NATIVE TREES, SHRUBS ANDHEDGEROW PLANTING GUIDE

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INTRODUCTION

Tree and shrub planting is of greatest benefit to wildlife if it is done in groups or belts ratherthan individually scattered over a wide area. Many species of birds require the habitatcreated by planting groups of trees and shrubs together as they are not able to take fulladvantage of individual specimens.

PLANTING NATIVE TREES AND SHRUBS

The best species to plant are the ones which occur naturally in the locality and thereforesuited to the local conditions. This particularly applies to planting in rural areas.It has long been recognised that native trees and shrubs are the most valuable because

they support a much greater variety of animals and plants than introduced species;they thrive in particularly harsh local conditions andthey are more likely to survive and flourish than most introduced species

SITES FOR TREE AND SHRUB PLANTING

Before planting trees consideration must be given to whether they will be assets or liabilitieswhen mature. A wide variety of situations can be suitable for tree planting for example

Awkward arable field cornersWide roadside verges (subject to approval from the Highway Authority)Screen planting around farm buildingsSupplementing small copses, woodlandReinforcing existing hedgerows (particularly where those that have been infected withdutch elm disease)ShelterbeltsSteep slopes and banksRiver and stream valleysAreas of poor soilSchool groundsParks and Public Open Space

PLANTING

Trees and shrubs may be planted at any time during the dormant season (November toMarch), except during frosty weather. Generally all trees should be bare rooted or rootballed,and should be transplants, feathered whips, or standard trees depending on the initialeffect required of the planting. The use of containerised plants is only advocated whereplanting out of season is unavoidable.

NATIVE HEDGEROW PLANTING

Native hedgerows are an important element of the Sedgemoor landscape. In recent yearsmany hedgerows in the district have been lost due to changes in agricultural practice andDutch elm disease.

A good stockproof hedge provides a better boundary than a fence and will have a positivebenefit as a habitat for wildlife. The simplest form of hedge is a line of bushy plants plantedon a bank, often made from the soil when the adjacent ditch was dug.

PLANTING AND ESTABLISHMENT

Hedging plants should be small bushy transplants (450mm or 18”), using native species that are indigenous to the local area.In order to reduce competition from weed and grass growth it is advisable to sprayor rotovate the hedgeline prior to planting.Plant five shrubs of the same species in a staggered row per linear metreMulch the base of the hedge after planting to keep the moisture in the soil and reduce weed competition.When the new hedge is establishing itself protect it from stock with fencing.

NATIVE HEDGEROW PLANTING PATTERN - DOUBLE STAGGERED ROW

Plants should be 450mm (18”) transplants, planted in a double-staggered row 300mm(12”) apart in groups of five of the same species.

Planting should be undertaken from November to March in weed-free soil, and mulchedafter planting to keep down competition.

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HawthornCrataegus monogyna

Field MapleAcer campestre

HazelCorylus avellana

BlackthornPrunus spinosa

SpindleEuonymus europaeus

DogwoodCornus sanguinea

Wayfaring TreeViburnum lantana

Guelder RoseViburnum opulus

PrivetLigustrum vulgare

300mm(12”)

300mm (12”)

SPECIES FOR NATIVE HEDGEROWS

TREES

AlderAlnus glutinosa

AshFraxinus excelsior

AspenPopulus tremula

BeechFagus sylvatica

Bird CherryPrunus padus

Black PoplarPopulus nigra

Common LimeTilia x europaea

Common OakQuercus robur

Crab-appleMalus sylvestris

Crack WillowSalix fragilis

Downy BirchBetula pubescens

English ElmUlmus procera

Field MapleAcer campestre

Grey PoplarPopulus x canescens

Horse ChestnutAesculus hippocastanum

TREES

Holm OakQuercus ilex

HornbeamCarpinus betulus

Large-leaved LimeTilia platyphyllos

Mountain AshSorbus aucuparia

Scots PinePinus sylvestris

Sessile OakQuercus petraea

Silver BirchBetula pendula

Small-leaved LimeTilia cordata

Swedish WhitebeamSorbus intermedia

Sweet ChestnutCastanea sativa

SycamoreAcer pseudoplatanus

True Service TreeSorbus domestica

WalnutJuglans regia

WhitebeamSorbus aria

White PoplarPopulus alba

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NATIVE TREES AND SHRUBS

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TREES

White WillowSalix alba

Wild CherryPrunus avium

Wild Service TreeSorbus torminalis

Wych ElmUlmus glabra

YewTaxus baccata

SHRUBS

Alder BuckthornFrangula alnus

BlackthornPrunus spinosa

BroomCytisus scoparius

Butchers BroomRuscus aculeatus

DogwoodCornus sanguinea

ElderSambucus nigra

Goat WillowSalix caprea

Guelder RoseViburnum opulus

SHRUBS

HawthornCrataegus monogyna

HazelCorylus avellana

HollyIlex aquifolium

OsierSalix viminalis

PrivetLigustrum vulgare

Purging BuckthornRhamnus catharticus

SpindleEuonymus europaeus

Wayfaring TreeViburnum lantana

NATIVE TREES AND SHRUBS

MAINTENANCE

Trees and shrubs require maintenance, usually as long as five years after planting.Weeding is necessary in the first few years in order to prevent young trees and shrubsbeing smothered and to reduce competition for water and nutrients. It is importantthat all planted areas are kept weed free until they become established.

To ensure weed growth is adequately controlledthe bases of trees and shrubs in grass areas should always be kept clear for at leasthalf a metre from around the plant,

mulching cuts down the cost of weed control and

a suitable granular herbicide might be applied to all areas after planting.

GRANTS

Sedgemoor District Council offer small grants – up to £500 for planting native treesand shrubs. For further information, please contact Carol Ensor, tel: 01278 435234

The Somerset Landscape Scheme is aimed at conserving and restoring the best featuresof the Somerset Landscape and the creation of new traditional features which will beattractive or have wildlife value. The scheme includes planting of native trees, shrubsand hedgerows and is administered by the Countryside Services Group, Environmentand Property Department, County Hall, Taunton. Tel: 01823 355617.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Somerset County Council publications;

Grants for planting Native Species

Tree Nurseries and Contractors

Restoring Somerset Hedgerows

Hedgerow Tree Grants

SEDGEMOOR DISTRICT COUNCILBridgwater House, King Square, Bridgwater TA6 3AR

Tel: 01278 435435www.sedgemoor.gov.uk

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