The right mix

It is highly important to get the right balance of tree species for the area.
Because this is very high up, I have studied how wood naturally spreads and encroaches over open heaths or moors. First you have the Gorse and the Bracken, then shrub trees like Hawthorn and Rowan, protected and fed by the Gorse.

Birch and Oak appear when the shrub trees become thicker and push their way through, to dominate the canopy. Then later comes the Beech and the Ash.

You could say that Sweet Chestnuts come after the Beech, but they are not actually a native species, although they are not pestilent like Cotoneaster, Cherry Laurel or Sycamore.

Most of the woods I have planted have been rich in shrub trees, to imitate this heath or moorland encroachment and to make sure all the right ingredients exist up here for a full balanced and unique Eco-system to develop. Since here, we are completely surrounded by grazed moors, we are isolated and few species can get here without my help.