Leaders Romans Group (LRG) supported the planting of 10,551 climate resilient trees across the UK from October 2021 - April 2022.

Climate resilient treescapes for the future have been created across the UK thanks to support from LRG. In partnership with GreenTheUK and the Royal Forestry Society, these trees have been planted in Buckinghamshire, Cornwall, Devon, Lancashire, Norfolk and West Yorkshire. In this report, learn more about the plans for the individual sites and interesting facts about the species planted at each.

Thanks to the LRG team, these trees will increase each woodland’s resilience to pests, diseases and/or climate change. The sites will transform into habitats where our local wildlife can flourish. Improving biodiversity and carbon sequestration are key benefits of this scheme.

Tree Species Planted:

1,290 trees planted in Hockeridge Wood, Buckinghamshire

This mixed woodland in the beautiful Chiltern Hills has been designed to maximise benefits for biodiversity and help in our fight against climate change. Oak, hornbeam, wild service and cherry trees will provide important homes and food for wildlife. Whilst fir trees will grow quickly, taking carbon from the atmosphere and locking it away in timber that can eventually be used for carpentry.

480 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.

20 Trees Planted

English Oak: Quercus Robur

Also known as the common or English oak, this is the undisputed king of the woods, supporting more wildlife species than any other native tree in the UK. “Robur” in this oak’s Latin name means “strength” and “hard timber” because this tree produces incredibly durable wood which can be used to make many things, including furniture and flooring. The oak has been considered sacred by many gods in mythology throughout the ages.

200 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!

190 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.

200 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”.

50 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.

150 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.

1,607 trees planted in Pancake Wood, Buckinghamshire

Quicker growing alder and pine will shelter new oak trees as they grow. Oaks have been growing on this site for over 500 years. Over this time they have provided thousands of people with fuel and timber for buildings, as well as being important habitats for local wildlife. In a little over 100 years’ time, these trees could provide timber for new buildings and houses and more young oaks will grow up to take their place.

135 Trees Planted

Alder: Alnus Glutinosa

Alder can be found across Europe and thrives in moist ground and damp cool areas, which is why you’ll often see alder trees planted near rivers and ponds. Moth caterpillars love alder leaves and the tree’s roots make an ideal nesting site for otters. For humans, the real value of alder wood is that it’s durable when wet, so is useful for making boats and sluice gates. The story goes that outlaws like Robin Hood would have used the green dye from alder flowers to camouflage their clothing!

1,025 Trees Planted

English Oak: Quercus Robur

146 Trees Planted

Italian Alder: Alnus Cordata

This tree grows quickly (about a metre per year in its early years) until it reaches a height of around 25m. It can thrive even when conditions aren’t particularly favourable and is often used to improve the quality of reclaimed land. Not only that, it is often planted as a windbreak. The Italian alder’s leaves are glossy, dark green and heart-shaped.

300 Trees Planted

Weymouth Pine: Pinus Strobus

This tree is named after Captain George Weymouth who brought its seeds to the UK from Maine, where it is the state tree, in the 17th century. These tall, robust pines were once used as masts for ships, and some of the most prized specimens were transported from North America for use by the British Royal Navy. The Weymouth pine is known as the “Tree of Peace” in some Native American cultures.

1 Trees Planted

Deodar Cedar: Cedrus Deodara

This large evergreen conifer is native to the Himalayas and grows at altitudes of over 1,500m. It gets its name from the Sanskrit word “devadāru” meaning “wood of the gods”, and is worshipped by Hindus as a divine tree. The deodar cedar’s fragrant wood can be burned as insect-repelling incense or distilled into a popular essential oil.

605 trees planted in Devon

Gum trees grow incredibly fast (usually about 1m or more every year in their first few years) which makes them very efficient at capturing carbon from the atmosphere and locking it away quickly. Timber from these trees can be used to make beautiful wooden flooring and furniture. This rapid carbon capture and storage is a brilliant weapon to use in our fight against climate change.

73 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.

36 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.

424 Trees Planted

Shining Gum: Eucalyptus Nitens

Native to the mountains of New South Wales in Australia, the shining gum grows very quickly and needs a lot of light to thrive. Don’t let this large tree’s tropical origins fool you, the shining gum can actually withstand sub-zero temperatures, which means it also grows well in some parts of the UK. Its light-coloured wood has hints of pale pink and yellow, making it a popular choice for furniture and flooring.

73 Trees Planted

Southern Blue Gum: Eucalyptus Globulus subsp. Bicostata

This tree is hugely prevalent across Australia and Tasmania, but also grows well in other countries with Mediterranean climates. The southern blue gum tree grows quickly: its hard yellow-brown timber is versatile and can be used for things like fence posts and flooring. If you’ve ever used eucalyptus oil to ward off the symptoms of a cold, this is where it originates from: the oil is steam distilled from the southern blue gum’s leaves.

3,050 trees planted in Norfolk

The trees planted here have been specially selected for their genetic ability to survive the predicted weather conditions that will be brought about by climate change over the next 50 -80 years. Douglas fir trees take about 50 years to reach maturity and oak trees will take over 100 years. All this time these trees will be taking carbon from the atmosphere and locking it away. Timber from Douglas fir and oak can be used by future generations for building (where it will continue to store carbon) and new trees can be planted in their place.

1,264 Trees Planted

Douglas Fir: Pseudotsuga Menziesii

1,786 Trees Planted

English Oak: Quercus Robur

300 trees planted in Cornwall

This woodland was planted 30 years ago as a mix of ash, beech, cherry and oak trees. Sadly in 2017, the deadly tree disease ash dieback was spotted in the woodland. Diseased ash trees (making up around 30% of the woodland) had to be cut down to stop the disease spreading to other areas. 10 additional tree species have been planted in amongst the surviving trees, making this a healthy, more diverse woodland for local wildlife.

300 Trees Planted

Sessile Oak: Quercus Petraea

The sessile oak is Ireland’s national tree and can be found across Europe. Sessile means “without a stalk”, and this tree’s acorns are stalkless, growing directly on twigs. Oaks provide a habitat for many creatures, including red squirrels, badgers, jays, caterpillars and around 250 more species of wildlife.

250 trees planted in Lancashire

On this site, a plantation with just one type of tree has been replaced with a mix of many different trees. Local wildlife will benefit from the new variety of habitats and food that will be provided all year round by these trees.

15 Trees Planted

Alder: Alnus Glutinosa

Alder can be found across Europe and thrives in moist ground and damp cool areas, which is why you’ll often see alder trees planted near rivers and ponds. Moth caterpillars love alder leaves and the tree's roots make an ideal nesting site for otters. For humans, the real value of alder wood is that it’s durable when wet, so is useful for making boats and sluice gates. The story goes that outlaws like Robin Hood would have used the green dye from alder flowers to camouflage their clothing!

31 Trees Planted

Ash: Fraxinus Excelsior

The ash is the third most common tree in Britain and thrives in rich, fertile soil where it provides a home for woodpeckers and owls. The ash’s leaves, and indeed its whole crown, can move in the direction of sunlight. You have probably heard of ash dieback disease, a fungus affecting both the leaves and crown. It has already wiped thousands of these elegant trees from our landscape, and experts are trying to stop it.

16 Trees Planted

Aspen: Populus Tremula

This striking tree, also known as the “quaking aspen” has shimmering foliage and can grow to 25m tall. The Celts believed that when aspen leaves fluttered in the wind, the tree was communicating with spirits between this world and the next. Since the European Beaver was reintroduced into Scotland after centuries of extinction, aspen has been one of its favourite foods.

15 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.

16 Trees Planted

Coast Redwood: Sequoia Sempervirens

16 Trees Planted

Douglas Fir: Pseudotsuga Menziesii

18 Trees Planted

English Oak: Quercus Robur

15 Trees Planted

Field Maple: Acer Campestre

This species is the UK's only native maple and is often grown as an ornamental tree in large gardens and parks, as well as in woods and hedgerows. Its wood is white, hard and strong, and is popular for making furniture, flooring and musical instruments, especially harps. Field maple flowers are hermaphrodite, meaning each flower contains both male and female reproductive parts.

16 Trees Planted

Grey Willow: Salix Cinerea

The grey willow has oval leaves that sit alongside the grey felt-like twigs and catkins which give it its name. The willow is often associated with sadness, but it wasn’t always so: it was a tree of celebration in the Bible. Aspirin is derived from salicin which is found in all willow species, and our ancestors would chew willow bark to relieve toothache and other pain.

15 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?

16 Trees Planted

Holly: Ilex Aquifolium

Holly trees can live for up to 300 years, providing a warm and safe habitat for birds to nest in and hedgehogs and other small mammals to hibernate. This tree has long been associated with Christmas, and its spiky green leaves and bright red berries have been used as festive decorations during winter for centuries. Holly was traditionally thought to ward off evil spirits, and Harry Potter fans may remember that the boy wizard’s wand is made from holly!

15 Trees Planted

Lodgepole Pine: Pinus Contorta

Also known as the shore or beach pine, this tree grows well along the coast because it tolerates sea spray and wind well. Here in the UK, it is commonly used for timber in the manufacture of flooring, roofing and to make things like chipboard and paper pulp. Native American communities and European settlers used the wood to make traditional lodges and log cabins, mainly in the Rocky Mountains: hence the name “lodgepole”.

16 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.

15 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.

15 Trees Planted

Sycamore: Acer Pseudoplatanus

Sycamores can live for 400 years and are attractive to aphids and their predators. Their seeds are very fertile and float to the ground like little helicopters. Sycamore timber is pale cream in colour and good for carving, which is why it is used for making traditional Welsh lovespoons. Fans of the children’s author Julia Donaldson may know that her popular character Stick Man and his family live in a sycamore tree!

185 trees planted in West Yorkshire

On this site, a plantation with just one type of tree has been replaced with a mix of native broadleaf species to benefit wildlife and fir trees to provide a sustainable source of fuel for the on-site biomass boiler. Sweet chestnut, cherry and oak trees will encourage small mammals which will, in turn, support birds of prey including red kites.

34 Trees Planted

English Oak: Quercus Robur

19 Trees Planted

Douglas Fir: Pseudotsuga Menziesii

65 Trees Planted

Field Maple: Acer Campestre

This species is the UK’s only native maple and is often grown as an ornamental tree in large gardens and parks, as well as in woods and hedgerows. Its wood is white, hard and strong, and is popular for making furniture, flooring and musical instruments, especially harps. Field maple flowers are hermaphrodite, meaning each flower contains both male and female reproductive parts.

34 Trees Planted

Sweet Chestnut: Castanea Sativa

The sweet chestnut tree is native to the Mediterranean and was first brought to Britain by the Romans, who used it in their cooking just as we do today. Sweet chestnuts grow in spiny cupules containing two or three nuts, which can then be removed and roasted. Indeed, anyone who has ever been to a Christmas market will recognise that scrumptious smell! The oldest chestnut tree in the world is over 2,000 years old and can be found five miles from Mount Etna in Sicily.

34 Trees Planted

Wild Cherry: Prunus Avium

964 trees planted in Devon

This brand new hedgerow has been planted to connect a nature reserve to a local farm, creating a wildlife highway that connects important habitats. The hedgerow has been designed to mimic the nature-rich neighbouring hedges that date back to the Bronze Age. When it is fully grown, the hedge will be wild and thick – perfect for nesting dormice and birds.

50 Trees Planted

Blackthorn: Prunus Spinosa

This small, thorny tree grows to around 5m tall and can be used in hedgerows. Its fruit - the sloe berry - looks a little like a small plum or damson and can be made into jam, jelly or even sloe gin. The blackthorn had a sinister reputation in mythology, where it was associated with witches.

50 Trees Planted

Dogwood: Cornus Alba

Dogwood thrives on the edges of damp woodlands and in hedgerows, so Britain’s wet climate really isn’t a problem for this fast-growing shrub. Mature dogwood trees can grow as high as 10m, with small blue-black fruits and little white flowers. It is one of the hardest woods there is, and was used to make crucifixes including - it is said - that of Jesus.

10 Trees Planted

Dog Rose: Rosa Canina

This pale pink hedgerow staple uses its thorns to clasp onto other plants and grow stronger. According to Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder, the plant is so-called because its root was once believed to cure the bite of a rabid dog. Rose hip oil is a popular ingredient in skincare products, and can also be used to make a syrup that is rich in vitamin C.

2 Trees Planted

Field Maple: Acer Campestre

50 Trees Planted

Guelder Rose: Viburnum Opulus

If you spot this deciduous shrub when you’re out and about, it probably means you’re passing through an ancient habitat. The guelder rose is one of the national symbols of Ukraine, where it is known as “kalyna” and represents fertility, youth and beauty. Guelder rose berries are an important source of food for birds, while hoverflies enjoy this plant’s flowers.

50 Trees Planted

Hawthorn: Crataegus Monogyna

Hawthorn is very much associated with the month of May, and the appearance of its bright, white flowers heralds the change from spring to summer. It is prolific in hedgerows, scrub and woodland throughout the UK and Ireland, and a single tree can grow as tall as 10m. In pagan times, hawthorn was a symbol of marriage and fertility, but in the Middle Ages, it was never brought into homes, as people believed it was a harbinger of illness and death.

600 Trees Planted

Hazel: Corylus Avellana

50 Trees Planted

Holly: Ilex Aquifolium

50 Trees Planted

Rowan: Sorbus Aucuparia

50 Trees Planted

Spindle: Euonymus Europeaeus

You’ll find this striking, brightly-coloured flowering plant in hedgerows and forests all over Europe. The spindle is also a very popular addition to parks and gardens, because of its pink and orange fruit and foliage which turns red in the autumn. Its wood is hard and dense, making it the ideal choice for the manufacture of spindles and skewers, and the discovery of spindle wood at Bronze Age burial sites means man has been using it for thousands of years.

2 Trees Planted

Wild Cherry: Prunus Avium

2,300 trees planted in Cambridgeshire

This woodland was planted over 120 years ago with ash and oak trees. Sadly, the ash trees have succumbed to the deadly tree disease Ash Dieback and have had to be removed to prevent the disease from spreading to other areas. The diseased trees have been replaced with eight different tree species which have been specially selected for their high wildlife value. These trees, which have been planted in amongst the 120 year old oak will provide a haven for wildlife.

250 Trees Planted

Blackthorn: Prunus Spinosa

250 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.

250 Trees Planted

Box: Buxus Semperivirens

This small, evergreen tree grows to about 10m at its tallest, making it a very popular ornamental addition to gardens all over Europe. Its flowers are small but have a distinctive smell, and boxwood is hard, smooth and can be highly polished, making it perfect for engravings and musical instruments. Box Hill in the North Downs in Surrey is named after the ancient box woodland on its west-facing chalk slopes.

550 Trees Planted

English Oak: Quercus Robur

250 Trees Planted

Hornbeam: Carpinus Betulus

250 Trees Planted

Wild Cherry: Prunus Avium

250 Trees Planted

Wild Privet: Ligustrum Vulgare

This bushy, deciduous shrub is native to the UK and Europe. It was a regular feature in Elizabethan gardens and is still very popular with gardeners today, as well as being found in hedgerows and on the edge of woodlands. It has white flowers which bloom in June, before small black berries - which are extremely poisonous to humans but popular with birds - appear in the autumn.

250 Trees Planted

Yew: Taxus Baccata

Yew trees are highly poisonous and ingesting almost any part of the plant can kill, but anti-cancer compounds can be harvested from the leaves and used by scientists in the manufacture of medicine. The Romans believed that yew trees grew in hell. Our ancient ancestors made longbows from yew wood; a very early example of one such weapon found in Dumfries and Galloway is believed to date back around 6,000 years.