If you want to see the embedded content you need to accept Targeting Cookies. To do this, click on the cookie icon in the bottom left of the screen, then toggle Targeting Cookies and Confirm My Choices.

A woodland with multiple trees of Alder species: the trunks are tall and thin, and the bark is fissured. The lime green light lets the sunlight dapple through.

Species in the running

There are brightly coloured trees in the woods in front on you, which represent the potential new species which we may plant here. The following are two of those potential plant species.

1) Large leaved lime, Tilia platyphyllos

The pros to planting this species are:

•    It’s native to the southwest UK
•    It’s great for wildlife; it has soft timber which is good for nesting birds, and aphids like to feed on its sap, kick starting the food chain by bringing in their predators.
•    It mixes well in a range of woodlands on different soils and it’s moderately drought tolerant.

The cons:

•    It can be susceptible to fungal and bacterial infections, although a lot of tree species are.

2) Alder, Alnus glutinosa

The pros:

•    It’s a pioneer species; able to grow and develop an ecosystem which allows other species to grow.
•    It’s quick growing, providing a canopy which is great for woodland flora and fauna
•    It adds more nitrogen to the soil, making growing conditions better for itself and other vegetation.

The cons:

•    Its saplings are susceptible to spring droughts, which could be more common in our future climate.
•    It’s susceptible to Phytophthora alni, a deadly disease which could become more prevalent as the climate changes.