Trees and Hedges for Wildlife
What?
Trees and hedges bring structure, shade, food and connection. They’re long-lived features that link gardens, farmland and streets into a single green network. But tree planting isn’t always the best or only action for nature recovery — sometimes the most valuable thing you can do is protect what already grows, or simply give space for natural regeneration. When new trees are appropriate, choosing the right species for the right place ensures they thrive and support local wildlife.
Where?
Everywhere: gardens, parks, school grounds, farms, and community spaces. On the Isle of Wight, trees and hedges connect downs, villages and coast — vital routes for birds, bats and red squirrels. However, avoid planting trees on flower-rich grasslands, wetlands, or historic features where open ground is ecologically important.
For site-specific actions, check out the Isle of Wight Habitat Map, and find out what is particularly special around your garden or space.
How?
Check before you plant. Protect existing habitats such as grasslands, wetlands, and archaeological sites — they may already support more biodiversity than a new tree could.
Encourage natural regeneration. Where space allows, let seedlings and suckers grow from existing trees or hedge bases instead of planting new ones. Self-sown trees are already adapted to local soils and conditions, need less watering, and help maintain the Island’s natural character. If they’re in the wrong place, they can be transplanted.
Choose wildlife-friendly species. Disease-resistant elms, juniper, buckthorn, alder buckthorn, black poplar and small-leaved lime are particularly valuable on the Island.
Plant mixed native hedges. Use hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel, field maple, spindle and dogwood.
Fill gaps in existing hedges to restore connectivity and shelter.
Let hedges grow. Allow the base to thicken and sections to flower and fruit before trimming.
Trim only in winter. Avoid cutting between March and September when birds are nesting.
Leave old or fallen wood. It’s an essential habitat for fungi, beetles and other wildlife.
Add understorey planting. Ferns, violets and wood anemones thrive in partial shade and enrich soil life.
Encourage hedge-laying where appropriate to rejuvenate old lines and keep them dense.
When?
Plant bare-root trees and hedges from November to March. Water well in the first year and mulch to retain moisture. If natural seedlings appear nearby, let some grow — natural regeneration is often the most sustainable way to restore trees.
Why?
Trees and hedges filter noise, cool the air, store carbon and create travel corridors for wildlife. They also connect gardens, farms and coast into a living network across the Island. But in some places, the right action is restraint: letting open habitats remain open, or nurturing the trees that are already there. True recovery means understanding your space and acting in tune with it.
Actions for Isle of Wight Species
Red squirrels nest and feed in mature trees and linked canopies.
Bats use hedgerows as sheltered flight lines.
House sparrows and starlings nest in thick hedges and feed on their insects.
Brimstone butterflies exclusively lay their eggs on Common Buckthorn and Alder Buckthorn.
Hedgehogs use dense hedge bases for nesting and cover.
Observe and Record
Take photos before and after — even a few months apart shows change.
Note what wildlife visits: bees, birds, butterflies, mosses.
Watching your patch change is part of the recovery story — and your records can feed into the Island’s Local Nature Recovery data.
Resources
“Linked to LNRS measures TW1.3, TW1.4 and LP1.3, supporting treescape conservation, stronger wildlife corridors, and “right tree, right place” planting.”