Help with environment project needed.

[Wild-Woman]

I had a nice surprise today. I was handed a cheque and told to buy trees.
Basically an agency has given my school a small amount of money for an environment project that will take some years to develop. The first thing we want to do is get some indigenous trees planted soon. Now, I want to get this first bit right. So would someone, who knows about trees, give me some advice on species to encourage wildlife and preparation for planting.
The area already has some poplar trees to guard against the North wind and a small amount of apple and pear trees. The ground was a brownfield site that has been allowed to become sward over some years.
There is also a barrier of brambles that we hope will discourage vandalism.
So, what trees and shrubs and where to start. Thank you for any help, it's much appreciated by myself and 400 kiddies. Julie

[Alan]

Hi Julie, first I’d have good look around the area and see what species of trees seem to be doing well on your particular soil. This should give you a good base to start from. You can then add others to this. It’s ok planting Oak etc, but remember these are slow growing so the current lot of kids may not see the results of the planting for a few years. For this reason I’d mix in some faster growers such as Alder, Guelder Rose or Birch etc, so the kids can see the results more quickly. Maybe even best to plant a hedgerow surrounding the area first!

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

I'd definatly look at planting some Alder as Alan says.They are quite quick growing and are very attractive to birds, especially Goldfinch and Siskin

Maybe intersperse some quick growing species like Alder and Willow with some species that will take time to grow like Oak and Beech. Hawthorn is really good to plant, i particularly like it when it's allowed to grow into a tree rather than just a hedge. You're lucky to already have Brambles as some species like Bullfinch love them

[Wild-Woman]

With the Alder trees, is it possible to get a British species? I've got Italian,Common,Grey and Red. Which one of these? Common?
The birch-would Silver birch be best? It says European so that must include Britain.
I like the Hawthorn idea and the hedge, that would separate it nicely from the field.
Thank you for your ideas so far Lincs and Alan-very helpful. Julie

[honeybee]

who's going to have to plant them? have you thought of getting BTCV involved, they only charge to cover their costs for materials. They do a lot of tree planting for schools etc.

[Tiggrx]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

With the Alder trees, is it possible to get a British species? I've got Italian,Common,Grey and Red. Which one of these? Common?
The birch-would Silver birch be best? It says European so that must include Britain.
I like the Hawthorn idea and the hedge, that would separate it nicely from the field.
Thank you for your ideas so far Lincs and Alan-very helpful. Julie

The only native Alder is Common Alder (Alnus glutinosa) - it is usually a tree of damp places, generally by water.

[nightshade]

Will there be water?,plot the sun around the area to make dappled glades,take note of the
prevailing winds to plan windbreaks.
Trees should interest children as well as being wildlife friendly,Mulberry,Crabapple,Rowan(make sure it is the sort of berry birds like) Medlar, plenty of Nut trees, Conkers,Birch,
to tap for sap, if there is something in it fruitwise the children will have a vested interest
Bullaces if you can find them Hawthorn, Alder,Berbris for vandal proofing

[Lance Morgan]

Originally Posted by nightshade

Will there be water?,plot the sun around the area to make dappled glades,take note of the
prevailing winds to plan windbreaks.
Trees should interest children as well as being wildlife friendly,Mulberry,Crabapple,Rowan(make sure it is the sort of berry birds like) Medlar, plenty of Nut trees, Conkers,Birch,
to tap for sap, if there is something in it fruitwise the children will have a vested interest
Bullaces if you can find them Hawthorn, Alder,Berbris for vandal proofing

Get some Buckthorn (Rhamnus) for the Brimstone butterfly.
Sallow is also very good foodplant for a lot of moth species.

[Earth Hart]

Without a moist soil I'd leave out Alder. Blackthorn, Buckthorn, Rowan, Beech & Common Spindle are the ones I would choose, along with Ash & Oak.

I just love the Spindle Tree.

[eeyore]

Julie take a look here , the woodland trust has free trees available to schools The Woodland Trust

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

I forgot to mention Hazel in my original post

[Alan]

You mentioned above that they had to be European species, but I'd try to stick to British species if you can - or at least North Western European. If this is the case, Medlar and Horse Chestnut would be out as they originate from the Balkans and Greece area.

Sallow are very quick growing and don't have to be on damp soils like Common Alder, but I'd steer clear of the willows (Sallow is Goat Willow) if you are anywhere near services such as drainage pipes as they have a habit of damaging them.

Hazel for sure though - especially for the hedgerow, along with Field Maple and Dogwood maybe! Plus of course the mentioned Hawthorne, Blackthorn and Spindle.

'tis a good project

Alan

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Originally Posted by Alan

'tis a good project

Alan

It is an excellent project, theres a few areas in our part of the country that would make excellent nature reserves if the council was committed to doing it

[nightshade]

I forgot Bird Cherry and the little white star flowers of Spindle with its curious fruits and Woodbine/Honeysuckle,Pachysandra for the ground cover the nuts I mentioned would be the ever useful Hazel of course

[Wild-Woman]

Excellent help everyone. Certainly fired up the greenies at school with the ideas.
Measured out the area today. Got to draw up a plan showing trees etc already on site. Like the idea of a mixed hedge so it's definitely going to have that. I am also going to insist on Brtish species only. Going to see if the Woodland Trust can throw some trees/shrubs into the pot as Eeyore suggested.
The digging will be a joint thing/volunteers,my environment club,professional landscapers that deal solely with school projects.
I'm also thinking of some native wild flower seeds suitable for fairly heavy soil....help Tiggrx!

We're going for mown paths instead of bark chippings. Cheaper to maintain.

Still open to ideas. We're also going to include log piles for insect habitat and fungi btw.

Can't wait. Julie

[Gill Catton]

I'd even go a step further and suggest species of local origin, as hawthorn in Scotland (or worse the Balkans) is likely to flower at a different time than those that grow locally which may make them less useful to invertebrates and the rest of the food chain.

Always wise enquire where saplings you buy are from. Better still grow your own!

[nightshade]

Bark mulch would give invertabrates somewhere to hide
and the birds exercise in finding them
Post Code Plants will tell you what grows best locally

[Wild-Woman]

Good idea Nightshade. That's through the Natural History Museum isn't it? julie

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Has anybody mention Honeysuckle and Nettle both very attractive to species of Butterfly

[Wild-Woman]

We let the nettle go mad. I insist on it! I'd need a Brit species of honeysuckle. Any names?

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

Lonicera periclymenum is the Britsih one i believe, very attactive to White Admiral(so i'm told as i've never seen one )

[lol geoff]

Don't forget to budget for stem protection for the young trees and whips as mower blight is a great killer of young trees planted in amenity areas.

[medusa]

What a lovely project! It's worth geting in touch with the National Tree Council who colect seeds from local trees and grow them. They are having a national tree planting week coming up in November (I think)
National Tree Week

[Wild-Woman]

Project is under way. In total I've ordered about 100 metres of mixed indigenous hedging, about twenty trees and some beautiful shrubs. The man with the knowledge and the trees is brill and loves the fact that we are sticking with British and local species.
I've spent a pretty penny today and felt good doing it. Will post pics as it happens. Julie

[Lincs Yellowbelly]

By the way Julie, if you want any nestboxes for the site give me a shout and i'll quite happily knock a few up for you