Plant a tree, build an ecosystem

March 2011: Native woodland is one of the richest habitats for wildlife in the UK. The Woodland Trust is calling for landowners to plant native trees to increase the number of places wildlife can thrive as part of its ‘More Trees, More Good' campaign.

PERCH: Waxwing surveys its woodland haven Picture: The Woodland Trust

Trees will grow on most land and creating wildlife corridors helps ensure species strength and wildlife survival. This will establish a legacy for future generations to enjoy and for children to learn and interact with. With growing urbanisation, intensification of land use and changes in climate, planting trees is more urgent than ever.

New woodland rapidly attracts wildlife; butterflies, insects and open-habitat birds being the first to appear. Before long small mammals will visit and as it develops woodland birds move in. The next settlers will be bats and hedgehogs and very soon a woodland ecosystem will be thriving. You might even find endangered species such as dormice and waxwings prospering from the food and protection trees provide.

‘I wanted to leave a legacy for my children'
Doctors Ian and Annabel London planted nine acres of native woodland at their home in Cheshire's picturesque Wych Valley as a wildlife haven. Annabel explained: ‘For us, this is a wonderful opportunity to create a more wildlife-friendly landscape. I grew up in this area and love the nature and wildlife that is all around us. We wanted to boost that by planting more trees and to leave a legacy for our children.'

Woodland can be created on almost any land but the most benefits come from extending and connecting existing woods and hedges, or creating new habitat and shelter on open land. Planting alongside streams and tracks, widening existing hedges and filling in hard-to-work field corners also offer easy opportunities to give extra space to wildlife.

CREATING A BUZZ: Insects will quickly make their home among newly planted trees Picture: The Woodland Trust

It is ideal to have woodland that offers both a year round food supply and shelter through a mixture of trees and shrubs. Flowering shrubs at woodland edges provide a nectar source for vulnerable bees, which are vital to the world's ecosystem, as well as providing nest space for birds and shelter for hedgehogs.

Native tree cover in UK now just 4 per cent
With UK native tree cover at a low of four per cent it is vital new woodland is created to protect and sustain our wildlife. Trees not only enhance the landscape and welcome wildlife they also aid productivity and guard against the elements. A well designed shelterbelt can protect livestock from the elements and even help homeowners reduce their heating bills.

The trust is offering free, impartial advice to anyone interested in planting trees and creating woods. For more information please contact the Woodland Trust's dedicated woodland creation team on 0845 293 5689 email morewoods@woodlandtrust.org.uk or visit www.moretreesmoregood.org.uk/wildlife