Trees supporting Insects

[WoodNymph]

I saw a list once of what trees were best at supporting insects and, therefore, attracted more wildlife but can't remember where. I know that Oak was best, followed by Hawthorn and then Birch but can't remember the others.

Does anyone know a link where I get this info?

[nicole]

Iv got the list in the excellent book:Farming and Wildife by Andrews and Rebane. The list is as follows:

Tree species and Insect/Mite species (in bold)
Willow (5 species) 450
Oak (2 species) 423
Birch (2 species) 334
Hawthorn 209
Poplar (4 species) 189
Scots pine 172
Blackthorn 153
Alder 141
Elm (2 species) 124
Crab apple 118
Wild rose 107
Hazel 106
Beech 98
Norway spruce 70
Ash 68
Rowan 58
Lime (2 species) 57
Field maple 51
Hornbeam 51
Sycamore 43
European larch 38
Juniper 32
Elder 19
Spindle 19
Sweet chestnut 11
Holly 10
Horse chestnut 9
Yew 6

Phew! I hope that helped

[Alan]

What a great list Nicole! Will definitely save it.......or buy the book! Lol

[WoodNymph]

Nicole, thanks sooo much for that. One question though, for Willow is that the ADDED total of the 5 species or just the one that supports so many insects. Must say, that's surprised me that it's first before Oak and also surprised me that Holly is so low down. Thanks again.

[Alan]

Originally Posted by WoodNymph

Nicole, thanks sooo much for that. One question though, for Willow is that the ADDED total of the 5 species or just the one that supports so many insects. Must say, that's surprised me that it's first before Oak and also surprised me that Holly is so low down. Thanks again.

I think its the combined total of the 5 species of the Willow. So if you divide the 2 Oak species, Oak would be top as a single species overall!

[WoodNymph]

Originally Posted by Alan

I think its the combined total of the 5 species of the Willow. So if you divide the 2 Oak species, Oak would be top as a single species overall!

Thanks Alan, I thought that the Oak would have to be top tree!

[nicole]

Originally Posted by Alan

I think its the combined total of the 5 species of the Willow. So if you divide the 2 Oak species, Oak would be top as a single species overall!

That is correct

[svenrufus]

Originally Posted by Alan

I think its the combined total of the 5 species of the Willow. So if you divide the 2 Oak species, Oak would be top as a single species overall!

My thanks too for the great list. Just what I was looking for.

I would like to make one comment on the idea that you divide the total number of beasties by the number of tree types.

I don't think it's that simple. Many species are not specialists to one type of, for example, willow but will use any of the 5. Other species will use only goat willow for the sake of argument. It is possible that each of the 5 willows might support 410 species, 400 of which they all support, 10 of which are specialist, so that taking all 5 species gives a total of 450. The two Oaks on the otherhand could theoretically support 212 species each, only one of which is shared, the rest specialists.

The numbers I have given are not real, just for the sake of argument, and yes, I also think Oak is the top dog, but that list doesn't tell us exactly how many each type of tree supports when they are grouped like that.

Cheers
Sven

[nightshade]

The ideal solution is to plant a mixed hedge of suitable trees

[minime]

Hi

Can I just ask why it is that the oak supports more wildlife than any other tree?