Choosing 4,000 trees to Plant - part 2
Choosing over 4,000 trees has been an exciting task and responsibility. In part 1 I went through the trees that are already found in Bel’s Wood. In this blog (part 2) I shall go through the species I have chosen to add to the site. I have chosen natives including some called naturalised natives ie they have been living in Cumbria for so long they can count as natives eg horse chestnut trees were introduced to Great Britain by the Romans!
Natives
Aspen
This is a tree native to the UK and Cumbria but these days is associated with north America more than the UK. I learned about the value of aspen when I visited Carrifran in Moffat, a rewilding project started over 20 years ago. Their aspen are fine looking trees and give great autumn colour. They grow to 20m over time. The leaves flutter in the slightest breeze and they deserve support to become reestablished.
Since choosing to plant these I have come across the BOOM project at the University of Cumbria (short for Back On Our Map https://www.cumbria.ac.uk/business/projects/south-cumbria-species-restoration/species/aspen/ ) They have chosen 11 species to support in Cumbria and Aspen is one of them. Their project has identified that there is a significant imbalance between male and female plants in Cumbria with a significant shortage of females. They rely on reproducing by suckers coming up from the parent tree, up to 40m away. As stands of trees are so far apart the chances of reproducing with a male and a female reduces which leads to trees becoming a single plant genetically and therefore vulnerable. I have contacted the University and they are happy to provide me with some Cumbrian stock of aspen which will grow alongside those that I will buy in. This will optimise the chance of bringing more female trees in and so address the imbalance and for these to breed with local male aspen’s.
I shall plant 2 stands - one by the road so passers by get to see the autumn colours. The second and larger stand will be on the slope at the top in front of the Scot Pines which I think will look lovely in the autumn.
Black poplar
The Woodland Trust introduces the black poplar as ‘Imposing, elegant, rare.’ Which may have been, on its own, compelling enough to include this tree. It was a common tree in the past but due to land drainage in both towns and countryside it is less so now. Both male and female species are needed and according to the Cumbria Wildlife Trust ‘A recent survey estimated there are only 7000 black poplars in England, Wales and Ireland, of which 600 are female.’ But I chose this tree as I lived with one outside my upstairs apartment for 19 years in the London Borough of Greenwich where I learned to love the way the sun came through the leaves which fluttered creating a mesmerising effect as if you were sitting in a forest. It also had a lovely gnarled bark with holes in the trunk which was the site of the annual battle between the pigeons and squirrels as to who would raise their family there. On identifying the tree as a black poplar I discovered that it was so rare that genetic tests were being undertaken to track the range of trees left in the UK. So increasing the stock in Cumbria feels like a good thing to do. I have been advised to plant them away from the road as they have a tendency to fall over. Something I am pleased I did not know when I lived up close and personal with one! The good news is they live up to 200 years - another bonus.
Crab apple
The final ‘must have’ tree for wildlife according to Trees Direct and their list of 9 trees to plant for wildlife is the crab apple and the only one on their list not already on site. They state that ‘The blossoming flowers provide an excellent source of food and nectar for insects, particularly bees. Birds such as the song thrush, blackbirds and redwings love the fruit. But expect to have a few furry visitors such as mice, badgers, dormice and voles, who are also known to enjoy them.’ They grow 7-10m and will look well sitting on the slope growing slowly and not taking the views from the higher open area.
Guilder rose
This is a small shrub like tree that spreads sideways. With flowers and amazing red berries which the RSPB says ‘are popular with bullfinches and mistle thrushes.’ This is low growing and will be planted between larger trees and butterfly rides to give a gradient of heights from grass to full height trees.
Hornbeam
This tree is a complete contrast - growing to 30m tall and living for 300 years; it is grand and beautiful. The Cumbria Wildlife Trust says that ‘During the winter, the seeds of Common hornbeam are a favourite food of the elusive Hawfinch - the UK's largest finch, which is declining at an alarming rate.’ Which is a good reason to plant some. Hawfinch are spotted in the South Lakes but I haven’t seen any at Bel’s Wood. Most the leaves stay on the tree overwinter giving protection beneath the canopy. I have not seen any hornbeam in Cumbria yet and they are more common in the south of England but they are natives here so planting these will help in a small way to widen their distribution.
Maple
Another stunning and long living tree (20m; 350 years), I have always been surprised not to have found maples on site. I have looked. There are many in the South Lakes although not adjacent so planting new stock seems a good plan. They give fantastic autumn colour and according to the Woodland Trust ‘Field maple is attractive to aphids and their predators, including many species of ladybird, hoverfly and bird. Lots of species of moth, such as the mocha, feed on its leaves. The flowers provide nectar and pollen sources for bees and birds, and small mammals eat the fruits.'
Spindle
I have chosen spindle having become of aware of the plant in last year when out on walks in the South Lakes. The bright pink fruits are a real surprise and delight in autumn. The Woodland Trust says ‘The leaves are eaten by caterpillars of moths, including the magpie, spindle ermine and scorched, as well as the holly blue butterfly. The leaves also attract aphids and their predators, including hoverflies, ladybirds and lacewings, as well as the house sparrow and other species of bird. The flowers are a rich source of nectar and pollen for insects such as the St Mark’s fly.’ It can grow to 9m and lasts 100 years but often is a smaller tree in the hedging and I hope it will find Bel’s Wood a good home.
Small leaved lime tree
This is an uncommon tree in the UK now and so deserves space in Bel’s Wood . The Cumbria Wildlife Trust says ‘Its sweet-smelling summer flowers attract a huge number of insects looking for nectar, while its leaves are popular with caterpillars of the Lime hawk moth, among other species. It produces large-winged, nut-like fruits that disperse its seeds by the wind.’ I particularly like the light colour leaves in the spring which are lime coloured and then when the flowers arrive that fresh look continues into summer. I may even have a go at making tea from the flowers one day which is said to act as a mild sedative and could perhaps be useful when sleeping out in the wood during the noisy spring mornings!
Wych Elm
I have introduced these trees alphabetically here and by doing so have kept the best to last. This is the elm that was decimated by Dutch Elm disease which killed so very many mature trees across the UK. The Woodland Trust says ‘It usually grows in hilly or rocky woodlands, or beside streams and ditches. It is hardier than the English elm, so is found much further north and west, and in parts of Scotland.’ So sounds eminently suitable for Bel’s Wood. Disease free trees have been seen thriving in Cumbria so planting them here, to become mature trees rather than hedges, is an exciting prospect. I remember Dutch Elm disease arriving in England. Living in Surrey, the skyline of mature elm crowns being fractured as the disease took hold, was tragic to watch as a child. The idea of establishing these elms in Bel’s Wood feels so positive. I hope I live to see them at 20 years where their trunks take on their distinctive grey /brown and fissured texture even if I won’t live to see their glorious crowns. I have not been able to photograph a mature tree so aim to fill the space below with home grown ones in time.
Naturalised to the UK
Horse chestnut
Introduced in 1616 this spectacular trees deserves some space in the wood. It can grow to 40m and live 300 years and of course produces conkers following on from its huge candles in Spring. It is on the IUCN international red list so growing some here feels right. Useful to wildlife, beautiful and long lived. I hope these will thrive as I have not seen any nearby. I used to walk through Greenwich Park to work and loved both the horse and sweet chestnuts which had been planted in the park in Henry VIII's day.
Sweet chestnut
Another stunning tree I will plant is the sweet chestnut. This was introduced by the Romans and now considered to be a naturalised tree and can live for 700 years. What a thought that someone could admire one or two of these trees in the 27th century! They are more common in the south of England but can thrive in Cumbria I believe so it seems worth a go.
Scots Pine
This is the only truly native conifer and also can grow for 700 years so can keep the sweet chestnut company. These could tip the balance in favour of red squirrels in there is a concerted effort to manage grey squirrels in the south lakes at any time. Red squirrels have been seen in Cartmel and Crook which are within 10 miles. There would need to be link corridors to other woodlands and maybe that can happen in time. They are beautiful trees and grow fast. I once had one in a plant pot in a small garden which slowly grew over 5 years. When I no longer had a garden I passed it onto a family member who liberated into a garden and it shot up in no time at all! A mistake and it had to be felled. Planting two large stands here will be far more suitable than a suburban terraced house garden in Blackpool. Reminds me of the Forestry Commissions 'Right Tree, Right Place' guidance https://forestry.gov.scot/publications/96-the-right-tree-in-the-right-place-planning-for-forestry-and-woodlands/viewdocument/96
A South Lake Woodlander's Scots Pine planted about 9 years ago.
Patience needed in this game!
Wild Plum
This is a delightful tree with blossom and fruit which supports wildlife. It is a small tree which can act as edging between the open areas and the larger trees and I am looking forward to seeing these bloom and grow. It counts as a naturalised native.
Wild pear
Another lovely blossom and fruiting tree, this one introduced in AD 995 so ok to treat as native!
Damson
Damson trees are traditional in the Lyth Valley and Westmorland. There is a Westmorland Damson Association which is promoting the growth of this traditional tree in and around the Lyth Valley where Bel’s Wood is located http://www.lythdamsons.org.uk/index.html so it is right to plant damsons. The conditions need to be not too wet (they don’t like standing in water) and not too shady. I think that there are some good hedging areas where I can plant suckers from stock from the Lyth Valley to ensure they are native plants. Interestingly they were introduced either by the Romans or later by the Vikings and therefore are not true natives. They have lovely blossom in spring and would be lovely to collect once they fruit,
I have used information for the blog from the Woodland Trust
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk
And the Cumbria Wildlife Trust
https://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk
I am a member of each and find them both to have really useful resource.
I have also quoted Trees Direct and their 9 Must Have British Trees for Attracting Wildlife and the link to their site is here
https://www.treesdirect.co.uk/the-vine/9-must-have-british-trees-for-attracting-wildlife/
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