Non-native woodland species
Common non-native woodland tree species:
Apple (Malus domestica),
Copper beech (Fagus sylvatica),
Cedar (Cedrus),
Plum cherry (Prunus cerasifera),
Sour cherry (Prunus cerasus),
Field elm (Ulmus minor),
Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum),
Sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa),
Leyland cypress (Cupressus leylandii),
Lawson cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana),
Huntingdon elm (Ulmus hollandica),
Eucalyptus,
Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii),
Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla),
European larch (Larix decidua),
Norway maple (Acer platanoides),
Monkey puzzle (Araucaria araucana),
Holm oak (Quercus ilex),
Red oak (Quercus rubra),
Turkey oak (Quercus cerris),
Pear (Pyrus),
Black pine (Pinus nigra),
London plane (Platanus acerifolia),
Plum (Prunus),
White poplar (Populus alba),
Norway spruce (Picea abies),
Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis),
Sycamore (Acer pseudoplantanus),
Walnut (Juglans regia),
Black walnut (Juglans nigra),
Western red cedar (Thuja plicata) and
Irish yew (Taxus baccata).
(Woodland Trust)
Transplanting non-native trees:
Glorious Woodlands will ensure that your woodland trees are grown from smaller and younger sizes as this will lead to the best establishment. Glorious Woodlands will also ensure the best care for newly translated trees which gives them a greater chance of success.
Introduced species are usually available as bare-rooted transplants. Instead, they are grown in a nursery for another year or two until they are 1.2 to 1.8 metres in height.
Some non-native species benefit from early pruning, this is best done in the nursery, to help form a balanced head of growth.
Advantages of non-native trees:
Woodlands with non-native or non-local species may have an important role on very exposed sites, they can act as a nurse to the desired final species.
Contaminated soils or soils which are very low in nutrients may only be able to support woodland cover of non-native species.
Non-native trees can change the character and composition of your woodland which can increase the richness of your woodland.
Some non-native trees have become naturalised in the UK such as copper beech (Fagus sylvatica f. purpurea), cedar (Cedrus libani), elm (Ulmus minor), horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) and many others.
Incorporating native and non-native trees provides visual diversity to your woodland.
Non-native trees are less susceptible to native diseases, which native trees are not resistant to.
Non-native trees can provide fruit and timber.
Disadvantages of non-native trees:
Native trees are valuable as they provide habitats for native wildlife. Therefore, trees growing in places they naturally would is crucial for specialised species.
Non-native trees can change the character and composition of your woodland which can give too much shade or the leaf litter could smother the field layer.
Non-native trees may be more prone to disease.
Some non-native species may require maintenance as they are less adapted to the area.
Trees that are more rare and interesting could be more invasive and potentially more expensive.
