Printed from: https://finalhbks.asgoodasready.com/woodlands/planting-and-early-care/
Planting a small tree is not a difficult or time consuming job, but ensuring that the young tree thrives requires care and attention to detail. The young tree must be kept free of weeds for at least three years, and protected against browsing and other damage. Trees and shrubs of local provenance should be used where these are obtainable.
Trees should not be planted in ancient semi-natural woodlands or other woodlands of ecological value, where natural regeneration should be used as a way of perpetuating the woodland. In general, trees should only be planted within existing woodlands where there is a need to change the species composition, for example from introduced species to a more natural mix of native species, or where commercial objectives require replanting.
Trees should not be planted on unwooded areas of high conservation value, including wet grasslands, chalk downland or heathland.
The use of natural regeneration should be considered on all sites where the aim is woodland cover.