Four favourites to consider

Hawthorn

The farmer’s favourite because it makes the perfect prickly, cow-proof hedge. It can be cut back again and again, so is easy to keep bush-sized, but if left to grow to full size becomes a good small tree. Its milky-white blossom is an important nectar source for insects in spring, while birds love the shiny red fruit, or haws. In between times hundreds of different insects browse on its leaves, including the caterpillars of moths like the orchard ermine, the vapourer and the light emerald. H: Up to 10m (33ft).

Holly

Grows as a medium-sized understorey tree in many woodlands, doing well despite the shade cast by the canopy. Birds will eat holly berries, and it’s also a food source for invertebrates, including the caterpillars of the holly blue butterfly. H: Up to 25m (82ft).

Field maple

A common hedgerow tree in southern England and the Midlands. Its leaves are pinky-red, then they go dark green before turning a striking golden-yellow in autumn. Insects feed on its flowers, while small rodents eat the tree’s winged seeds in autumn. H: Up to 8m (26ft).

Hazel

A great wildlife-garden species, which can be coppiced to close to ground level every third year. Home-grown hazelnuts are a treat, but local squirrels, woodpeckers and nuthatches may well get to them before you do. H: Up to 5m (16½ft).