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Back to Key. Next (A).. (B).. (C).. (D-F).. (G-I).. (L-O).. (P).. (Q-R).. (S).. (T-Z).

Checklist of plants suitable for hedging and windbreaks: A

Botanical name Common name Deciduous/ Evergreen Height Growth rate Hardiness Wind Notes
Acer campestre Field Maple D M-T M 4   Most soils. Leaves preserve fruit. Medicinal.
Ailanthus altissima Tree of heaven D T F 6   Tolerates most soils and conditions including pollution. Insect repellant, medicinal, soil stabilization, yellow dye. Leaves are said to be edible but slightly toxic.
Alnus glutinosa Alder D M-T F 3 M Prefers a moist soil. Ink ,dyes, tannin, medicinal.
Amelanchier canadensis Juneberry D M-T M-F 4 W Moist well drained lime free soil, sunny position. Edible fruit.
Arundo donax Giant reed Grass M-T F 6   Moist soil esp by water. Edible rhizome. Basketry, plant supports, erosion control, medicinal.
Atriplex canescens Salt bush E M-T M 7 M Well drained soil in full sun. Resists fire. Edible leaves-salty. Edible seed.
Atriplex halimus Salt bush E M M 8 M As above.
Aucuba japonica Spotted laurel E M M 7 M Most soils sun or shade. Tolerates smoke. Leaves are said to be a famine food.

KEY

D = Deciduous E = Evergreen

Height:- S = Small (to 4ft for hedges, 20ft for trees.) M = Medium (to 6ft for hedges, 50ft for trees.) T = Tall (over 6ft for hedges, over 50ft for trees.)

Rate of Growth:- S = Slow M = Medium F = Fast

Wind Resistance:- W = tolerates Windy sites M = tolerates Maritime exposure

Hardiness zones 1(hardiest) to 10:- most of Britain is in zone 7 or 8 with some upland and northern areas being colder whilst western and southern coastal areas are milder.

Now available: PLANTS FOR YOUR FOOD FOREST: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.

An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.

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