Downy birch
(Betula pubescens)
A slender tree with a light canopy filled with diamond-shaped leaves and elegant, drooping branches.
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
Eaten by aphids, which are in turn eaten by ladybirds and other predators.
Food plant for moth caterpillars, including angle-shades, buff tip, pebble hook-tip and Kentish glory.
Seeds eaten by siskin, greenfinch and redpoll.
Soil and conditions
Grows in most soils, except chalk.
Prefers damp sites.
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.
Holly
(Ilex aquifolium)
A much-loved evergreen with glossy, spiny leaves. In winter, female trees produce bright-red berries.
Growth and size
Mature height: up to 15m.
Supplied as 15-30cm cell-grown saplings.
Can be planted all year round with proper care.
Value to wildlife
Foliage provides year-round shelter for birds and insects.
Winter berries are an important food source for birds including thrushes.
Food plant for holly blue butterfly caterpillars.
Soil and conditions
Thrives in well-drained, fertile soils.
Tolerates sun and partial shade.
Can be grown as a tree, hedging or topiary.
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.
Goat willow
(Salix caprea)
In spring, produces male catkins that look like cats' paws.
Growth and size
Mature height: 15m.
Growth rate: 40-50cm per year.
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.
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.
