English oak is probably the most beneficial tree to native wildlife we have, supporting thousands of species, including insects, birds and mammals.
Alder has been planted in the wetter areas, an environment it prefers.
Sweet chestnut, although only “recently native”, provides a useful wood crop and should be more resistant to future climate change and disease than other native species.
Planting took place in areas shown to have been ancient woodlands previously. This can be identified by the presence of large numbers of ancient woodland indicator species growing, for example, dog mercury, bluebells and wood avens.