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Trees woods and wildlife
Yew
Ancient, morbid, toxic. The yew is one of the longest-lived native species in Europe. This has made it a symbol of death and doom, but it provides food and shelter for woodland animals.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Stag beetle
Impressive, heavily armed and a formidable fighter. The stag beetle depends on trees and woods for its survival. Its fat larvae feed on the decaying wood of old broadleaved trees. Loss of its woodland habitat means that the stag beetle is now a nationally scarce species.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Noctule bat
Often seen flying high above the tree-tops, the noctule bat is the largest bat in the UK. This species relies on tree holes to roost in and is often confused for a swift when on the wing.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Sika deer
Not as grumpy as it looks, the sika deer’s furrowed brow sets it apart from other deer species. Introduced to the UK in 1860, it is rapidly increasing in numbers.
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Practical guidance
Tree species handbook
Our guide to choosing the best tree species when creating new woodland, with profiles of 50 tree and shrub species and 18 woodland communities.
PDF (13.70 MB)
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Trees woods and wildlife
Whitebeam, rock
Rugged yet charming, rock whitebeam clings to areas of rocky woodland and fissures in limestone cliffs. A parent species of the rarer Arran whitebeam, the rock whitebeam is becoming increasingly hard to find.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Ash dieback
Ash dieback will kill around 80% of ash trees across the UK. At a cost of billions, the effects will be staggering. It will change the landscape forever and threaten many species which rely on ash.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Hooded crow
A striking scavenger with a taste for carrion. The hooded crow was once considered to be the same species as the carrion crow, but is now recognised separately.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Phytophthora lateralis
A fatal fungus-like species that attacks Lawson cypress, Phytophthora lateralis stops trees from transporting vital nutrients.
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Trees woods and wildlife
Dunnock
More than just a little brown job. Dunnocks may not be the most glamorous of birds, but there is more to this species than meets the eye, especially when it comes to mating.