What type of trees are we planting?
We identified twelve species of trees that were the most effective at removing
pollutants from the air and intend to plant a mixture of these species. See
below for a more detailed introduction to each species of tree.
Field Maple
This is a small deciduous tree, losing its leaves in
autumn. They can grow up to 25 metres tall but
on average grow to about 8-14 metres. They
have dark green, shiny leaves that turn a rich,
golden yellow in the autumn. It is a hardy tree
that can grow in most conditions but dislikes
really acidic soils.
FUN FACT: The wood is regularly used for
making violins
Norway Maple
This is a large deciduous tree, losing its leaves in
autumn. They can grow up to 30 metres tall but on
average grow to about 12-25 metres. They have dark
green, pointy leaves that turn yellow and sometimes red
in autumn. It is a hardy tree that can grow in a wide
range of conditions.
FUN FACT: Its flowers are a useful source of food for
early-flying bees.
Common Alder
This is a medium deciduous tree, losing its leaves in
autumn. They can grow up to 25 metres tall but on
average grow to about 15-20 metres. They have dark
green, racquet-shaped, leathery leaves. It is a
common UK tree that can grow in a variety of
conditions but loves a watery soil.
FUN FACT: Alder wood used to be used for water
pipes because it is so resistant to water-decay.
Silver Birch
This is a large deciduous tree, losing its leaves in autumn.
They can grow up to 30 metres tall but on average grow to
about 18-25 metres. They have pale green, triangular leaves
and a distinctive white peeling bark. Its leaves turn a goldenyellow in autumn. It is a common tree that can grow in most
conditions but prefers sandy or acidic soils.
FUN FACT: In folklore, silver birch was believed to symbolise
love and fertility.
Scots Pine
This is a large evergreen tree, so keeps its leaves all year
round. They can grow up to over 30 metres tall but on
average grow to about 12-36 metres. They have dark green
needle-like leaves that grow longer with age. They produce
small pine cones that grow all summer long and fall to the
ground in late autumn/winter. It is a hardy tree that can grow
in soils low on nutrients but dislikes a very chalky soil.
FUN FACT: Pines used to be planted along paths used to
drive livestock so that farmers could navigate in poor
weather.
Small Leaved Lime
This is a medium deciduous tree, losing its leaves in
autumn. They can grow up to 25 metres tall but on
average grow to about 12-24 metres. They have heartshaped, medium green leaves that turn yellow in autumn.
It is a relatively uncommon tree in the UK as it doesn’t
grow well from natural seed spreading. It does however
grow well on chalky soils and in towns. It is known as one
of the UK’s most attractive trees.
FUN FACT: The blossom can be used to make tea which
was used as a mild sedative during the war.
Hawthorn
This is a small deciduous tree, losing all its leaves in autumn.
They grow to an average height of 12-15m. They have
leaves with 5-7 toothed lobes that turn yellow in autumn. It is
a common tree that is found throughout hedges and
woodland in the UK. It grows well on almost any type of soil
but prefers full sunlight to shaded areas.
FUN FACT: The fruits called ‘haws’ are little red berries that
provide winter fruit for many birds including thrushes,
fieldfares and redwings.
Hazel
This is a small deciduous tree, losing all its
leaves in autumn. They grow to an average
height of 12-15m. They have leaves that are
almost round but for a narrow point at the tip
that turn bright yellow in autumn. It is a very
common tree that is usually found growing
under the canopy of other woodland trees. It
grows well on all soils except waterlogged or
rather poor soils.
FUN FACT: In Ireland hazel was known as the
‘Tree of Knowledge’ and in Medieval times it
was a symbol of fertility.
Mountain Ash
This is a small deciduous tree, losing all its
leaves in autumn. They grow to an average
height of 10-15m. They have leaves that grow
with 6-12 leaflet pairs to each ‘leaf’ that turn
pale yellow in autumn. It is more commonly
found in high altitudes due to its robust nature
but is widely planted in gardens as it tolerates a
wide range of soils.
FUN FACT: Mountain Ash used to be planted
in gardens and near houses to ward away
misfortune.
Wild Cherry
This is a large deciduous tree, losing
all its leaves in autumn. They grow to
an average height of 18-25m. They
have elliptical leaves, with a sawedged margin that turn a mixture of
crimson and yellow in autumn. It is
found UK-wide and has been planted
abundantly in urban areas. It grows
well in most conditions but prefers
rich/heavy soils.
FUN FACT: Its sticky resin used to be
used by forestry workers as a stickysweet chewing gum
Holly
This is a small evergreen tree, keeping its leaves all
year round. They grow to an average height of 815m. They have dark green, glossy leaves that are
spiky when young but become smoother with age.
Only the female tree bears clusters of red berries in
autumn. It is a common tree that grows on most soils
and can even tolerate deep shade.
FUN FACT: The holly berries are poisonous to
humans, but not to birds who love them!
Crab Apple
This is a small deciduous tree, losing all its
leaves in autumn. They grow to an average
height of 7-9m. They have glossy leaves
that are often folded or crumpled. They
grow small apples that are very bitter. They
are often found as single trees in woodland
areas on heavier soils but can tolerate most
soils.
FUN FACT: Although bitter to taste, the
apples make a fantastic crab apple jelly or
wine
Apple
This is a small deciduous tree, losing all its
leaves in autumn. They grow to an average
height of 7-9m. They have medium-green,
oval to elliptical leaves with a tapered point.
Apple trees tend to be cultivated and grown
for their fruit but can be found in the wild. It
can tolerate a range of soils but prefers a
deep loam to sandy soils. The apples can be
harvested for you to eat, usually over late
autumn.
FUN FACT: Birds, wasps and all sorts of bugs
love the delicious apples, so you have to be
quick and pick them before the birds get them.