Hi, emilytree. I see that this thread is a couple of months old, so I hope that additional info/ideas are still useful to you!
I'd agree with what's been said so far in this thread re suitable species for creating a new woodland.
As for sycamore
Acer pseudoplatanus, when I was first getting involved in conservation about twenty years ago it was seen as a 'pest species' in woodlands, to be ripped out at every opportunity. Nowadays there is more awareness of its conservation value: it establishes well and quickly in most soils and growing conditions, and can be a valuable shelter belt tree (I used to see sycamores growing in tree-denuded Northumberland uplands where few other broadleaf species could cope with the biting winds). It also supports a high biomass of invertebrates, which birds feed on. But... as noted already in this thread, it does cast a heavy shade and will therefore reduce species diversity in the ground layer of a woodland. It can also proliferate in woodland areas which are regularly disturbed (e.g. along rides or where coppicing or felling is carried out). I'd go with the truly native field maple
Acer campestre as suggested by others here - it's a lovely tree with an attractive gnarly growth form and pretty bright yellow autumn leaf colour. Also, what about holly
Ilex aquifolium as one of your species? It grows well in shade (making it a useful understorey species) and is great for birds.
I'd suggest an approach for creating a new woodland would be to visit a few existing semi-natural ancient woodlands in your locality, and record what tree, shrub and non-woody plant species are present. Alternatively, find out if the Woodland Trust and/or Somerset Wildlife Trust have species lists for any woodland sites which they own, and ask them if they're happy to share info with you. This should give you an idea of suitable species to include in your dad's new woodland.
As an ongoing project, why not collect some tree seed from local woodlands next autumn and grow on some of your own trees to add to your dad's woodland? This is free and fun - and you can be sure that you're planting trees and shrubs which are adapted to local soils and climatic conditions.
I don't know which area of Somerset your dad's woodland will be planted in, but South Somerset District Council (SSDC) have produced a handy tree and shrub species guide for planting new woodlands:
http://www.southsomerset.gov.uk/medi...CIES_GUIDE.pdf
SSDC also offer advice on suppliers for native tree species, woodland design and info about grants available for tree planting. Their comprehensive website is at:
South Somerset District Council - Trees for Communities
There is a list of ancient woodland indicator plant species for Somerset, produced by Somerset Environmental Records Centre (SERC): this could be a useful resource for choosing plants for your dad's new woodland. It includes the following species: wood anemone
Anemone nemorosa, wood spurge
Euphorbia amygdaloides, woodruff
Galium odoratum, snowdrop
Galnthus nivalis, tutsan
Hypericum androsaemum, yellow archangel
Lamiastrum galeobdolon, common Solomon's-seal
Polygonatum multiflorum, hard-shield fern
Polystichum aculeatum, goldilocks buttercup
Ranunculus auricormus and early dog violet
Viola reichenbachiana. Tree and shrub species on the list include: wild cherry
Prunus avium, wych elm
Ulmus glabra, yew
Taxus baccata , sessile oak
Quercus petraea and wild service tree
Sorbus torminalis.
For more useful conservation/species info, SERC's website is at
Somerset Environmental Records Centre
Kingsfield Conservation Nursery (Broadenham Lane, Winsham, Chard, Somerset, TA20 4JF; Tel. 01460-30070) is a local supplier of native wild plants and seeds.
It is worth bearing in mind the effects of climate change when choosing your species for planting. Like your dad, I love beech trees... But UK forestry and woodland experts believe that our native beech
Fagus sylvatica is likely to be adversely affected by increasingly drier and warmer weather in southern England, and predictions seem to be that it will eventually be replaced in southern woodlands by ash
Fraxinus excelsior.
You may also want to be mindful of pathogen
Phytophthora ramorum when planting - this causes disease in trees and shrubs (known as Sudden Oak Death in the USA). It is most commonly seen on
Rhododendron ponticum and
Viburnum species, but has also recently been recorded in Somerset on Japanese Larch
Larix kaempferi, Western hemlock
Tsuga heterophylla, beech, oak and birch trees.
As a last piece of advice: resist the temptation to plant larger trees or shrubs for 'instant impact' - smaller plants are more likely than larger ones to tolerate stress when transplanted, establishing better and growing faster. Aftercare in the first few years is also important, e.g. plastic tubes/tree shelters to minimise damage from herbivore grazing and mulching around the base of trees to conserve moisture and reduce competition from surrounding plants.
Best wishes for your woodland project... And do let us know how your dad's woodland develops, it'd be lovely to know how you get on!