Water-retaining trees
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Top priority
Beech (Fagus spp.)
Best temperate climate tree for water retention.
Advantages:
very powerful root system;
thick forest litter;
rapid formation of humus;
high soil permeability;
minimal erosion;
stable microclimate;
gradual evaporation of moisture.
Particularly effective on medium mountain slopes.
Linden (Tilia spp.)
Advantages:
huge leaf mass;
calcium-rich litter;
rapid formation of humus;
excellent moisture retention;
earthworm nutrition;
improving soil structure.
Maple (Acer spp.)
Advantages:
powerful superficial root network;
high rate of humus formation;
good leaf fall;
reduction of surface runoff.
Ash (Ash spp.)
Advantages:
deep roots;
very fast decomposition of leaves;
high biological activity of the soil;
excellent water penetration.
Fir (Abies spp.)
The best coniferous tree for moisture accumulation.
Advantages:
the dense crown retains snow;
deep shadow;
stable soil moisture;
slow evaporation.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very high priority
Ale
Particularly useful:
on the cold northern slopes;
in the upper part of the catchment area.
Advantages:
snow retention;
soil protection;
decrease in wind speed.
Disadvantage:
In monocultures, the soil can become acidic.
Larch
Advantages:
deep roots;
retention of rocky slopes;
high stability.
Elm
Advantages:
powerful roots;
strengthening of ravines;
increased infiltration.
Alder
Particularly important along:
streams;
rivers;
springs.
Advantages:
nitrogen fixation;
rapid soil restoration;
strengthening of the banks.
⭐⭐⭐ High priority
Oak
Advantages:
deep roots;
durability;
accumulation of organic matter;
drought resistance.
Willows
Best trees for:
springs;
floodplains;
banks;
temporary streams.
Advantages:
quickly consolidate the soil;
prevent erosion.
Poplar
Useful:
in floodplains;
along the riverbeds.
It is better to use local species.
Birch
A good pioneer.
Advantages:
quickly improves the soil;
inhabits degraded territories.
⭐⭐ Medium priority
Chestnut
Walnut
Merry
Wild apple tree
Wild pear
Rowan
They support biodiversity and fruiting rather than being primary hydrological species.
For dry mountains
Best views:
cedar pines;
black pine;
junipers;
carob;
holm oak;
tamarisk;
olive.