow adorable and intimidating at the same time. Forest may not be known for radical kit changes, after all sometimes classic red done right is all you need. But their 1992/93 third kit is a gorgeous green number. A quiet giant in the woodland jersey category. 3. Portland Timbers (MLS) If you name your team after the local logging industry, you’d better deliver on the forest aesthetics. And the Timbers do just that. Rich greens, axe motifs, and a loyal fanbase that literally cuts a log slice every time the team scores. Their kits ooze lumberjack swagger, and we particularly like this 2024/25 Community Jersey. 2. Portland Hearts of Pine (USL League 1) A cult favourite among sports-shirt connoisseurs, the Portland Hearts of Pine have built an almost mythical reputation for beautifully niche forest-themed kits. Their home “Woods & Water” jersey is the standout: deep green and navy hoops representing Maine’s endless pine forests and sprawling coastline, tied together with a wonderfully retro collar and a splash of red that pops like a campfire ember in the dark. It’s the kind of jersey that says, “Yes, I hike, and yes, I know what craft beer pairs with a 4–3–3 formation.” A perfect fit for any ranking celebrating tree-powered greatness. 1. New Forest ThunderKnights (South West & Wales Baseball League) Now, some will claim that placing ourselves at number one is biased.They’re right.But also: we simply don’t care. You just can’t beat this….. can you?