Hazel
(Corylus avellana)
Downy leaves, springtime catkins (known as lambstails) and shiny brown nuts in autumn.
Growth and size
Mature height: 8m.
Supplied as 20-50cm cell-grown saplings.
Can be planted all year round with proper care.
Value to wildlife
Source of early pollen for bees.
Host plant for moth caterpillars such as the large emerald and barred umber.
Nuts are a favourite food of birds and mammals, including hazel dormice.
Soil and conditions
Tolerates shade in non-acidic, well-drained soils.
Can be planted as part of a native hedgerow.
Dogwood
(Cornus sanguinea)
Creamy white flowers in spring, red leaves and black berries in autumn, and shimmering crimson and orange stems in winter.
Growth and size
Mature height: 4m.
Supplied as 20-30cm cell-grown saplings.
Can be planted all year round with proper care.
Value to wildlife
Food plant of some moths, including the case-bearer moth.
Flowers provide nectar and pollen for insects.
Berries are eaten by many mammals and birds.
Soil and conditions
Very hardy.
Grows well in sun or partial shade in a range of soils.
Hawthorn
(Crataegus monogyna)
Produces white-pink blossom in May that becomes ruby-red berries, called haws, in summer.
Growth and size
Mature height: 10m.
Growth rate: 40-60cm per year.
Supplied as 20-50cm cell-grown saplings.
Can be planted all year round with proper care.
Value to wildlife
Supports more than 300 species of insect.
Flowers are eaten by dormice.
Source of pollen and nectar for bees and other pollinators.
Haws are eaten by migrating birds such as redwings.
Soil and conditions
Shade-tolerant.
Prefers non-acidic, well-drained, moist soils.
Can be planted as part of a native hedgerow.
Dog rose
(Rosa canina)
A shrub with pale pink flowers in spring and glossy rose hips in autumn.
Growth and size
Mature height: 1.5m.
Supplied as 20-30cm cell-grown saplings.
Can be planted all year round with proper care.
Value to wildlife
Source of nectar for insects.
Hips are eaten by birds and mammals.
Soil and conditions
Prefers full sun and moderately fertile, moist and well-drained soil.
Tolerates poor soil.
Apply a balanced fertiliser and mulch in late winter or early spring.
Crab apple
(Malus sylvestris)
Sweet-smelling spring blossom and rosy, crunchy, tart autumn apples that are perfect for jams and jellies.
Growth and size
Mature height: 10m.
Supplied as 20-50cm cell-grown saplings.
Can be planted all year round with proper care.
Value to wildlife
Source of early pollen for bees and other insects.
Apples are eaten by birds including thrushes.
Also enjoyed by mammals including badgers, voles and mice.
Soil and conditions
Tolerates most soil types and dryness.
Prefers sun or semi-shade.
Field maple
(Acer campastre)
This compact tree has attractive five-lobed leaves that turn a rich golden yellow in autumn.
Growth and size
Mature height: 20m.
Supplied as 20-50cm cell-grown saplings.
Can be planted all year round with proper care.
Value to wildlife
Leaves are eaten by aphids, who attract predators including ladybirds, hoverflies and birds.
Food plant of several moths, including sycamore moth, mocha, maple pug, small yellow wave, the prominent and maple prominent.
Flowers are a source of nectar and pollen for bees.
Birds and small mammals eat the fruit.
Soil and conditions
Grows well on most sites, except particularly waterlogged soils.
Blackthorn
(Prunus spinosa)
A spiny, densley branched tree that produces white flowers in early spring and purple-black fruits (sloes) in late summer.
Growth and size
Mature height: 4m.
Supplied as 20-50cm cell-grown saplings.
Can be planted all year round with proper care.
Value to wildlife
Early source of nectar and pollen for bees and other insects.
Food plant of lackey, magpie, swallow-tailed and yellow-tailed moths, as well as black and brown hairstreak butterflies.
Birds often nest among the dense, thorny thickets.
Soil and conditions
Grows in moist, well-drained soil.
Prefers full sunlight.
Silver birch
(Betula pendula)
A graceful tree with light, triangular-shaped leaves and distinctive, silvery-white peeling bark.
Growth and size
Mature height: 25m.
Supplied as 20-50cm cell-grown saplings.
Can be planted all year round with proper care.
Value to wildlife
Seeds are eaten by long-tailed tits, siskin, greenfinch and redpolls.
Food plant for more than 300 species of insect.
Soil and conditions
Prefers sandy or acidic soils.
Will grow in most conditions.
