The selection and procurement of native tree and shrub species.

A summarised extract from 'Guidelines For Creating New Native Woodland' by John Aldhous. BA. FICFor

General

Native species should be used wherever they can effectively perform the requirements of the design.

Native species have the following benefits:

• They are more likely to survive and flourish.

• They maintain local character and conservation value.

• They complement other native species of flora and fauna.

• They conform to government commitment to biological diversity.

However it is important to appreciate that non native species have an equally significant and valuable role in the landscape:

Scots pine is native to the highlands but has been used effectively in other areas of the UK.

Likewise many non native species have been planted extensively and effectively in Scotland. For example; beech, sycamore, lime, larch, hornbeam, dogwood, privet, field maple, Swedish whitebeam, and the wayfaring tree are now important elements of Scottish landscape character.

Origin and Provenance

For the purpose of ensuring proper supply of plants it is essential that the distinction between origin and provenance for native trees and shrubs is understood and correctly used.

The definitions below follow the Forest Reproductive Material Regulations.

Seed origin is the geographical locality within the natural range of a species where the parent seed source or their wild ancestors originally grew.

Seed provenance is the geographical locality where any stand of trees is now growing and from which seed was or will be collected.

Regions of provenance are defined by their dominant climatic characterisations. Scotland has been divided into two main regions of provenance with sub divisions of these regions as a basis for defining 'local', in the context of seed supply. (Figure 4)

Procurement and authenticity of native stock

In order to confirm that specified stock has been correctly selected for the contract, the contractor shall provide at the time of order the following information:

• species and genus;

• age;

• location of seed source and provenance sub region;

• an estimate of the probability that the seed source is of local origin; and

• year of collection.

Species that colonise readily, in particular sycamore, should only be planted after due consideration of their possible potential for invading adjacent woodland, however it is recognised that these species also have a role in fulfilling landscape design objectives.

Use of Scots pine

Where Scots pine are to be planted within the designated Caledonian Pine Zone their seed origin shall be in accordance with the biochemical regions described in the Caledonian Pinewood Inventory available from The Forestry Authority Scotland.

Use of gorse and broom

Planting or sowing of gorse and broom should be avoided along the roadside. Gorse and broom are invasive species and will readily colonise roadside land without deliberate planting, also large areas of gorse and broom can become a fire hazard.

In exceptional circumstances gorse and broom may be permitted to suit specific objectives and environments. Gorse can create a valuable habitat for insects and small animals, broom can be used as a nurse species, both are hardy in windswept maritime sites.

In all situations the probability of self seeding causing a nuisance must be considered.

Plant Selection Procedure

The figures and tables on the following pages define the steps to be taken and the aspects to be considered in selecting plants for a project.

Figure 1

Note 1. NVC woodland types are described in British Plant Communities Vol.1. Woodland and Scrub,
J.S. Rodwell, Cambridge University Press, 1991

Figures 2 & 3: NVC woodland types on soils in upland and lowland zones

Source: An ecological site classification for forestry for Great Britain with special reference to Grampian, Scotland. (Pyatt, D.G. and Suarez, J.C. 1997) Forestry Commission Technical Paper 20 Figs 51 & 52

Figure 2: Optimal conditions for native (oak and alder) woodlands for climatic zones warm dry and warm moist (FC Bulletin 112 'Lowland zone')

Figure 3: Optimal conditions for native woodlands for climatic zones Cool Moist and Cool Wet (FC Bulletin 112 'Upland zone')

Figure 4: Map of regions of provenance for Scotland and provisional sub regions

Source: Consultation paper on sources of planting material for native woodlands. (Forestry Authority, Edinburgh. 1997) Appendix A.

Figure 5

Table A: Lists of species for NVC woodland types in Scotland

Source: Creating New Native Woodlands (Rodwell, J. & Paterson, G 1994) Forestry Commission Bulletin 112 Tables 4.3 and 4.4.

Table B: Tolerance to salt of a range of tree species

Tolerant	Ulmus glabra	wych elm
	Quercus robur	pedunculate oak
	Alnus glutinosa	common alder
Intermediate	Fraxinus excelsior	ash
	Crataegus monogyna	hawthorn
	Acer campestris	field maple
	Sorbus aucuparia	rowan
	Fagus sylvatica	beech
	Carpinus betulus	hornbeam
Sensitive	Acer pseudoplatanus	sycamore

The first listed species is the most tolerant; the last the least. Differences in ranking of one or two places are probably not significant.

Table C: Native species for heavily disturbed or reclaimed sites