The following selection of plants are ideal for Forest School sites, either to enhance existing areas, or to set up a site from scratch. If establishing a site on grassland or in exposed places then look no further than the Pioneer Plants – these pioneers and sacrificial plants will establish a rapid framework of growth and green infrastructure…. allowing other longer term trees to successfully establish at the same time or a few years later.
Most effective sizes and formats – pot grown vs bare-root
We do not recommend young plants (1 yr old) for schools. Young plants are easily overwhelmed by grasses and other weeds, or hit by mowers/strimmers. This category includes free trees from certain envionmental charities.
We recommend 2 to 3 year old deciduous trees at 4ft to 6ft height, evergreens at 2ft to 4ft – pot grown or bare-rooted. We tend to prefer healthy pot grown trees (from reliable nurseries, including our own) which can be planted throughout the year. Plant bare-rooted trees only in winter.
Other advantages of pot grown trees: children planting trees find the size of a pot is more easily quantified to a hole in the ground, whereas the bare root volume can be confusing to guage; plus with pot grown specimens, there is no possibility of the roots drying out during the planting process.
The pot grown tree at 4-6ft height is large enough to have an immediate visual effect. It will also not be overwhelmed by vigorous grasses and weeds during its first season. And, it is small enough to have a young rooting system which can easily push out and establish itself rapidly.
USEFUL PIONEER PLANTS
Use the following selection of wind hardy, fast growing pioneer plants to establish the site at the beginning.
Large and medium trees
Italian Alder, Alnus cordata: handsome deciduous tree, fast growing (1m a year), mature character in 30 years. Rapid establishment, nitrogen fixing, pollution absorbing, incredibly wind hardy, can cope with dry soils and temporary waterlogging, pollen for bees in March, retains leaves into winter, hardy to minus 20C. Useful as a sacrificial crop to ‘nurse’ slower growing trees up, or as a specimen in itself.
Native Alder, Alnus glutinosa: as above, but not as fast growing. Copes with wetter soils better than the Italian Alder.
Birch, Betula pendula: strong growing tree (80 cms a year) up to 20m height, with characteristic white-ish bark, delicate foliage which decomposes quickly to enrich soils and create beneficial conditions for longer, slower growing trees. Edible sap and leaves, good firewood and many other uses.
Willow species, Salix species: fast growing medium to large trees (which can also be planted for free as 12” cuttings from established trees December to March); willows prefer a wet or damp site. The smaller growing pussy willow (Salix caprea) can tolerate drier conditions and can establish rapidly.
Rowan, Sorbus acuparia: the lovely orange berried rowan, great bee and bird friendly tree, the leaves and flowers make tea, good firewood and very wind hardy.
Whitebeam, Sorbus aria: prefers a non-acidic site, similar properties to the Rowan
Lawson’s Cypress, Chamaecyparis lawsoniana; x Cupressus leylandii, Leyland cypress: either of these superb evergreens makes quick thick shelter. Large growing, mature plants need space; or use as a sacrificial crop. Do not use Leylandii as a hedge, it often causes disputes! However, it is a great tree for schools if mixed in with other species. Bird nesting, climbing, pollution absorbing, noise reducing.
Scots Pine, Pinus sylvestris: another good evergreen (native) for dry ground. Slower growing. Great companion when mixed with Birch and Rowan. Pine cones; red bark; bees; lovely scent; good timber.
Useful small trees; shrubs and bushes
Hazel, Corylus avellana: essential FS plant, 3-4m height, fast growing, multi stem plant yielding materials for den making, walking sticks, arts and crafts, firewood, weaving etc. Very tactile timber and all parts user friendly, including the large soft leaves which make great toilet paper if caught short. Nuts as well!
Buddleija species: bomb proof butterfly bush, very fast to establish, pretty flowers (albeit usually in the summer holidays) which dry on the tree and make great fire lighting material throughout the year. Also yields large amounts of kindling sticks which season quickly, just chop the branches and allow to dry in a pile. Caution: this plant will self seed and should be grubbed up where not needed.
Willow species: small varieties and coppiced willows yield masses of good firewood. Needs seasoning for 6-9 months and burns very well.
Cotoneaster franchettii: lovely shrubby multi-stem cotoneaster to 3m height, evergreen, wind hardy providing good shelter. Fab bee plant, covered in June flowers which turn a bright orange in September. Berries may last for 4 months when they turn a darker red and are loved by songbirds. Some years the berries are eaten before the end of October. Most pollution absorbing plant on earth! 2 or 3 of these plants make a great backdrop to a bird feeding station – you can place a small DIY bird hide in front of this, covered in cost effective camouflage netting for close up nature watching.
Elder, Sambucus nigra: good old Elder yields consistently great flowers for tea and making cordial. Pick and dry the large flowers on sheets of newspaper in a sunny room, store in glass jars. In the winter, sprinkle a few of these in a cup of hot water for a summery hot drink infusion. Hollow sticks for whistles. Very wildlife friendly. loved by all birds and bugs!
These are just some of the fantastic plants that establish the basis of a new Forest school site; or enhance existing sites. It’s always good to expand and add new plants.
We grow and sell a wide range of plants and trees for Forest Schools and for school grounds generally. Please get in touch for further information.