Trees less than 1.2m tall, called ‘whips’ or ‘maidens’, are much cheaper, establish more quickly and soon catch up with larger specimens planted at the same time. The ideal season to plant a

Deciduous refers to plants (mainly trees and shrubs) that lose their leaves seasonally, usually during autumn. This is a natural process triggered by the season's shorter days and lower temperatures and allows plants to conserve energy during the winter months.

• Make the planting hole at least three times the diameter of the root spread of bare rooted plants or the pot if container grown and 30cm in depth
• Fork over the base and sides of the hole to break through smeared surfaces and aid drainage, but do not dig over the base because the disturbed soil will settle, resulting in the tree being too deep once planted
• When planting, the point where the roots flare out from the trunk should be level with the surrounding soil
• Do not add organic matter to the planting hole as it decomposes causing the tree to sink
• It is vital to stake larger trees and those planted in exposed situations. Staking helps to anchor the roots while allowing the trunk to flex in the wind, which strengthens it

In some areas it is necessary to protect young trees from damage caused by rabbits or other animals. Damage is often caused in schools when the maintenance team mows around the base of the tree. Mowers or strimmers can cause ring-barking, which can lead to tree death. To help prevent this either surround the tree with a barrier of wire netting secured to stakes, place a tree guard around the tree trunk or if possible, leave a circle between 20-50cm from the base of the tree trunk of bare soil or

Bark is the outermost layer of woody plants (trees, shrubs and woody climbers). It is several cells thick and provides protection against physical damage, disease and environmental stresses. Bark comes in a wide variety of colours and patterns, and these can help gardeners when identifying plants. The fissures and crevices of bark on older plants also creates valuable habitat for many garden creatures as well as lichens and small plants.

Grasses and weeds compete with young trees for moisture,

To grow well, plants need a wide range of nutrients in various amounts, depending on the individual plant and its stage of growth. The three key plant nutrients usually derived from soil are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, while carbon, oxygen and hydrogen are absorbed from the air. Other vital soil nutrients include magnesium, calcium and sulphur. Most garden soils contain enough nutrients to promote healthy plant growth.

Mulch is a layer of material, at least 5cm (2in) thick, applied to the soil surface in late autumn to late winter (Nov-Feb). It is used to provide frost protection, improve plant growth by adding nutrients or increasing organic matter content, reducing water loss from the soil, for decorative purposes and suppressing weeds. Examples include well-rotted garden compost and manure, chipped bark, gravel, grit and slate chippings.

Mulching

Particularly during the first two seasons water thoroughly in dry spells to ensure that the water reaches the full depth of the root system. There is no need to apply fertiliser in the first growing season.

The forest provided primitive man with food, fuel and building material, affording him also protection against enemies and the elements. Humans have used wood to build houses and make furniture, construct household utensils, tools and vehicles.

Up until the eighteenth century, wood was the best source of heat and energy. Today metals, ceramics and plastics made by chemical processes have replaced wood. Every year the wood from our trees and forests give us millions of tonnes of paper, books and biofuels.

Trees are some of the largest organisms that have ever lived. Some giant redwoods are ten times heavier than a full-grown whale – but they have also dominated the dry land for more than 300 million years – far longer than the dinosaurs or mammals.

Trees are also extremely diverse, with many thousands of species living in a wide range of habitats. There are more than 80,000 species (from Arctic willows only a few cm high to giant redwoods that grow more than 100m tall). Forests cover more than 30% of dry land.

Largest tree

The largest tree in the world (between 2,300 to 2,700 years old, girth 33m, height 84m and estimated to weigh 2,100 tonnes) is a giant redwood (Sequoiadendron giganteum) called ‘General Sherman’ found in Sequoia National Park in California.

Tallest tree

The tallest tree is a coastal redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) in California. Its height is 115m, about the length of an average football pitch. It is 1,000 years old.

The tallest tree in Britain is the Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) in Argyll, Scotland. It measures over 83m tall. The

Deciduous refers to plants (mainly trees and shrubs) that lose their leaves seasonally, usually during autumn. This is a natural process triggered by the season's shorter days and lower temperatures and allows plants to conserve energy during the winter months.

Oldest tree

A Great Basin bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva), known as ‘Old Methuselah’, in the White Mountains of California has been shown to be 4,767 years old. The oldest tree in Britain is a common yew (Taxus baccata) AGM in Fortingall, Scotland, which it has been reported is between 2,000 to 5,000 years old.

All these trees are

A native plant is one that originated or arrived naturally in a particular place without human involvement. In the British Isles, native plants are those that were here during the last ice age or have arrived unaided since.

Those with an asterisk (*) beside them are smaller species that can also be used for hedges.

Common alder (Alnus glutinosa)
Common beechagus (Fagus sylvatica)* can get tall as a tree but is good for hedging
Downy birch (Betula pubescens)
Common elder (Sambucus nigra)
Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)
Sessile oak (Quercus petraea)
Common hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)
Common ash (Fraxinus excelsior)
Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa)*
Silver birch (Betula pendula)
Hazel (Corylus avellana)*
Field maple (Acer campestre)*
Common oak (Quercus robur)
Common holly (Ilex aquifolium)*
Common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)*