Trees for wildlife

[werdnal]

We have a 1½ acre field in front of our house, currently grazed by our pony and 2 goats, in which we would like to plant a few trees to give interest both to us and the local wildlife. We currently have 2 copper beech saplings which we were given, but have room for at least 3 or 4 more spaced around the area. Its a low lying field, so rather wet and boggy at the moment with all the recent rain, but is south facing and gets full sun almost all day throughout the summer. Its is hedged on 3 sides, but the predominent species is sycamore, so we'd like to redress the balance with some natives if possible.

I have always hankered after a weeping willow, which would obviously like the wet, but have they any wildlife value? Are they even a native?

We thought also a rowan for some winter berries.

Any other suggestions would be welcome. Must also be something non toxic to our animals, so oak is a no-no!

[eeyore]

goats in particular will masacre newly planted trees -so whatever you choose you will neeed to robustly cage it with fence posts and chicken wire , a standard tree guard will not be sufficient

all trees have some wildlife value , and willows are native (tho I am not too sure that weeping willow is specifically) - limes might be an option , birch , alder - the best bet is to have a look at some woodland near you and see what there is there , or ask the cornish wildlife trust for advice

[Kymba]

It depends what you want to attract. here are a few suggestions

If you want to increase the chance of seeing bats, plant a willow tree. The caterpillars of more than 90 species of moth feed on willow trees alone, making these trees perfect bat attractors
Or what about.. wild cherry, crab apple, field maple, silver birch

Willows and sallows support more plant-eating insects than any other native tree or shrub.
Hawthorn and blackthorn provide dense, protective cover for garden birds to nest.

[aeshna5]

Alders will do well in the wet areas- as these mature the cones are attractive to finches such as Goldfinch, Siskin + Redpoll. The fruits may also be used by Birch + Parent Shieldbugs.

Weeping Willows aren't native, but will no doubt support many of those species that feed on willow leaves. An attractive alternative is to use a variety of the native White Willow "Britzensis" which has stunning orange-red bark which gives a warm glow to a winter's day!

Fruit trees, Birches, Rowans are all fairly small trees which will have a good wildlife value.

[nightshade]

The above are all excellent suggestions for more advicetry
The Woodland Trust

[werdnal]

Thanks for replies. I will have a look at the links suggested.

Originally Posted by eeyore

goats in particular will masacre newly planted trees -so whatever you choose you will neeed to robustly cage it with fence posts and chicken wire , a standard tree guard will not be sufficient

Thanks eeyore - The copper beeches we already have planted are surrounded by fencing, rather like the deer guards you see in parkland, so we will do the same with any new specimens.

[SimonChew]

I agree you would do best to stay native There are lots of plants that can be used to encourage wildlife into a garden. A natural mixed hedge is good. Oak is reported to encourage more wildlife than any other tree though it is a very large tree. If you would like to encourage birds Hawthorn or Native Crabapple work well and do not grow too big.

Simon

[nightshade]

Hello Simon and welcome to Wild About..This a good webite
I hope that you will be posting more tree info and not just
this one to advertise that would be a waste of your obvious expertise

[SimonChew]

Hello all. Yes I do plan to become a valid member of this forum as I have taken a more office based job now and i have more time on a pc. I am sorry for the link on the end of my last post, I should have read the rules first. But I did try and answer the question to the best of my ability. I look forward to more chats and will try to give only impartial advice. All the best. Simon

[badgerwatcher]

My weeping willow is covered in bees this week.