Earlier this year, Coastal was successful in an application to the Woodland Trust for a copse pack: a set of 30 young, native trees for planting as an extension to existing woodland. This enhances an area’s biodiversity and creates nature corridors in urban and peri-urban areas.

On 13 November members of staff from across Coastal came together to plant a mix of the following trees:

Wild cherry  – the spring flowers provide an early source of nectar and pollen for bees, while the cherries are eaten by birds, including the blackbird and song thrush, as well as mammals, such as the badger, wood mouse, yellow-necked mouse and dormouse. The foliage is the main food plant for caterpillars of many species of moth, including the cherry fruit and cherry bark moths, the orchard ermine, brimstone and short-cloaked moth.

Silver birch  – provides food and habitat for more than 300 insect species – the leaves attract aphids which provide food for ladybirds and other species further up the food chain. The leaves are also food for the caterpillars of many moths, including the angle-shades, buff tip, pebble hook-tip, and Kentish glory. Birch trees are particularly associated with specific fungi, including fly agaric, woolly milk cap, birch milk cap, birch brittlegill, birch knight, chanterelle and the birch polypore.

Rowan – leaves are eaten by the caterpillars of a number of moths, including the larger Welsh wave and autumn green carpet. Caterpillars of the apple fruit moth feed on the berries. Flowers provide pollen and nectar for bees and other pollinating insects, while the berries are a rich source of autumn food for birds, especially the blackbird, mistle thrush, redstart, redwing, song thrush, fieldfare and waxwing.

As these trees grow they will offer a number of environmental benefits including carbon capture, air filtration, and flooding prevention in addition to the biodiversity benefits listed above.

Read our all possible action strategy to find out more about Coastal’s commitment to the environment and sustainability across all of our work.