Search our site
-
Trees woods and wildlife
Elm, English
Once growing to lofty heights, the elegant English elm used to dominate the landscape. Now this ancient symbol of melancholy and death is a rare sight, having been decimated by Dutch elm disease.
-
Trees woods and wildlife
Yew, Irish
A mutant favourite with wildlife, the Irish yew is thought to have developed from the common yew. All Irish yews descended from cuttings of one tree found in County Fermanagh in the 1700s. Nowadays, it provides food and shelter for native animals.
-
Trees woods and wildlife
European larch
A spring-time show-off, European larch is a conifer full of surprises. Introduced over 400 years ago, it’s a favourite with squirrels, birds and moths alike.
-
Trees woods and wildlife
Willow, osier
Strong, neat and bendy, osier willow is the best of the best for basket weaving. It’s not only a source of food and shelter for native wildlife, it can even decontaminate soils it is planted on!
-
Trees woods and wildlife
Plum
A butterfly’s paradise with lovely blossom and even lovelier fruit. The plum is a petite tree which is perfect for pollinators and a perfect addition to any orchard.
-
Trees woods and wildlife
Wayfaring tree
A welcome sign you’re homeward bound, the wayfaring tree is so named because it grows close to paths. Look for them in hedges and woodland edges, with full bloom in the spring and heavy with berries in the autumn.
-
Trees woods and wildlife
Fox
A born survivor with a bushy tail. Ever adaptable, the fox is equally at home in our woods or city streets. It sits top of the woodland food chain with a diet that takes in everything from birds and beetles to rabbits and rats.
-
Trees woods and wildlife
Roe deer
Nimble and fleet of foot. The roe is our most widely distributed deer, found in woods across the country. Look out for its white rump flashing as it acrobatically bounds through the trees.
-
Trees woods and wildlife
Lesser spotted woodpecker
Secretive tree-top dweller. The lesser spotted is our smallest, and rarest, woodpecker. These woodland specialists are one of the UK’s fastest-declining bird species.
-
Trees woods and wildlife
Spotted flycatcher
Adept at snatching flying insects mid-air, the spotted flycatcher visits the UK during the warmer months, and is often seen on the wing in woodland edges and clearings.