Choosing the right species of tree and shrub is very important in urban areas where there are restrictions on space. Where possible, always use native species. Below is a list of the trees and shrubs native to Ireland, and advice on the locations to which they are suited.
|
Common name |
Latin name |
Height (max) |
Suit- able for public open spaces |
Suitable for streets and confined spaces |
Suitable for tubs, containers, raised beds etc. |
Guide to planting: see key below |
|
Alder |
Alnus glutinosa |
22m |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
ADPS |
|
Alder buckthorn |
Frangula alnus |
6m |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
D |
|
Arbutus (strawberry tree) |
Arbutus unedo |
8m |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Not frost hardy |
|
Ash |
Fraxinus excelsior |
28m |
Yes |
No |
No |
ADIPS |
|
Aspen |
Populus tremula |
24m |
Yes |
No |
No |
DPSV Not close to buildings or any services |
|
Bird cherry |
Prunus padus |
14m |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
P |
|
Bramble |
Rubus fructicosus |
2m |
No |
No |
No |
C/H note: tends to be invasive |
|
Broom |
Cytisus scoparius |
2m |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
* |
|
Burnet rose |
Rosa pimpinellifolia |
2m |
Yes |
No |
Yes, but vigorous |
C/H |
|
Common (or European) gorse |
Ulex europeaus |
2.5m |
Yes |
No |
In a rural setting |
HV |
|
Crab apple |
Malus sylvestris |
6m |
Yes |
No |
No |
AHIP |
|
Dog rose |
Rosa canina |
2m |
Yes |
No |
Yes. Vigorous |
C/H |
|
Downy birch |
Betual pubescens |
18m |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
ADIP |
|
Elder |
Sambucus nigra |
6m |
In Hedge |
No |
No |
V |
|
Guelder rose |
Viburnum opulus |
4.5m |
Yes |
No |
No |
DH |
|
Hawthorn |
Crataegus monogyna |
9m |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
AHIPS |
|
Hazel |
Corylus avellana |
6m |
Yes |
No |
No |
AHS |
|
Holly |
Ilex aquifolium |
15m |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
AHPS |
|
Honeysuckle |
Lonicera periclymenum |
climber |
Yes |
On walls |
No |
C |
|
Ivy |
Hedera helix |
climber |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
C |
|
Common name |
Latin name |
Height (max) |
Suit-able for public open spaces |
Suitable for streets and confined spaces |
Suitable for tubs, containers, raised beds etc. |
Guide to planting: see key below |
|
Juniper |
Juniperus communis |
6m |
Yes |
No |
No |
S |
|
Pedunculate oak |
Quercus robur |
30m |
Yes |
No |
No |
AI only suitable for large spaces |
|
Privet |
Ligustrum vulgare |
3m |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Purging buckthorn |
Rhamnus cathartica |
4.5m |
No |
No |
No |
AHPV |
|
Rowan or mountain ash |
Sorbus aucuparia |
9m |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
ADHIP |
|
Scots pine |
Pinus sylvestris |
24m |
Yes |
No |
No |
AI |
|
Sessile oak |
Quercus petraea |
30m |
Yes |
No |
No |
AI only suitable for large spaces |
|
Silver birch |
Betula pendula |
18m |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
ADIP |
|
Sloe, blackthorn |
Prunus spinosa |
3m |
Yes |
No |
No |
AHPV |
|
Spindle |
Euonymous europaeus |
7.5m |
Yes |
No |
No |
H |
|
Western (or mountain) gorse |
Ulex gallii |
1.5m |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
* |
|
Whitebeam spp. |
Sorbus aria/ S. anglica/S. devoniensis /S.hibernica/S. latifolia/S. rupicola |
12m |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
IPS |
|
Wild cherry |
Prunus avium |
15m |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
AHI |
|
Willow spp. |
Salix spp. |
6m |
Some |
No |
No |
V Not suitable near buildings or services |
|
Wych elm |
Ulmus glabr |
30m |
Yes |
|
No |
PS |
|
Yew |
Taxus baccata |
14m |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
AIPS |
Guide to Planting Key:
A – Grows in a wide variety of soils D – Tolerates or prefers damp conditions
C – Climber H – Suitable for hedging
I – Suitable as an individual tree P – Tolerates smoke or pollution
S – Tolerates shade V – Invasive
* - Tolerates dry conditions
