Only indirectly related, but of interest to anyone concerned with trees (in any capacity from tree management to lay admirer), are these lists of species which Network Rail accept for planting near to the line, and those that they do not:
Network Rail Biodiversity Action Plan said:
Possible species for planting >5m from the outside rail
Field maple
Downy birch
Hazel
Midland thorn
Common hawthorn
Broom
Heather
Alder buckthorn
Ivy
Sea buckthorn
Holly
Juniper
Wild privet
Honeysuckle
Crab Apple
Blackthorn
Wild pear
Buckthorn
Field rose
Dog rose
Bramble
Elder
Whitebeam
Rowan
Wild service tree
Yew
Gorse
Wayfaring tree
Guelder Rose
Network Rail Biodiversity Action Plan said:
Possible species for planting >10m from the outside rail
Alder
Silver birch
Hornbeam
Beech
Walnut
Scots pine
Aspen
Wild cherry
Bird cherry
Sessile oak
Common oak
Wych elm
English elm
Network Rail Biodiversity Action Plan said:
Species that should NOT be planted
Sycamore
Horse chestnut
Sweet chestnut
Ash
Black poplar
Lombardy poplar
Small-leaved lime
Large-leaved lime
Common lime
I might have expected not to see Elder proposed for sites close to the line.
And all this reminds me that I was surprised, during a diversion via Cambridge of my regular travel between Newcastle and London, at the variation in techniques in coppicing trees across the country.
I have been aware for some time of the regional variations in styles of hedge-laying (or more to the point, the lack of), which can be seen on train journeys, but its only in winter that the choices in coppicing are so apparent.