The dataset contains information from 234 trees at six sites across the UK collected in 2018. The tree species studied were Acer pseudoplatanus (sycamore), Castanea sativa (sweet chestnut), Fagus sylvatica (beech), Fraxinus excelsior (common ash), Quercus cerris (Turkey oak), Q. petraea (sessile oak), Q. robur (pedunculate oak), Q. rubra (red oak) and Tilia x europaea (common lime). The presence of all lichens and bryophyte species on the trunk to a height of 1.75m were recorded in addition to the presence of the lichens on branches and twigs where these were accessible. The bark characteristics recorded were bark pH, ridge and furrow width, furrow depth, hardness, water holding capacity and the bark patterning. The soil variables studied were: nitrogen mineralization and decomposition rate, total soil carbon and nitrogen, loss on ignition, soil pH and soil temperature. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy data from the soil samples is also presented along with data on site location and the habitat characteristics surrounding the sampled trees. Full details about this dataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/f539567f-a8cd-482e-89b8-64a951b52d93

This dataset contains a list of all known birds, bryophytes, fungi, invertebrates, lichens and mammals that use oak (Quercus petraea and Quercus robur) in the UK. In total 2300 species are listed in the dataset. For each species we provide a level of association with oak, ranging from obligate (only found on oak) to cosmopolitan (found on a wide range of other tree species). Data on the ecology of each oak associated species is provided: part of tree used, use made of tree (feeding, roosting, breeding), age of tree, woodland type, tree form (coppice, pollarded, or natural growth form) and season when the tree was used. Data on use or otherwise by each of the 2300 species of 30 other alternative tree species (Acer campestre, Acer pseudoplatanus, Alnus glutinosa, Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, Carpinus betulus, Castanea sativa, Fagus sylvatica, Fraxinus excelsior, Ilex aquifolium, Larix spp, Malus sylvestris, Picea abies, Pinus nigra ssp. laricio, Pinus sylvestris, Populus tremula, Prunus avium, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Quercus cerris, Quercus rubra, Sorbus aria, Sorbus aucuparia, Sorbus torminalis, Taxus baccata, Thuja plicata, Tilia cordata, Tilia platyphyllos, Tilia vulgaris, Tsuga heterophylla, Ulmus glabra) was also collated. A complete list of data sources is provided. Full details about this dataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/22b3d41e-7c35-4c51-9e55-0f47bb845202