Audi Sytner supported the planting of 2,710 climate resilient trees across the UK in 2022-23

Sytner have planted 2,710 climate resilient trees with GreenTheUK this year. The trees will be planted across 6 woodlands in the UK, including areas local to Sytner dealerships like North Yorkshire. Customers who have recently visited Sytner may have noticed electronic screens sharing their commitment to plant on scale this year across two projects with GreenTheUK. See below for a detailed breakdown of species planted and biodiversity benefits.

Tree Species Planted:

400 trees planted in Hampshire

The trees in this Hampshire woodland have been badly affected by the deadly tree disease Ash Dieback. To make matters worse, the rest of the woodland is dominated by beech trees, which are one of the species that are particularly susceptible to drought. Occurrences of droughts in the UK are expected to increase as the Climate Emergency progresses and so non-drought resistant strains of beech trees may not survive. The dead and dying trees in this woodland will be replaced with a mix of conifers and broadleaf trees that have been chosen specifically for their resistance to disease and climate change.

50 Trees Planted

Hornbeam: Carpinus Betulus

The hornbeam is extremely tough and keeps its leaves all year round, making it an attractive proposition for birds, insects and other animals. Hornbeam wood is very hard, in fact it is also known as “ironwood” and the Romans recognised its durability, using it to make their chariots. Nowadays, this timber is used for tool handles, coach wheels, parquet flooring and chess pieces!

40 Trees Planted

Atlantic Cedar: Cedrus Atlantica

The Atlantic or Atlas Cedar is a large evergreen tree that is native to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco and Algeria, and often grows high above sea level. This tree is conical in shape when it starts to grow, but broadens out in later life as its leaves spread. The essential oil extracted from this cedar’s bark is popular with aromatherapists, who use it to help treat a wide range of ailments.

20 Trees Planted

Japanese Red Cedar: Cryptomeria Japonica

The Japanese red cedar is a low-maintenance evergreen conifer that grows well in parks and gardens and thrives in moist, well-drained soil. It has distinctive red-brown bark which peels off in strips, and it can grow as tall as 70m. It is known as “Sugi” in Japan, where it is the national tree, but despite its name, it is not actually a true cedar; its closest relative is the giant sequoia.

40 Trees Planted

Beech: Fagus Sylvatica

If the oak is the king of British trees, then the beech is its queen. A dense canopy of leaves provides a rich habitat for all sorts of insects, its seeds are popular with mice and squirrels, and hole-nesting birds make their homes in beech trunks. Some of the UK’s tallest native trees are beeches, including one that stands at over 44m tall on the National Trust's Devil's Dyke Estate in West Sussex.

40 Trees Planted

Black Walnut: Juglas Nigra

The black walnut was introduced to Europe from the United States in the 17th century and now thrives in sunny, mostly southern, parts of Britain. It is allelopathic, which means its roots release a chemical preventing many other plants from growing nearby, giving the black walnut an advantage. Its nuts are edible and make a popular snack, while medicines and tinctures have been made from various parts of the tree to treat a range of ailments.

40 Trees Planted

Norway Spruce: Picea Abies

This fast-growing evergreen conifer can live for as long as 1000 years and grows to a height of up to 40m. It has red-brown cones, which are the largest of any spruce tree. In 1848, Queen Victoria’s husband Prince Albert introduced the custom of decorating a Norway spruce for Christmas, and it has been a popular festive tree choice in the UK ever since.

40 Trees Planted

Douglas Fir: Pseudotsuga Menziesii

Douglas fir was first introduced to the UK from North America in the 1800s. These fragrant evergreen members of the pine family can live for up to 1,000 years, but are often cut down for use as Christmas trees. Douglas fir timber has lots of commercial uses, including furniture, flooring and decking, for example.

30 Trees Planted

Wild Pear: Pyrus Communis

Pear trees have been grown in orchards and gardens across the UK since the end of the 10th century. This tree can live for a long time - around 250 years - so ancient Chinese people believed that the pear was a symbol of immortality. Pear trees are popular with both humans and insects; birds enjoy snacking on the fruit, while bees sip nectar from the flowers.

20 Trees Planted

Coast Redwood: Sequoia Sempervirens

Coast redwoods are amongst the oldest living things on Earth, with some dating back over 2,000 years. This giant of the forest can grow to over 100m tall with a trunk around 9m thick. Older coast redwoods are remarkably fire resistant because they have very thick bark which acts as a protective shell; an important quality in this tree’s native California, where forest fires are often a threat.

40 Trees Planted

Wild Service: Sorbus Tormentalis

This deciduous tree has broad leaves which look a little like those of the maple and start off bright green, before turning red and falling in the autumn. The wild service is becoming increasingly rare, but grows best in the UK’s ancient woodlands near oak or ash trees. You’ll find wild service trees growing on the British Prime Minister’s country estate in Buckinghamshire, which is named after its fruits, “Chequers”.

40 Trees Planted

Western Red Cedar: Thuja Plicata

The western red cedar’s strength is celebrated in Native American cultures, and it attracts and shelters many species of birds and insects. Its timber is extremely durable, making it a good source of building materials. If you take a bit of western red cedar foliage and crush it between your fingers, it gives off a sweet smell like pineapple.

500 trees planted in County Down

At this site, a uniform block of non-native spruce trees have been replaced with a mix of native broadleaved trees and Scots pine. The new trees will grow at different rates and create many different habitats for local wildlife. The new woodland will also connect wooded habitats and features in the local area, helping woodland wildlife to move between habitats more easily.

75 Trees Planted

Silver Birch: Betula Pendula

The silver birch is an elegant, majestic-looking tree which can survive in a range of climates, making it a very popular choice for gardeners. It attracts hundreds of insect species, and woodpeckers like to nest in its rough, tough, silver-white trunk. There is a lot of mythology attached to the silver birch, which is said to symbolise purity, new beginnings and protection. Once upon a time, on Midsummer’s Eve, silver birch boughs were hung across the doors of houses to bring good luck to their residents.

50 Trees Planted

Hazel: Corylus Avellana

The common hazel is native to Europe and western Asia and forms an important part of England’s hedgerows. We have all heard of hazelnuts, which are rich in unsaturated fats and protein, and an extremely popular ingredient in many of the world’s cuisines. Did you know that hazel trees were once seen as both magical and a symbol of fertility?

75 Trees Planted

Beech: Fagus Sylvatica

75 Trees Planted

Scots Pine: Pinus Sylvestris

The UK’s only truly native pine is Scotland’s national tree and can be found in abundance in the Highlands. The Caledonian Pine Forest is home to all sorts of wonderful species including the pine marten, red squirrel and rare Scottish wildcat. Scots pine has strong timber which is used for making fences, telegraph poles and other construction materials, and the bark can be tapped for resin to make turpentine.

75 Trees Planted

Wild Cherry: Prunus Avium

Stunning white cherry blossoms burst forth in April, heralding the arrival of spring and bringing joy to parks and gardens. Mature cherry trees can live for up to 60 years, and provide a great source of food for birds, bees, insects and small animals like badgers and mice. Our ancestors would boil wild cherries and make them into a syrup to treat a range of ailments including coughs and anaemia.

75 Trees Planted

Red Oak: Quercus Rubra

Standing tall and majestic, the Red Oak is native to North America, but brings a wealth of environmental benefits to the UK landscape. Its expansive canopy provides shade, and they are more disease resistant and so could provide a haven for wildlife where our native oaks are threatened by tree diseases. The deep-rooted nature of this oak species helps stabilise soil and prevent erosion. By utilising sustainably sourced Red Oak timber, the local community contributes to responsible forestry practices and the preservation of natural habitats. It is frequently planted as an ornamental tree for its flaming autumn colour.

75 Trees Planted

Rowan: Sorbus Aucuparia

Also known as the mountain ash, rowan trees grow well at high altitudes and are commonly found in the Scottish Highlands, as well as on streets and in gardens across the UK. Many birds eat their scarlet berries in the autumn, then disperse the seeds. Rowan used to be planted next to homes to ward off the threat of witches, as red was once believed to guard against evil.

100 trees planted in North Yorkshire

Quick growing trees have been planted in this woodland to provide a sustainable source of wood to make into charcoal. This high quality, locally grown charcoal will help to reduce carbon emissions by reducing the need to import timber for charcoal making to the UK from aboard. Rather than the decades it can take for other tree species to grow, the first harvest for charcoal will be available just six years after planting.

40 Trees Planted

Mountain Gum: Eucalyptus Dalrympleana

Mountain gum originates from Australia, where it grows in woodlands and forests all over the country. Perhaps unsurprisingly then, this tall, hardy, fast-growing tree fares best in sunny conditions here in the UK, where it can grow to a height of 40m! It has smooth, light-coloured bark and produces little yellow flowers which grow in clusters of three.

13 Trees Planted

Alpine Ash: Eucalyptus Delegatensis

Alpine ash comes from southeastern Australia, where it is also known as “woollybutt”. This tree has rough, greyish-black bark on the lower half of its trunk, while the top half is smooth and light in colour, making for a striking contrast. With enough time and space, the eucalyptus delegatensis can grow to a height of around 90m, making it one of the tallest tree species in the world.

13 Trees Planted

Tingiringi Gum: Eucalyptus Glaucescens

With its towering presence, smooth bark and silver-blue foliage, the Tingiringi Gum graces the UK landscape while offering numerous benefits to the environment. This majestic eucalyptus is known for its ability to absorb large amounts of water, making it valuable in flood management. Tingiringi gums are fast growing and are excellent trees for rapid carbon sequestration, taking carbon from the atmosphere and looking it away in the growing tree. Also known as the 'Silver Mountain Gum', its remarkably durable wood has myriad applications, from crafting furniture to constructing flooring, showcasing the tree's robust nature.

33 Trees Planted

Swamp Peppermint: Eucalyptus Rodwayi

Amidst the UK's wetlands, the Swamp Peppermint thrives. A resilient eucalyptus, its strong root system prevents soil erosion and improves water quality. The aromatic leaves of this tree and white flowers in summer and autumn are attractive to pollinating insects, such as bees and butterflies. This fast growing tree will reach its mature size in just 10 -20 years, making it a valuable species for rapid carbon capture and storage. Its attractive timber also supports sustainable local industries.

500 trees planted in West Sussex

This woodland in the South Downs National Park has restored with a mix of native broadleaved trees. Over the last 50 years, Dutch elm disease has killed millions of elm trees in the UK. As part of this project, disease resistant elm trees have been planted to help replace some of the trees that were lost from the landscape. Elms, alongside other broadleaf trees, such as juniper trees, will provide food and shelter for local wildlife.