Best trees for attracting night-flying insects

Why night-flying insects deserve your attention

When the sun sets over a British woodland, a hidden shift begins. Moths, beetles, lacewings and craneflies emerge, and with them come bats, owls and nightjars. These nocturnal insects are not just a curiosity; they pollinate flowers, break down organic matter and feed the food web. If you want to stargaze from a woodland edge, you will find that the darker the sky, the more you notice the flutter of wings around you. The best way to invite that nightlife in is to plant the right trees – and to leave a little wildness where you can.

The best native trees for a nocturnal banquet

Native trees have evolved alongside our moths and other night-flying insects for thousands of years. Three groups stand out for the sheer number of species they support: oaks, birches and willows. Plant them in a sunny, sheltered spot and you will be rewarded with a dusk chorus of rustling leaves and probing proboscises.

• Oak (Quercus robur and Q. petraea) – A single mature oak can host over 280 species of moth caterpillar. Look for the oak beauty, brindled beauty and the spectacular puss moth. Oaks also produce catkins in spring that attract early-flying moths.
• Birch (Betula pendula and B. pubescens) – Birch supports around 230 species, including the peppered moth and the striking sallow kitten. Its lightweight seeds and quick growth make it ideal for new woodland edges.
• Willow (Salix caprea, S. cinerea and S. fragilis) – Willows are a magnet for night-flying insects. Goat willow and grey willow produce early catkins that feed moths waking from hibernation. The herald moth and the lunar hornet moth both rely on willow.

Other valuable natives include field maple, hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel, aspen and alder buckthorn – the latter is the sole foodplant for the brimstone butterfly caterpillar, though its night-flying moths are equally impressive.

Diversity beats monoculture every time

A row of identical trees is a poor larder. Different moths fly at different times, and their caterpillars have distinct tastes. By planting a mix of species, you stagger the supply of leaves, catkins and nectar across the year.

• Early spring: sallow and willow catkins, plus early birch leaves, feed moths emerging from winter dormancy.
• Midsummer: oak, birch and field maple leaves support the main brood of caterpillars, whilst nearby honeysuckle and ivy provide nectar for adults.
• Late summer and autumn: ivy flowers are a vital late nectar source, and fallen leaves and deadwood harbour larvae and pupae.

If you have space for only a few trees, choose at least three different native species. A small grove of oak, birch and willow will outperform a larger block of a single kind.

Deadwood and woodland edges: the messy bits that matter

Night-flying insects need more than living leaves. Standing dead trees, fallen logs and thick leaf litter are nursery grounds for beetles, flies and moths. Where safety allows – away from paths, buildings and roads – leave deadwood in place. A decaying birch trunk can host the larvae of the goat moth for several years. Woodland edges are especially rich because they offer shelter, dappled shade and a mix of plant ages. A scalloped edge, with grassy tussocks and bramble patches, creates humid microclimates that moths love. Resist the urge to tidy every corner. A pile of prunings left to rot will soon be alive with insects.

Practical planting and aftercare for a night-friendly wood

Plant bare-root native trees between November and March, when the soil is damp and growth is dormant. Choose small whips (60–90cm) – they establish faster than larger specimens. Space them 2–3 metres apart if you want a dense thicket, or 4–5 metres for a more open grove. Water well in the first two summers, and mulch with leaf mould or well-rotted woodchip to keep weeds down. Protect trunks from rabbits and deer with spiral guards or a brushwood fence.

• Plant in groups of three to five of each species, so moths can move between them.
• Create a scalloped woodland edge facing south or west to catch the last warmth of the day.
• Leave a strip of long grass and native wildflowers – knapweed, oxeye daisy and red clover – for adult moths to nectar on.
• Avoid all pesticides. Even organic sprays can harm caterpillars and other nocturnal insects.

Stargazing and moth-watching: a shared pleasure

The best nights for stargazing – clear, still and moonless – are also excellent for moth-watching. Set up a white sheet between two trees and shine a torch on it, or use a low-wattage bulb. Within an hour you may see dozens of species, from tiny micro-moths to large hawkmoths. Use a red-filtered torch to check your field guide without ruining your night vision. And remember: the trees you plant today will shape the night sky for decades. An oak grown from a local acorn will feed generations of moths long after you have hung up your binoculars. So plant diversely, leave deadwood where it is safe, and let the woodland edge grow a little wild. The rewards arrive after dark, under the stars.