Train Hugger Planting Projects

Case Study: Planting for Resilience in Buckinghamshire

Tree Planting

Case Study: Planting for Resilience in Buckinghamshire

This mixed woodland in the beautiful Chiltern Hills has been designed to maximise benefits for biodiversity and help in our fight against climate change. Oak, hornbeam, wild service and cherry trees will provide important homes and food for wildlife. Whilst fir trees will grow quickly, taking carbon from the atmosphere and locking it away in timber that can eventually be used for carpentry.

Quicker growing alder and pine will shelter new oak trees as they grow. Oaks have been growing on this site for over 500 years. Over this time they have provided thousands of people with fuel and timber for buildings, as well as being important habitats for local wildlife. In a little over 100 years’ time, these trees could provide timber for new buildings and houses and more young oaks will grow up to take their place.

This project is in partnership with:

Royal Forestry Society

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Listed below are some of the trees planting on this site

The hornbeam is extremely tough and keeps its leaves all year round, making it an attractive proposition for birds, insects and other animals. Hornbeam wood is very hard, in fact it is also known as “ironwood” and the Romans recognised its durability, using it to make their chariots. Nowadays, this timber is used for tool handles, coach wheels, parquet flooring and chess pieces!

Hornbeam

Also known as the common or English oak, this is the undisputed king of the woods, supporting more wildlife species than any other native tree in the UK. “Robur” in this oak’s Latin name means “strength” and “hard timber” because this tree produces incredibly durable wood which can be used to make many things, including furniture and flooring. The oak has been considered sacred by many gods in mythology throughout the ages.

Pedunculate Oak

This deciduous tree has broad leaves which look a little like those of the maple and start off bright green, before turning red and falling in the autumn. The wild service is becoming increasingly rare, but grows best in the UK’s ancient woodlands near oak or ash trees. You’ll find wild service trees growing on the British Prime Minister’s country estate in Buckinghamshire, which is named after its fruits, “Chequers”.

Wild Service

Stunning white cherry blossoms burst forth in April, heralding the arrival of spring and bringing joy to parks and gardens. Mature cherry trees can live for up to 60 years, and provide a great source of food for birds, bees, insects and small animals like badgers and mice. Our ancestors would boil wild cherries and make them into a syrup to treat a range of ailments including coughs and anaemia.

Wild Cherry

Alder can be found across Europe and thrives in moist ground and damp cool areas, which is why you’ll often see alder trees planted near rivers and ponds. Moth caterpillars love alder leaves and the tree’s roots make an ideal nesting site for otters. For humans, the real value of alder wood is that it’s durable when wet, so is useful for making boats and sluice gates. The story goes that outlaws like Robin Hood would have used the green dye from alder flowers to camouflage their clothing!

Alder

The UK’s only truly native pine is Scotland’s national tree and can be found in abundance in the Highlands.The Caledonian Pine Forest is home to all sorts of wonderful species including the pine marten, red squirrel and rare Scottish wildcat. Scots pine has strong timber which is used for making fences, telegraph poles and other construction materials, and the bark can be tapped for resin to make turpentine.‍

Scots Pine

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