Notes on some additional speciesGrey alder, Alnus incana is an exotic from Europe and the Caucasus which has been well tested in Britain. It grows well and is much used for shelterbelts and reclaiming derelict land. It tolerates poor soils but requires them to be dryer than does Black alder. Not suitable for thin chalk soils. Italian alder, Alnus cordata is a handsome tree from Corsica and south Italy. It has been grown in Britain since 1820. It has been successful on exposed sites but does best on the sides of streams and ponds and other sites near to water. Red alder, Alnus rubra is native to western North America. It has a long natural range from Alaska to California and should have good potential in Britain on upland sites but it has not yet been thoroughly tested and should be used with care, especially on difficult sites. Common dogwood, Cornus sanguinea. A dediduous suckering shrub, widespread in England and Wales where it is found along the margins of woodlands and scrub, particularly on chalky soils. Notable for its pleasing red stems in winter. Southern beeches, Nothofagus obliqua and N. procera. Two fast grown species with good habit of' growth and showing great promise. The testing of provenances to obtain hardiness to frost continues and the full potential and limitations of these handsome trees should soon be known. Poplars currently approved for grant aid from the Forestry Commision are:- P. x canescens; P. x euramericana `Eugenei', `Gelrica', `Heidemij', `I-78', `Robusta' and `serotina'; P. tacamahaca x tricocarpa 32; P. trichocarpa `Fritzi Pauley' and `Scott Pauley'. Bird cherry, Prunus padus. A small, attractive native shrub suitable for planting in Scotland and northern England on acid brown earths for amenity and on the margins of coniferous shelterbelts. Regenerates from seed and also suckers. Red oak, Quercus borealis. A quick growing tree suitable for light sandy soils. It withstands atmospheric pollution and produces a general purpose hardwood timber. It has grown well in the Midlands of England and has proved valuable for reclaiming derelict industrial sites. Acorns must be collected from stands recorded in the National Register of Seed Sources under EEC rules. False acacia or Locust tree, Robinia pseudoacacia. A leguminous tree that has root nodules and can fix atmospheric nitrogen. It tolerates poor, dry light soils, whether calcareous or acid and can also withstand atmospheric pollution. So it is a valuable tree for reclaiming derelict land. Elms, Ulmus species. Until cultivars resistant to the Dutch elm disease have been produced and thoroughly tested, it is better to plant alternative species for woodlands and hedgerows, for example ash, beech, hornbeam, Small-leaved lime, Large-leaved lime, Norway maple, the oaks, Sweet chestnut, sycamore, White willow and also trees of smaller stature such as the alders, birches, Wild cherry, rowan, Whitebeam and Wild service-tree. |
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