We believe that the best species to plant are the ones which occur naturally in the UK and therefore suit our climatic conditions. It has long been recognised that native trees and shrubs are the most valuable because they support a much greater variety of wildlife than imported species and they are more likely to survive and flourish than most introduced species.
When planting trees, it is vital to consider the following in order to ascertain the most suitable species for your needs;
- Location
- Available space
- Soil type
- Growth rates
- Usage
We have created an easy to use chart that breaks down our range of native trees that are grown in Britain according to their suitability against the key criteria listed above.
| Common name | Latin name | Size* | Growth+ | Suits soil type | Uses |
| Apple, Crab | Malus sylvestris | S | M | Calcareous loams & clays | Mixes well. Useful for woodland edge |
| Aspen | Populus tremula | M | R | Damp, heavy clays | Good for wetter areas but not waterlogged, stagnant soils |
| Beech | Fagus sylvatica | L | S | Dry, well drained calcareous soils | Good for underplanting, very shade tolerant |
| Birch, Downy | Betula pubescens | M | R | Dry, acid sites (generally tolerant) | More northerly locations |
| Birch, Silver | Betula pendula | M | R | Dry, acid sites | Does best in groups. Regenerates freely |
| Cherry, Bird | Prunus padus | S | M | Neutral to acid, well drained loams | Suitable for woodland edges |
| Cherry, Wild | Prunus avium | S | M | Well drained, clay soils | Mixes well in woodlands. Useful for edge of woodland |
| Hawthorn | Crataegus monogyna | S | M | Well drained, calcareous soils | Good for underplanting and hedges. Can be laid |
| Holly | Ilex aquifolium | M | S | Well drained neutral to acid soils | Mixes well in woodland |
| Hornbeam | Carpinus betulus | M | M | Heavy, neutral to acid soils | Excellent as coppice understorey. Good fuelwood |
| Lime, Large-leaved | Tilia platyphyllos | L | M | Light, fertile soils | Suitable for planting besides roads |
| Lime, Small-leaved | Tilia cordata | L | M | Light, fertile soils | Grows well with ash. Locally common in ancient woodland |
| Maple, Field | Acer campestre | M | M | Calcareous loams & clays | Hardy, common in hedgerows. Forms tall hedge |
| Oak, Pedunculate | Quercus robur | L | S | Well drained calcareous loams & clays | Very important for wildlife. Plant wherever possible |
| Oak, Sessile | Quercus petraea | L | S | Well drained acid soils | Very important for wildlife. Plant wherever possible |
| Poplar, Black | Populus nigra var betulifolia | L | R | Rich, moist, neutral loams | Good for wetter areas but not waterlogged or stagnant soils |
| Poplar, Grey | Populus x canescens | L | R | Rich, moist, neutral loams | Hybrid between aspen & white poplar |
| Rowan | Sorbus aucuparia | S | R | Dry, light or acid soils | Frost hardy, stands exposure |
| Whitebeam | Sorbus aira | M | M | Calcareous soils | Useful ornamental or nurse tree |
| Willow, Crack | Salix fragilis | M | R | Moist alluvial soils | Plant away from buildings because of large root system |
| Willow, White | Salix alba | M | R | Moist alluvial soils | Plant beside streams or ponds |
| Yew | Taxus baccata | M | S | Well drained, calcareous soils | Poisonous to stock -traditional in churchyards/historic gardens |
* Size – S-small, M-medium, L-large +Growth Rate – S-slow, M-moderate, R-rapid
