whats the best trees to plant

[william petts]

On our farm I was thinking of dotting some small woodland about of current areas wherethere are a few trees but the gound has been ovr run with brambles and in other areas black thorn.

The main area which is probably an acre is situated in between two hay fields. It has two small streams/ditches running through it which meet together to make one. Its on a sort sslight slope, nothing to steep and the ground id say is reasonably moist all year round as although it slopes down it does have water from higher up run on to it and as I mentioned there is a stream.

Whats the best wood to plant. Im looking for it to 1: supress the brambles etc 2: be fast growing and mature as quick as possible and 3: something that can be harvested for firewood as thats what we mainly do.

Any ideas guys. The trees I thought about where silver birch as I like them for their appearance. And I believe there quite fast growing and quite like moust ground.

Cheers. William! !

[Daniël Bos]

Alder would probably do well, grows quick, burns well.

[Woodcrafter]

Sweet chestnut would be good great for harvesting and will make a nice coppice wood.

[spandit]

Alder, cherry & pear all like moist ground. There's always willow if you want really fast growth

[se7enthdevil]

hornbeam, service tree, field maple and robinia.

[Goaty]

Prunus padus (bird cherry) and lime are two others. I'm assuming conifers would look out of place, but western red cedar, would provide timber long term and nesting habitat.

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

Spruce.

[M Large Forestry Equipment]

Assuming the streams don't flood the area, alder and birch. Relatively quick to grow and decent firewood. Not so long ago I would have said ash (ah, but it seems so long ago now...).

[gooseflight]

Some swamp cypress (Taxodium distichum) for variety and colour.

[william petts]

Alder and birch seem good ideas, all the woodland in our areas all mostly hornbeam as it was all planted and coppiced for charcoal. I would plant hornbeam but its abit slow to grow. I plan was to plant saplings either 1 or 2 years old and plant out. If I was to plant birch and alder how far apart do you plant and any other planting tips etc???

And for planting sapling how long untill the trees become quite established and large, I think I heard birch fully matures in around 30 years??