Nearly all of the trees and shrubs on the Wildlife Site are deciduous but there are a few evergreen conifers, planted about 20 years ago, that provide year-round cover for birds.
A small group of Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) were planted at the end of Downlee Lodge orchard, as a wind break. Western Red Cedar is native to North America where it grows to great age (2000 years) and height (up to 70m). The foliage of the relatively young trees at Downlee Lodge provides dense cover for wildlife, down to ground level.
There are two Himalayan Cedar (Cedrus deodara) in Wooded Field Corners W3 and W4, see the Maps. This tree is native to the Himalayas where it grows at high altitude (up to 3000m). They are large trees that may eventually grow to become up to 50m tall.
A single Norway Spruce (Picea abies), the much-loved Christmas Tree, was planted by a previous owner next to the drive at Downlee Lodge. Under the right conditions, this European native tree usually grows rapidly up to 20m and eventually up to 60m. The tree at Downlee Lodge is already tall and we have given up trying to put Christmas decoration lights on top of it. Wood pigeons have nested in its branches.
Photographs of Conifers
Click on the photograph for larger images and captions.
Further Information
For further information on the species in this group, please click the links below:
Western Red Cedar Himalayan Cedar Norway Spruce
