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Broadleaved or conifers?
Broadleaved (or deciduous) woodland is generally better than coniferous woodland
for wildlife as it is our native type of woodland
. Some species such as the red squirrel will benefit from the inclusion of some
pine, but make sure that it is our native Scot’s pine that is planted. Broadleaved trees also support far more insects than coniferous trees, with oak supporting nearly 300 species.
Species mix
Try to select a range of species that would naturally occur together in the wild. These will associate better together and look better too. Which association you choose will be guided by your soil types, and advice can be given by a number of organisations.
Structure
The understorey is formed by a scattering of shrubs
between the trees, both layers being planted at the same time. The
margin is an important element of woodland as it provides a shelter
belt for the internal woodland, improving the woodland atmosphere and
therefore growth. Margins are normally made up of shrub species and
would be up to 5m deep where space allows. A garden fence or hedge
would provide a similar function where the wood is to be planted in
an enclosed area.
 The understorey is formed by a scattering of shrubs between the trees, both layers being planted at the same time. The margin is an important element of woodland as it provides a shelter belt of the internal woodland, improving the woodland atmosphere and therefore growth. Margins are normally made up of shrub species and would be up to 5m deep where space allows. A garden fence or hedge would provide a similar function where the wood is to be planted in an enclosed area.
The field, or wildflower, layer may be sown or planted a few years
on from when the trees and shrubs are planted. In the first years of
a new woodland, where a stale seed bed has not been created first, there
tends to be vigorous grass growth between the trees. This will swamp
out any wildflowers that are sown and lead to disappointment. It may
be better to wait until the trees and shrubs are creating some shade
before controlling the grass and sowing the wildflower seed. The wildflowers
can simply be broadcast onto the ground by hand. Alternatively, you may
wish to sow a meadow mix between the trees (after controlling any weeds
first), and as the amount of shade increases some wild flower species
will be lost and woodland species can be sown. It can take up to ten
years before enough shade is created to lose meadow species.
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