| species | type | prefered site | unsuitable sites | conservation value | insects supported | comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beech Fagus sylvatica |
F | Tolerates a wide range of soils. On shallow and poorly drained soils it is unstable. Best on well drained soils. |
Doesn’t like poorly drained sites. Doesn’t do well on peat/acid soils. | “mast” is food for finches wood pigeons and mice. | 64 | Grows well in NI to form fine specimen trees. Casts a very dense shade when mature. Much used for hedging due to persistent leaves. |
| Horse chesnut Aesculus hippocastanum |
F | Tolerates a wide range of soils and grows well on clay. | Doesn’t like poorly drained and infertile sites. | 4 | Best known for its conkers. Needs a large site. A large handsome tree. Easily grown. | |
| Lime Tilia vulgaris |
F | Prefers a rich fertile soils. Likes clay sites. | Doesn’t like in infertile soils or exposure. | Produces lots of nectar for bees. | 31 | Traditionally planted in avenues. Well-known for producing lots of suckers. Seed not usually fertile. |
| Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus |
F | Very tolerant of exposed coastal sites. Extremely tough. | Avoid very wet sites. Will grow almost anywhere. | Does produce a large biomass of the insects it does support. | 15 | Will grow on coastal sites where no other tree will. Very invasive in woodlands. |
| Crack willow Salix fragilis |
f | Prefers ditch or waterside sites | Do not like dry sites or acid soils. | Older specimens often develop holes used by nesting birds. Good for insect life. | Often pollarded. | |
| White willow Salix alba |
f | Prefer damp/wet soils. Ideal for streambanks. | Do not like dry sites or acid soils. | See Willow, all. | Very fast growing |
KEY
F = high forest tree
f = minor forest tree