Avoiding early onset of death caused by disease or climate change will affect the trees we plant in the future. Gardeners must consider tree selection carefully bearing in mind more than aesthetics and utility. Economics of forestry have increased there relevance to Britain as (the dreaded by some) Brexit nears. We import and export more wood than in previous years but with those extra tree miles comes risks. Toxins pests and disease are to readily spread from one country to another. CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is designed to protect over-exploitation and endangerment  through international trade.

Some of the most reliable trees to plant with a view to them reaching maturity even if not in my life time include:

Tulip Tree Liriodendron tulipifera

American Sweetgum Liquidambar stryraciflua

Evergreen Oak Quercus ilex also Pin Oak and Chestnut leaved oak

Silver Lime Tilia tomentosa

Sweet Chestnut Castaneasativa

Hornbeam Carpinus

Dawn Redwood Metasequoia

Wedding cake tree Cornus controversa

Trees That Produce Hard Tough Wood

• Janka is the basic measure of hardness for a sample of wood. The toughest tree is  an ironwood tree which is native to Australia.
• Lignum vitae is so hard it was used to make policemen’s truncheons
• Ebony and Brazilian Olivewood have tightly packed grain making up the hardness.
• Snakewood is an exotic hardwood which is particularly prized for it’s decorative grain
• Other hard woods common in Britain include mahogany, maple, oak, and teak.
• Tropical pear, cashew and walnut are hard hardwoods.