Native Trees And Shrubs
As a rule of thumb the longer a tree has been here, the more species are dependent on it - which is why native trees are so important in supporting biodiversity in the UK. Before early Iron Age clearances the dominant habitat here was wildwood, which by around 1200 had become much reduced woodland, much of it intensively but sympathetically managed in a familiar rural landscape (for the best account read Oliver Rackham's
Trees and Woodland in the British Landscape).
Over more recent history different species have become threatened as ancient woodland continues to come under pressure from development. Some, like the
Black Poplar have fallen victim to changing land use. Others are threatened by disease, climate change, or fashion. Although we’ve suggested what grows best where, look around your area to see what’s growing well before buying - practice often contradicts theory. From an aesthetic and environmental point of view, planting the same species in a clump can work very well. We’ve also given you a guide as to how big some of these trees will grow, which is obviously important to bear in mind, particularly when planting close to buildings.
If you are interested in large scale habitat creation we can offer you an
advisory service including habitat surveys and management plans.
The gorse is fab - I planted some a couple of years ago and your plants are far superior
(Pat, Buckinghamshire)
