The New Good Life: How to plant woodland
Trees are very special to me. When my husband and I got married, instead of wedding gifts we asked everyone to buy us young, bare-rooted trees (called whips), so we could create a leafy avenue from the barns to the wild pond. That was nearly 20 years ago, and every evening we walk the dog through this now mature woodland.
In spring, the wild cherries are heavy with blossom; in summer, we have campfires under the chestnut canopy. In autumn, it’s a runway of golden colour and now, bare-leaved in winter, it takes on a more sculptural feel. It’s a haven for wildlife but it’s also a symbol of something greater.
When we bought the derelict farm and got wed, we were both taking a huge gamble; the woodland for us represents that leap of faith and, like our relationship, has grown and matured into something wonderful.
People often say that you plant trees for the next generation. And while that’s true for some slow-grow species such as oak, we’ve found that many of the trees around the farm are already impressively high.
A copse of ornamental cherries and silver birch we planted near the farmhouse, which our 19-year-old daughter helped us plant as a toddler, is now taller than the building.
Equally, an area of orchard woodland around the pond has only taken ten years to grow to full height.
Best trees for each season
Spring
Crab Apple has perfumed blossom, perfect for bees, followed by vibrant leaves and bitter fruit, which support a range of wildlife.
Summer
Rowan trees burst with late blossom, loved by many pollinating insects. Over the summer, blooms give way to bunches of ruby-red berries.
Autumn
Silver Birch's mid-green leaves turn a glowing, golden yellow. Then, during winter, scrolls of silvery peeling bark add texture and interest.
Winter
Holly's evergreen leaves and scarlet berries shelter a wide range of animals that hide in its leaf litter and chomp on its berries.
The romance of woodland aside, there is a compelling ecological argument for planting trees, especially native broadleaf species. Trees are fabulous hosts for a whole range of wildlife and help prevent soil erosion. They absorb carbon dioxide, pump out oxygen and have been shown to improve wellbeing. There’s even strong evidence to suggest that trees emit chemicals called phytoncides into the air, which strengthen our immune, hormonal and nervous systems. So, whether you have the space for one tree or 20, I urge you to get planting.
Winter is the perfect time – the soil is still warm and moist but the whips are dormant so won’t be stressed by the process. Their roots will have time to settle in before the growing season starts again. Look for species that are most suited to our climate and wildlife. There are lots of native trees to choose from – the Woodland Trust (woodlandtrust.org.uk) has an excellent guide; always buy trees sourced in the UK, to prevent imported diseases and pests.
Rules for planting trees
There are basic rules to follow: buy younger trees rather than mature specimens – they’re cheaper and more likely to survive; think about the full height and spread; don’t plant a tree under existing woodland as it won’t be able to compete; think about access and maintenance of any branches; and consider proximity to buildings or walls. Most trees hate waterlogged ground but some, like willow or alder, will cope with wetter soil. Space your trees around two metres from the next – you’ll be amazed by how quickly they grow.
For the first three years you’ll also need to keep an area around the trunk – about one metre across – clear of weeds and grass. I’ve found deep mulching works best here – I use sheep fleeces from my flock but you can use coir or jute mulch mats, woodchip or bark, or loose woodland mulch.
I pour a bucket of water at the base of any newly planted whip; it shouldn’t need rewatering until the warmer weather arrives. The Woodland Trust recommends you give the trees 50 litres of water per week during the summer months for the first three years, but if we have a very wet spring and summer like this past year, you might not need to. I also use biodegradable tree guards, otherwise rabbits and deer will nibble off the bark and kill the tree.
Our farm is now a glorious patchwork of alder, apple, beech, silver birch, crab apple, hawthorn, rowan, wild cherry, willow and chestnut. Some trees have had to be thinned, others removed, to make space as the woodland grows. It’s always a work in progress – a bit like a marriage, really.
Author and seasoned smallholder Sally Coulthard shares her Yorkshire plot with sheep, horses, hens, ducks, geese, an orchard, a vegetable garden and a pond and regularly contributes to our The New Good Life series.
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