Broadleaf trees

Ash tree

A British and European native species requiring a fairly mild climate and moist but well drained alkaline soils of moderate to high fertility. Ash is light demanding, so plantations require frequent thinning out to maintain high productivity and even rates of timber growth. There are clear advantages in using seed from trees of good provenance. Early stem pruning is also essential if clear blem...[more]

Beech tree

Shady summer green beechwoods are a delight to see and walk in. Beech is potentially a large tree which is thought to be native in the south of Britain, makes a good specimen tree. It produces fine timber trees even on thin chalk and limestone soils. Late spring frosts may be damaging in years when they occur. Grey squirrels and beech bark disease can also be problematical in some areas. B...[more]

Bird Cherry tree

This British native tree produces a fine display of white almond scented flowers in spring. They are erect racemes until fertilized by bees then spreading or pendulous. Small clusters of ovoid bitter glossy-black berries follow if the birds allow them to develop. Bird cherry is a shrubby woodland edge tree, although it is often planted as an ornamental tree for smaller gardens.  It is windfir...[more]

Black Walnut tree

In east and central North America this commercially valuable tree attains 30 metres in height.  It was introduced to Britain before 1656.  Black walnut produces superb dark brown heavy timber. Trees do not transplant easily and they hate cold wet clay soils. Frost can also be damaging. This species can usefully be planted in mixture with cherry or larch. In the arboretum it makes a ...[more]

Common Alder tree

A valuable British native tree species that is known to directly support over 90 different organisms. It will grow on wet sites that are not too acid or flooded for long periods. It fixes nitrogen in nodules attached to its roots. In some areas it is prone to root rot (phytophthora) and should not be planted where this is already evident. Traditionally common alder was coppiced on a 10-15 year ...[more]

Common Walnut tree

Walnut is universally known as a richly figured wood veneer in antique furniture. Especially before about 1750 when mahogany became available. The timber is in as much demand now as it has ever been. Even the roots of good trees are utilised. Plants prefer light fertile soil and need shelter and plenty of space. Walnut probably originated in Greece and was moved all round Europe by the Romans, no ...[more]

Downy Birch tree

This British native birch tree is the best choice for planting on wet sites. It is completely hardy throughout Britain and will provide shelter for other species of trees planted nearby. Downy birch is extremely valuable for wildlife because of the large number of insects and mites which are associated with it. The shoots are purplish brown and covered in soft white hairs (unlike silver birch whic...[more]

Field Maple tree

A deciduous British native tree particularly valued for the wildlife it supports, its small size (seldom over 18 metres tall) and subtle autumn foliage colour. Traditionally it was often managed as underwood game cover and hedgerows. Cutback, or even coppiced, it produces bushy regrowth giving excellent low level shelter from the wind. Before the 1850s 'Birds Eye' maple veneers were cut from field...[more]

Green Alder tree

This small tree or scrubby bush is an ideal plant for site improvement, wind stability and as a nurse to more valuable upland species. It originates in the central European Alps and the mountains of South-east Europe. It is very good for rapidly covering up rocky ground and derelict industrial reclamation sites. It was introduced to Britain in 1820 but has never been widely used. It is completely ...[more]

Grey Alder tree

This is a widely distributed aggressive pioneer species from mainland Europe and Russia, but it is not a British native. A subspecies (rugosa) occurs across North America. It is totally hardy in most of Britain, and thrives on cold wet ground making it ideal for planting on reclaimed and derelict land. It suckers freely and its wide spreading roots fix atmospheric nitrogen. Where the root rot phyt...[more]

Hazel tree

British native hazel is exceptionally valuable for wildlife and habitat conservation. It also provides good foraging and cover for game. Traditionally hazel was coppiced on a short rotation (6-15 years) under a well spaced out crop of standardoaks. Treated this way stools (the roots) are known to live longer than 600 years. The traditional products of the hazel underwood are increasingly sought af...[more]

Holm Oak tree

There are few very large real evergreen broadleaved trees that will grow in Britain. Holm oak is one, it makes a bold statement in the landscape either as a single specimen or better still as a clump. Native of southern Europe and North Africa it was introduced to Britain in the mid sixteenth century. Although widespread in lowland districts this tree thrives best in the south and west, or close t...[more]

Hornbeam tree

This tree is native to Europe and Asia Minor, including southern Britain. It is superficially like beech but is more tolerant of frost and poor ground. The wood is white, hard and heavy, but not flexible. It has few modern uses but it was formerlymuch sought after, not least for fuel because of its high calorific value. As a tree hornbeam is still highly valued. It will grow on stiff clays, thi...[more]

Horse Chestnut tree

Introduced shortly after 1616 from Albania Greece and Bulgaria horse chestnut has virtually become naturalized in Britain. Fully grown specimens require a lot of space but they make ideal park trees and grand avenues. The familiar and much admired 'candle flowers' light up the May landscape. The brittle timber is clean and white but it lacks strength. For internal shelving and fittings it has an a...[more]

Italian Alder tree

Restricted to Corsica and parts of Italy, this tree extends high into cool mountainous country. It was introduced to Britain sometime before 1820. Here it tolerates dryish soils and is therefore less prone to root rot than most other alders.  A lovely and shapely tree distinguished from all other alders by its leaves which are pointed and oval.  It is fast growing, sometimes re...[more]