PLANT NATIVE TREES AND SHRUBS

Planting native trees and shrubs is essential to supporting and enhancing biodiversity. Flowering trees are a particularly important food source for pollinators in early sprint time, when little else is in flower.

Shrubs and trees with berries also provide food for birds and mammals throughout Autumn.

Native trees arrived in the UK over 10,000 years ago, in that time other plants and animals have evolved along side the native trees and formed close relationships with these species, becoming reliant on them for food, breeding sites and shelter. In contrast non-native trees do not provide the same resources out native wildlife requires, therefore lower in biodiversity.

Some native species to consider planting; Blackthorn, Birch, bird Cherry, Crab apple, Dogwood, Elder, hawthorn, hazel, field maple and English Oak.

Non-native are also important to include within planting areas, providing they are non-invasive. These plants will provide a longer flowering season giving pollinators a little helping hand at the beginning and end of season.

They also tend to produce a more colourful display than many native perennials.