Advice needed for planting a woodland in Somerset

[emilytree]

For my Dad's 60th B'day he is planting a smallish woodland (1-2 acres)in Sommerset. He has been advised/ had a plan drawn up by somebody who is proposing to plant mainly Sycamores, I am rather sceptical of this being the right choice, as i believe these to be the trees which ooze lots of sap and have been advised that Sycamores are like weeds which self plant and can be a pain, also that they create a very dark floor to the woodland.

I know my Dad is keen on Beech trees, though i know nothing of their pros and cons. I do know he would ideally like to have some bluebells established. I know he will plant just a few oaks (for the future which will be slower growing)

I particularly love trees which have low branching, possibly known as 'forked trees' and would love to include a few of these, does anyone know how this is possible?

Most of the trees are being transplanted, but obviously things to be considered are; how easy a tree is to establish and speed of growth. We hope that the woodland can be enjoyed for many years by my Dad and is something that will mature and flourish for the future.

I would be very grateful for advice on which trees to select.

[The Woodman]

An opportunity to create a new woodland - how exciting.

As you've had some advice already emilytree, I wouldn't want to contradict anything you've been told btu there's a couple of things I might suggest.

You don't say what sort of ground is to be planted i.e. rough pasture, wetland or rocky ground. Different substrates can determine the optimum tree species for the available land. Beech prefers a limestone or chalk substrate and is fairly shallow rooted. It is a good species to underplant as it bears shade well and will grow quickly under a planned shorter life species - even conifers.

I agree with your reservations about sycamore. Personally I would go for a nice broadleaf mixture including Field Maple (which will give you some lower branching and a squatter profile), Oak, Beech, Hornbeam, Lime with a Hazel and Holly understorey.

A couple of conifers wouldn't go amiss in the right place. A Scots or Corsican Pine will withstand the weather as individual trees and provide a contribution to the variety of available food to beast and bird. The deciduous European Larch can give some interesting branch forms.

Whilst I am on my feet don't forget a couple of crab apple trees.

I've lifted this useful link from a newsletter I got today. You might get some more free advice from the link.


MOREwoods is a simple scheme to help you create beautiful new native woodland – with advice and help from the Woodland Trust. In just 12 years you could be walking under the canopy of your own flourishing young forest of native trees; oak, ash, hazel, rowan. Native woods are a haven for wildlife and beneficial for our health and well being. In addition, they can also provide excellent game cover, produce valuable products such as timber and woodfuel, help with pollution control, reduce soil erosion and can make an important contribution to addressing the challenges of land management in the face of climate change.

MOREwoods is available to landowners throughout the UK with a minimum of one hectare (2.5 acres) but that could comprise a number of smaller areas. Contact alistairnash@woodlandtrust.org.uk for further information.

Good luck with the project and I hope your Dad enjoys his rather special birthday present.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by The Woodman

I agree with your reservations about sycamore. Personally I would go for a nice broadleaf mixture including Field Maple (which will give you some lower branching and a squatter profile), Oak, Beech, Hornbeam, Lime with a Hazel and Holly understorey.

.

I'd agree too - I suspect that the person who reccomended sycamores is thinking that they are fast growing and somewhat disease resistant - however sycamores are not a good choice for a majority tree in a new woodland as because they are fast growning and dense canopied they will shade out the other trees (and also the understory and herbaceous flora) - it is this factor that makes them a tree weed in managed woodlands (particularly coppice).

I'd concur in the woodmans choices except that i might also add ash to the list , and possibly sweet chestnut depending on the soil type. I'd also mention that honbeams are very prone to grey squirel damage - to the point where they are often planted as a sacrificial crop in comercial broadleaf forestry to keep the squirels away from other trees

Id also suggest that your dad joins the small woods association as they, and indeed their magazine "smallwoods" are a fount of knowledge on these types of issues. Perhaps someone could give him a subscription as a birthday present. I'd also reccomend living woods magazine as another useful source of help and advice.

also with regard to the bluebells it is important that he get native bluebells not the spanish or hybrid varieties, see flora locale for advice on that.

Finally i'd mention that i'm only just down the road in wiltshire so if you dad would like to talk through these issues in greater detail i'd be happy to discuss them with him, or meet up/ visit the site if he wished. (Pm me for a phone number and /or to arrange)