Hornbeam
(Carpinus betulus)
A tree with doubly serated leaves. In autumn, its spring catkins become papery green-winged fruits that hang in tiered clusters.
Growth and size
Mature height: 30m.
Supplied as 20-50cm cell-grown saplings.
Can be planted all year round with proper care.
Value to wildlife
Leaves provide shelter, roosting, nesting and foraging places for birds and small mammals.
Food plant for many insects.
Seeds are eaten by finches, tits and small mammals.
Soil and conditions
Can withstand severe weather.
Grows in almost any light and well-drained soil.
English oak
(Quercus robur)
Also known as common or pedunculate oak. this tree is known for its size, age and acorns.
Growth and size
Mature height: 20-40m.
Supplied as 20-50cm cell-grown saplings.
Can be planted all year round with proper care.
Value to wildlife
Supports more than 2,300 species of insects, birds, fungi and mammals.
Acorns are eaten by squirrels, deer, badgers and birds.
Food plant for caterpillars including purple hairstreak butterfly and many moths.
Soil and conditions
Prefers well-drained, fertile soils.
Thrives in full sun, tolerates light shade.
Needs plenty of space for roots and canopy.
Wild cherry
(Prunus avium)
Produces beautiful blossom in spring and bright fruits in summer.
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
Early source of nectar and pollen for insects including bees.
Cherries are eaten by birds.
Soil and conditions
Grows best in full sun and fertile soil.
Won't tolerate waterlogged soil.
Best planted in a sheltered spot.
Common beech
(Fagus sylvatica)
A fast-growing tree with wavy-edged leaves that turn coppery-bronze in autumn.
Growth and size
Mature height: 40m.
Supplied as 20-50cm cell-grown saplings.
Can be planted all year round with proper care.
Value to wildlife
Food plant for moth caterpillars, including barred hook-tip, clay triple-lines and olive crescent.
Seeds are eaten by mice, voles, squirrels and birds.
Soil and conditions
Grows well in partial shade on well-drained soil.
Not suitable for waterlogged sites.
Rowan
(Sorbus aucuparia)
Creamy-white springtime flowers transform into vibrant orange-red berries in autumn.
Growth and size
Mature height: 15m.
Supplied as 20-50cm cell-grown saplings.
Can be planted all year round with proper care.
Value to wildlife
Source of pollen and nectar for bees and other pollinators.
Host plant for moth caterpillars such as the larger Welsh wave and autumn green carpet.
Berries are eaten by thrushes.
Soil and conditions
Grows in most soils.
Prefers light, well-drained and humus-rich conditions.
Small-leaved lime
(Tilia cordata)
A medium-sized deciduous tree with a spreading crown of glossy, heart-shaped leaves.
Growth and size
Mature height: 30m+.
Supplied as 20-30cm cell-grown saplings.
Can be planted all year round with proper care.
Value to wildlife
Food plant of a number of moth species.
Leaves are eaten by aphids, which in turn provide food for hoverflies, ladybirds and birds.
Flowers provide nectar and pollen for insects, particularly bees.
Long-lived trees provide deadwood for wood-boring beetles and nesting holes for birds.
Soil and conditions
Thrives in well-drained soil.
Alder
(Alnus glutinosa)
A fast-growing native tree with glossy green leaves and striking catkins. Alder thrives in damp soils and supports a wide range of UK wildlife.
Growth and size
Mature height: up to 30m.
Supplied as 20-50cm cell-grown saplings.
Can be planted all year round with proper care.
Value to wildlife
Source of early nectar and pollen for bees.
Seeds eaten by siskin, redpoll and goldfinch.
Host plant for moth species such as alder kitten and blue bordered carpet moth.
Soil and conditions
Tolerates most soils, especially damp or wet areas.
Forms a bushier shape on drier soils.
Sessile oak
(Quercus petraea)
A hardy oak that differs from English oak with its upright trunk, straighter branches, longer stalked leaves and stalkless acorns.
Growth and size
Mature height: 40m.
Supplied as 20-50cm cell-grown saplings.
Can be planted all year round with proper care.
Value to wildlife
Provides a habitat for more than 280 species of insect, which feed birds and other predators.
Bark is a habitat for moss, lichen and liverwort.
Deadwood provides nesting cavities for birds and bats.
Acorns are eaten by birds and mammals, including jays, badgers and squirrels.
Soil and conditions
Does well in most well-drained soils.
Goat willow
(Salix caprea)
In spring, produces male catkins that look like cats' paws.
Growth and size
Mature height: 15m.
Supplied as 20-30cm cell-grown saplings.
Can be planted all year round with proper care.
Value to wildlife
Leaves are eaten by lots of insects.
Food plant of the elusive purple emperor butterfly.
Soil and conditions
Prefers damper areas around ponds or water.
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.
