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  • Bighorn Sheep Ovis canadensis Shoulder height 90-100cm Stocky North American sheep, noted for the male's large horns.  Found in mountain ranges of western North America.
    133613.jpg
  • Bighorn Sheep Ovis canadensis Shoulder height 90-100cm Stocky North American sheep, noted for the male's large horns.  Found in mountain ranges of western North America.
    133614.jpg
  • Northern White Cedar Thuja occidentalis (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 20m. Broadly conical tree. BARK Orange-brown, peeling in vertical strips. LEAVES Flattened, fern-like sprays of foliage show white, waxy bands below. Crushed leaves smell of apple and cloves. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones recall those of Western Red Cedar; female cones have rounded tips to cone scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America. Does not thrive here.
    134666.jpg
  • Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii Pinaceae Height to 60m<br />
Tall, slender, conical evergreen. Bark Greyish-green, often blistered. Branches in whorls. Needles to 3.5cm long, grooved above, with 2 white bands below. Reproductive parts Male flowers small and yellow. Female flowers resemble tiny pinkish shaving-brushes. Both sexes grow at tips of twigs. Status Native of W North America. Widely planted here for timber; thrives in Scotland.
    125345.jpg
  • Sugar Maple Acer saccharum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 26m <br />
Similar to Norway Maple. BARK Has large fissures and falls away in shreds in older trees. BRANCHES Upright to spreading. LEAVES 13cm-long leaves are lobed, but teeth on lobes are rounded, not drawn out into a fine point as in Norway Maple; there are hairs in vein axils below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Pendulous yellow-green flowers are small and lack petals; open in spring with leaves. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America, planted here for its autumn colours.
    134188.jpg
  • American Wigeon - Mareca americana - Male in flight. Each autumn, a scattering of genuinely wild ducks from North America arrive here, blown in by Atlantic gales. Typically they associate with their most similar European counterparts. American Wigeon Anas americana (L 48-55cm) is similar to Wigeon but males have a green eyestripe, creamy white forehead and crown, and speckled grey face.
    154282.jpg
  • Scarlet Oak Quercus coccinea (Fagaceae) HEIGHT to 28m<br />
Rather slender, domed tree. BARK Dark greyish-brown, smooth in young trees, ridged with maturity. BRANCHES Slender and spreading. LEAVES 15cm-long, even more deeply lobed than Pin Oak but less strongly bristle-tipped. In summer, leaves are glossy green above and paler below with small hair-tufts in vein axils below. Turn brilliant red in autumn, especially in cultivar Q. coccinea ‘Splendens’. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Acorns, to 2.5cm long, are rounded, half-enclosed in a slightly glossy cup. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America. Planted here for its brilliant autumn colours.
    135434.jpg
  • Red Ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica (Oleaceae) HEIGHT to 25m <br />
Similar to Common Ash but generally smaller. BARK Deeply furrowed, reddish-brown. BRANCHES Stout with hairy twigs and brown winter buds. LEAVES Opposite, pinnate, to 22cm long with 7, rarely 9, oval, pointed leaflets. Each leaflet to 15cm long, toothed and pointed, 2 sides of blade not matching on petiole; undersides are usually hairy. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers open before leaves in hairy clusters in leaf axils; sexes usually on separate trees. Male flowers are red and female flowers are greenish. Both sexes of flowers lack petals, but female flowers have 4 sepals. Single-winged fruits are up to 6cm long. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America, introduced into Britain and Ireland as an ornamental tree, but nowhere very common.
    135217.jpg
  • Scarlet Oak Quercus coccinea (Fagaceae) HEIGHT to 28m<br />
Rather slender, domed tree. BARK Dark greyish-brown, smooth in young trees, ridged with maturity. BRANCHES Slender and spreading. LEAVES 15cm-long, even more deeply lobed than Pin Oak but less strongly bristle-tipped. In summer, leaves are glossy green above and paler below with small hair-tufts in vein axils below. Turn brilliant red in autumn, especially in cultivar Q. coccinea ‘Splendens’. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Acorns, to 2.5cm long, are rounded, half-enclosed in a slightly glossy cup. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America. Planted here for its brilliant autumn colours.
    135165.jpg
  • Pin Oak Quercus palustris (Fagaceae) HEIGHT to 26m <br />
Broadly conical deciduous tree with a short bole. BARK Smooth and grey-brown. BRANCHES Numerous, mostly ascending. LEAVES Distinctive: to 12cm long and deeply lobed with bristles at tips of pointed lobes. In summer, leaves are glossy green on both surfaces, palest below; tufts of brownish hairs in vein axils. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male catkins pendulous, yellowish, opening in early summer. Acorns, to 1.5cm long, partially enclosed in shallow scaly cup. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America. Introduced here for ornament.
    135074.jpg
  • Shagbark Hickory  Carya ovata (Juglandaceae) HEIGHT to 20m. Upright or slightly spreading tree with a broad, flattened crown. BARK Grey, splits into long scaly flakes. BRANCHES In winter, sparse branches support reddish twigs tipped with scaly buds. LEAVES Compound, 5 (sometimes 3 or 7) leaflets, to 20cm long, longer near tip of leaf. Each leaflet is oval to oblong, toothed, with tufts of short white hairs between teeth. Terminal leaflet is short-stalked. Leaves leathery, sometimes oily. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male catkins green, to 15cm long, in spreading clusters. Female flowers small, yellowish, in terminal clusters. Fruits round, to 6cm long, on short stalks; contain white seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America, planted here occasionally.
    135066.jpg
  • Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii Pinaceae Height to 60m<br />
Tall, slender, conical evergreen. Bark Greyish-green, often blistered. Branches in whorls. Needles to 3.5cm long, grooved above, with 2 white bands below. Reproductive parts Male flowers small and yellow. Female flowers resemble tiny pinkish shaving-brushes. Both sexes grow at tips of twigs. Status Native of W North America. Widely planted here for timber; thrives in Scotland.
    134992.jpg
  • Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii Pinaceae Height to 60m<br />
Tall, slender, conical evergreen. Bark Greyish-green, often blistered. Branches in whorls. Needles to 3.5cm long, grooved above, with 2 white bands below. Reproductive parts Male flowers small and yellow. Female flowers resemble tiny pinkish shaving-brushes. Both sexes grow at tips of twigs. Status Native of W North America. Widely planted here for timber; thrives in Scotland.
    134993.jpg
  • Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii Pinaceae Height to 60m<br />
Tall, slender, conical evergreen. Bark Greyish-green, often blistered. Branches in whorls. Needles to 3.5cm long, grooved above, with 2 white bands below. Reproductive parts Male flowers small and yellow. Female flowers resemble tiny pinkish shaving-brushes. Both sexes grow at tips of twigs. Status Native of W North America. Widely planted here for timber; thrives in Scotland.
    134991.jpg
  • Californian Laurel Umbellularia californica (Lauraceae) HEIGHT to 20m. Dense evergreen with a domed crown and similar foliage to Bay. BARK Grey and cracked. BRANCHES Much-divided. LEAVES Similar to Bay but typically narrower and paler green or yellowish-green. Crushed leaves give off a stronger scent than those of Bay, which can induce painful headaches and nausea in some people. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish flowers grow in small, dense, rounded clusters and fruits are rounded and greenish, ripening to purple. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of W coast of North America, cultivated in milder parts of our region where some fine trees exist.
    134955.jpg
  • Western Hemlock-spruce Tsuga heterophylla (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 45m.  Large, narrowly conical evergreen with dense foliage; crown spire-like with drooping leading shoot. LEAVES Needles, dark glossy green above with 2 pale bands below, in 2 flattened rows on either side of shoot. Note, 2 leaf sizes (hence heterophylla): some 6mm long, others to 2cm long, both with rounded tips and toothed margins. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers reddish at first, but yellowing with pollen. Female cones solitary, ovoid and pendent, to 3cm long; scales blunt. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of W North America. Widely planted here and reaches a great size.
    134929.jpg
  • Western Hemlock-spruce Tsuga heterophylla (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 45m.  Large, narrowly conical evergreen with dense foliage; crown spire-like with drooping leading shoot. LEAVES Needles, dark glossy green above with 2 pale bands below, in 2 flattened rows on either side of shoot. Note, 2 leaf sizes (hence heterophylla): some 6mm long, others to 2cm long, both with rounded tips and toothed margins. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers reddish at first, but yellowing with pollen. Female cones solitary, ovoid and pendent, to 3cm long; scales blunt. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of W North America. Widely planted here and reaches a great size.
    134910.jpg
  • White Spruce Picea glauca (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 24m <br />
Narrowly conical evergreen, but broadening with maturity. BARK Purple-grey with roughly circular scales. BRANCHES Turn upwards at tips, bearing hairless, greyish twigs and blunt buds. LEAVES Pointed needles, 4-angled,to 1.3 cm long, pale green (sometimes bluish), and smelling unpleasantly to some when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Female cones are about 6cm long and 2cm across, cylindrical, pendent and orange-brown when ripe, with rounded margins to scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native northern North America, widely planted here for timber and ornament in Britain.
    134885.jpg
  • Ashleaf Maple (Box Elder) Acer negundo (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 20m <br />
Small but vigorous deciduous tree with numerous shoots growing from bole and main branches. BARK Smooth in young trees, replaced by darker, shallowly fissured bark in older trees. BRANCHES With green shoots and small buds that have only 2 whitish scales. LEAVES Pinnate, to 15cm long with 3 or sometimes up to 7 irregularly toothed oval leaflets. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers occur separately, opening in March before leaves. Petals are absent; male flowers are greenish with prominent red anthers, and female flowers are greenish-yellow and pendent. Brown fruits are about 2cm long with wings slightly spreading, remaining on tree after leaves have fallen. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America, commonly planted as an ornamental tree, and sometimes for shelter; sometimes naturalised.
    134881.jpg
  • Sugar Maple Acer saccharum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 26m <br />
Similar to Norway Maple. BARK Has large fissures and falls away in shreds in older trees. BRANCHES Upright to spreading. LEAVES 13cm-long leaves are lobed, but teeth on lobes are rounded, not drawn out into a fine point as in Norway Maple; there are hairs in vein axils below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Pendulous yellow-green flowers are small and lack petals; open in spring with leaves. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America, planted here for its autumn colours.
    134872.jpg
  • Silver Maple Acer saccharinum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
Broadly columnar tree with spreading crown; suckers freely. BARK Smooth, greyish but scaly with age. BRANCHES Numerous, slender and ascending with pendulous brownish twigs. LEAVES To 16cm long, deeply divided into 5 lobes with irregularly toothed margins, orange or red-tinted at first, green above later, but with silvery hairs below; petiole usually pink-tinged. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish-green flowers (no petals) in small short-stalked clusters of separate sexes in spring. Green, then brown, fruits are about 6cm long, with diverging wings and prominent veins. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America, planted here for ornament.
    134824.jpg
  • Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii Pinaceae Height to 60m<br />
Tall, slender, conical evergreen. Bark Greyish-green, often blistered. Branches in whorls. Needles to 3.5cm long, grooved above, with 2 white bands below. Reproductive parts Male flowers small and yellow. Female flowers resemble tiny pinkish shaving-brushes. Both sexes grow at tips of twigs. Status Native of W North America. Widely planted here for timber; thrives in Scotland.
    134776.jpg
  • Northern White Cedar Thuja occidentalis (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 20m. Broadly conical tree. BARK Orange-brown, peeling in vertical strips. LEAVES Flattened, fern-like sprays of foliage show white, waxy bands below. Crushed leaves smell of apple and cloves. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones recall those of Western Red Cedar; female cones have rounded tips to cone scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America. Does not thrive here.
    134714.jpg
  • Sitka Spruce Picea sitchensis Pinaceae Height to 52m<br />
Conical evergreen with spire-like crown and buttressed trunk. Bark Greyish-brown, scaly. Branches Ascending with pendent side-shoots. Needles To 3cm long, keeled, bright green above with 2 pale-blue bands below. Reproductive parts Female cones yellowish at first, becoming cylin¬drical and shiny pale brown. Status Native of W North America. Planted here for its lightweight, strong timber.
    134706.jpg
  • Sitka Spruce Picea sitchensis Pinaceae Height to 52m<br />
Conical evergreen with spire-like crown and buttressed trunk. Bark Greyish-brown, scaly. Branches Ascending with pendent side-shoots. Needles To 3cm long, keeled, bright green above with 2 pale-blue bands below. Reproductive parts Female cones yellowish at first, becoming cylin¬drical and shiny pale brown. Status Native of W North America. Planted here for its lightweight, strong timber.
    134704.jpg
  • Northern White Cedar Thuja occidentalis (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 20m. Broadly conical tree. BARK Orange-brown, peeling in vertical strips. LEAVES Flattened, fern-like sprays of foliage show white, waxy bands below. Crushed leaves smell of apple and cloves. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones recall those of Western Red Cedar; female cones have rounded tips to cone scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America. Does not thrive here.
    134608.jpg
  • Sassafras Sassafras albidum (Lauraceae) HEIGHT to 20m <br />
Medium-sized, columnar, deciduous tree. BARK Thick, reddish-brown, furrowed and aromatic bark. BRANCHES With thin, green shoots, particularly evident after leaf-fall. LEAVES Mostly elliptic and untoothed, to 15cm long and 10cm across, but sometimes with large lobes on either side. Upper surface is bright green and lower surface is bluish-green; leaves turn through yellow and orange to purple in autumn. Crushed leaves have a pleasing smell and to some they taste of orange and vanilla. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers are very small, greenish-yellow and without petals, growing in small clusters on separate plants and opening in the spring. Fruit is an ovoid berry, about 1cm long, ripening to a dark blue. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common native tree of E North America, growing in woods and thickets, and used as a raw ingredient for root beer and tea. Seen in Britain and Ireland in arboreta and well-established gardens.
    134478.jpg
  • Sassafras Sassafras albidum (Lauraceae) HEIGHT to 20m <br />
Medium-sized, columnar, deciduous tree. BARK Thick, reddish-brown, furrowed and aromatic bark. BRANCHES With thin, green shoots, particularly evident after leaf-fall. LEAVES Mostly elliptic and untoothed, to 15cm long and 10cm across, but sometimes with large lobes on either side. Upper surface is bright green and lower surface is bluish-green; leaves turn through yellow and orange to purple in autumn. Crushed leaves have a pleasing smell and to some they taste of orange and vanilla. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers are very small, greenish-yellow and without petals, growing in small clusters on separate plants and opening in the spring. Fruit is an ovoid berry, about 1cm long, ripening to a dark blue. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common native tree of E North America, growing in woods and thickets, and used as a raw ingredient for root beer and tea. Seen in Britain and Ireland in arboreta and well-established gardens.
    134477.jpg
  • Red Ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica (Oleaceae) HEIGHT to 25m <br />
Similar to Common Ash but generally smaller. BARK Deeply furrowed, reddish-brown. BRANCHES Stout with hairy twigs and brown winter buds. LEAVES Opposite, pinnate, to 22cm long with 7, rarely 9, oval, pointed leaflets. Each leaflet to 15cm long, toothed and pointed, 2 sides of blade not matching on petiole; undersides are usually hairy. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers open before leaves in hairy clusters in leaf axils; sexes usually on separate trees. Male flowers are red and female flowers are greenish. Both sexes of flowers lack petals, but female flowers have 4 sepals. Single-winged fruits are up to 6cm long. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America, introduced into Britain and Ireland as an ornamental tree, but nowhere very common.
    133830.jpg
  • Red Ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica (Oleaceae) HEIGHT to 25m <br />
Similar to Common Ash but generally smaller. BARK Deeply furrowed, reddish-brown. BRANCHES Stout with hairy twigs and brown winter buds. LEAVES Opposite, pinnate, to 22cm long with 7, rarely 9, oval, pointed leaflets. Each leaflet to 15cm long, toothed and pointed, 2 sides of blade not matching on petiole; undersides are usually hairy. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers open before leaves in hairy clusters in leaf axils; sexes usually on separate trees. Male flowers are red and female flowers are greenish. Both sexes of flowers lack petals, but female flowers have 4 sepals. Single-winged fruits are up to 6cm long. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America, introduced into Britain and Ireland as an ornamental tree, but nowhere very common.
    133828.jpg
  • Red Ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica (Oleaceae) HEIGHT to 25m <br />
Similar to Common Ash but generally smaller. BARK Deeply furrowed, reddish-brown. BRANCHES Stout with hairy twigs and brown winter buds. LEAVES Opposite, pinnate, to 22cm long with 7, rarely 9, oval, pointed leaflets. Each leaflet to 15cm long, toothed and pointed, 2 sides of blade not matching on petiole; undersides are usually hairy. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers open before leaves in hairy clusters in leaf axils; sexes usually on separate trees. Male flowers are red and female flowers are greenish. Both sexes of flowers lack petals, but female flowers have 4 sepals. Single-winged fruits are up to 6cm long. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America, introduced into Britain and Ireland as an ornamental tree, but nowhere very common.
    133827.jpg
  • Red Ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica (Oleaceae) HEIGHT to 25m <br />
Similar to Common Ash but generally smaller. BARK Deeply furrowed, reddish-brown. BRANCHES Stout with hairy twigs and brown winter buds. LEAVES Opposite, pinnate, to 22cm long with 7, rarely 9, oval, pointed leaflets. Each leaflet to 15cm long, toothed and pointed, 2 sides of blade not matching on petiole; undersides are usually hairy. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers open before leaves in hairy clusters in leaf axils; sexes usually on separate trees. Male flowers are red and female flowers are greenish. Both sexes of flowers lack petals, but female flowers have 4 sepals. Single-winged fruits are up to 6cm long. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America, introduced into Britain and Ireland as an ornamental tree, but nowhere very common.
    133787.jpg
  • Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii Pinaceae Height to 60m<br />
Tall, slender, conical evergreen. Bark Greyish-green, often blistered. Branches in whorls. Needles to 3.5cm long, grooved above, with 2 white bands below. Reproductive parts Male flowers small and yellow. Female flowers resemble tiny pinkish shaving-brushes. Both sexes grow at tips of twigs. Status Native of W North America. Widely planted here for timber; thrives in Scotland.
    133282.jpg
  • Californian Laurel Umbellularia californica (Lauraceae) HEIGHT to 20m. Dense evergreen with a domed crown and similar foliage to Bay. BARK Grey and cracked. BRANCHES Much-divided. LEAVES Similar to Bay but typically narrower and paler green or yellowish-green. Crushed leaves give off a stronger scent than those of Bay, which can induce painful headaches and nausea in some people. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish flowers grow in small, dense, rounded clusters and fruits are rounded and greenish, ripening to purple. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of W coast of North America, cultivated in milder parts of our region where some fine trees exist.
    133006.jpg
  • Shagbark Hickory  Carya ovata (Juglandaceae) HEIGHT to 20m. Upright or slightly spreading tree with a broad, flattened crown. BARK Grey, splits into long scaly flakes. BRANCHES In winter, sparse branches support reddish twigs tipped with scaly buds. LEAVES Compound, 5 (sometimes 3 or 7) leaflets, to 20cm long, longer near tip of leaf. Each leaflet is oval to oblong, toothed, with tufts of short white hairs between teeth. Terminal leaflet is short-stalked. Leaves leathery, sometimes oily. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male catkins green, to 15cm long, in spreading clusters. Female flowers small, yellowish, in terminal clusters. Fruits round, to 6cm long, on short stalks; contain white seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America, planted here occasionally.
    132948.jpg
  • Shagbark Hickory  Carya ovata (Juglandaceae) HEIGHT to 20m. Upright or slightly spreading tree with a broad, flattened crown. BARK Grey, splits into long scaly flakes. BRANCHES In winter, sparse branches support reddish twigs tipped with scaly buds. LEAVES Compound, 5 (sometimes 3 or 7) leaflets, to 20cm long, longer near tip of leaf. Each leaflet is oval to oblong, toothed, with tufts of short white hairs between teeth. Terminal leaflet is short-stalked. Leaves leathery, sometimes oily. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male catkins green, to 15cm long, in spreading clusters. Female flowers small, yellowish, in terminal clusters. Fruits round, to 6cm long, on short stalks; contain white seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America, planted here occasionally.
    132949.jpg
  • Silver Maple Acer saccharinum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
Broadly columnar tree with spreading crown; suckers freely. BARK Smooth, greyish but scaly with age. BRANCHES Numerous, slender and ascending with pendulous brownish twigs. LEAVES To 16cm long, deeply divided into 5 lobes with irregularly toothed margins, orange or red-tinted at first, green above later, but with silvery hairs below; petiole usually pink-tinged. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish-green flowers (no petals) in small short-stalked clusters of separate sexes in spring. Green, then brown, fruits are about 6cm long, with diverging wings and prominent veins. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America, planted here for ornament.
    132914.jpg
  • Northern White Cedar Thuja occidentalis (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 20m. Broadly conical tree. BARK Orange-brown, peeling in vertical strips. LEAVES Flattened, fern-like sprays of foliage show white, waxy bands below. Crushed leaves smell of apple and cloves. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones recall those of Western Red Cedar; female cones have rounded tips to cone scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America. Does not thrive here.
    132865.jpg
  • Red Maple Acer rubrum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 23m <br />
Fast-growing, spreading tree with an irregular crown.BARK Grey and smooth. BRANCHES Mostly ascending, but arch outwards. LEAVES To 10cm long and almost as wide, with 3–5 toothed lobes less than half the leaf width; red-tinged above at first, greener later, and silvery below, with a red petiole. Turn various shades of red and yellow in autumn. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS small red flowers in dense clusters on thin pedicels, open in spring before leaves. Males and females are separate. Bright-red winged fruits are about 1cm long, the wings diverging at a narrow angle. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America, usually growing in damp habitats, grown here for its autumn foliage.
    132824.jpg
  • Lodgepole Pine Pinus contorta (ssp. latifolia). Similar to Beach Pine (ssp. Pinaceae) Columnar with a less dense crown; usually grows on a much straighter, but sometimes divided trunk. Needles are broader than those of Beach Pine, and more spread apart. Grows in the mountains well inland away from sea. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS All trees have male flowers in dense clusters near the tips of shoots. Female flowers grow in groups of up to 4 close to the tip of the shoot. Cones are rounded to ovoid, up to 6cm long and 3cm in diameter, and usually a shiny yellow-brown. Each cone scale has a slender, sharp tip, which easily breaks off.<br />
STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to coastal western North America, widely planted here for timber on poor soils and exposed, often upland, sites.
    132800.jpg
  • Tupelo (Black Gum) Nyssa sylvatica (Nyssaceae) HEIGHT to 25m <br />
Broadly columnar deciduous tree. BARK Dark-grey, ridged with squarish plates. BRANCHES Mostly level. LEAVES Ovate, to 15cm long and 8cm wide, tapering towards base. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Dioecious, to 1.5cm across with downy stalks to 3cm long. Male flowers in dense, rounded clusters, female flowers clusters of up to 4 flowers. Fruit is about 2cm long, egg-shaped and bluish-black. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America, grown here for its exciting yellow, orange and red autumn colours. Favours warm, sheltered areas.
    132769.jpg
  • Sassafras Sassafras albidum (Lauraceae) HEIGHT to 20m <br />
Medium-sized, columnar, deciduous tree. BARK Thick, reddish-brown, furrowed and aromatic bark. BRANCHES With thin, green shoots, particularly evident after leaf-fall. LEAVES Mostly elliptic and untoothed, to 15cm long and 10cm across, but sometimes with large lobes on either side. Upper surface is bright green and lower surface is bluish-green; leaves turn through yellow and orange to purple in autumn. Crushed leaves have a pleasing smell and to some they taste of orange and vanilla. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers are very small, greenish-yellow and without petals, growing in small clusters on separate plants and opening in the spring. Fruit is an ovoid berry, about 1cm long, ripening to a dark blue. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common native tree of E North America, growing in woods and thickets, and used as a raw ingredient for root beer and tea. Seen in Britain and Ireland in arboreta and well-established gardens.
    132643.jpg
  • Silver Maple Acer saccharinum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
Broadly columnar tree with spreading crown; suckers freely. BARK Smooth, greyish but scaly with age. BRANCHES Numerous, slender and ascending with pendulous brownish twigs. LEAVES To 16cm long, deeply divided into 5 lobes with irregularly toothed margins, orange or red-tinted at first, green above later, but with silvery hairs below; petiole usually pink-tinged. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish-green flowers (no petals) in small short-stalked clusters of separate sexes in<br />
spring. Green, then brown, fruits are about 6cm long, with diverging wings and prominent veins. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America, planted here for ornament.
    132603.jpg
  • Silver Maple Acer saccharinum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
Broadly columnar tree with spreading crown; suckers freely. BARK Smooth, greyish but scaly with age. BRANCHES Numerous, slender and ascending with pendulous brownish twigs. LEAVES To 16cm long, deeply divided into 5 lobes with irregularly toothed margins, orange or red-tinted at first, green above later, but with silvery hairs below; petiole usually pink-tinged. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish-green flowers (no petals) in small short-stalked clusters of separate sexes in<br />
spring. Green, then brown, fruits are about 6cm long, with diverging wings and prominent veins. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America, planted here for ornament.
    132602.jpg
  • Scarlet Oak Quercus coccinea (Fagaceae) HEIGHT to 28m<br />
Rather slender, domed tree. BARK Dark greyish-brown, smooth in young trees, ridged with maturity. BRANCHES Slender and spreading. LEAVES 15cm-long, even more deeply lobed than Pin Oak but less strongly bristle-tipped. In summer, leaves are glossy green above and paler below with small hair-tufts in vein axils below. Turn brilliant red in autumn, especially in cultivar Q. coccinea ‘Splendens’. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Acorns, to 2.5cm long, are rounded, half-enclosed in a slightly glossy cup. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America. Planted here for its brilliant autumn colours.
    132548.jpg
  • White Ash Fraxinus americana (Oleaceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
Broadly columnar deciduous tree. BARK Grey-brown, intricately ridged. BRANCHES Upright, with straight shoots. LEAVES Leaflets smooth above and white beneath; blades do not continue down the petiole. Autumn colour is unreliable (in our region) but can be impressive, with purple-bronze leaves. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Similar to Ash. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to E North America, planted here occasionally.
    132283.jpg
  • White Ash Fraxinus americana (Oleaceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
Broadly columnar deciduous tree. BARK Grey-brown, intricately ridged. BRANCHES Upright, with straight shoots. LEAVES Leaflets smooth above and white beneath; blades do not continue down the petiole. Autumn colour is unreliable (in our region) but can be impressive, with purple-bronze leaves. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Similar to Ash. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to E North America, planted here occasionally.
    132259.jpg
  • White Ash Fraxinus americana (Oleaceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
Broadly columnar deciduous tree. BARK Grey-brown, intricately ridged. BRANCHES Upright, with straight shoots. LEAVES Leaflets smooth above and white beneath; blades do not continue down the petiole. Autumn colour is unreliable (in our region) but can be impressive, with purple-bronze leaves. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Similar to Ash. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to E North America, planted here occasionally.
    132257.jpg
  • White Ash Fraxinus americana (Oleaceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
Broadly columnar deciduous tree. BARK Grey-brown, intricately ridged. BRANCHES Upright, with straight shoots. LEAVES Leaflets smooth above and white beneath; blades do not continue down the petiole. Autumn colour is unreliable (in our region) but can be impressive, with purple-bronze leaves. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Similar to Ash. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to E North America, planted here occasionally.
    132258.jpg
  • Pin Oak Quercus palustris (Fagaceae) HEIGHT to 26m <br />
Broadly conical deciduous tree with a short bole. BARK Smooth and grey-brown. BRANCHES Numerous, mostly ascending. LEAVES Distinctive: to 12cm long and deeply lobed with bristles at tips of pointed lobes. In summer, leaves are glossy green on both surfaces, palest below; tufts of brownish hairs in vein axils. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male catkins pendulous, yellowish, opening in early summer. Acorns, to 1.5cm long, partially enclosed in shallow scaly cup. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America. Introduced here for ornament.
    132255.jpg
  • Western Hemlock-spruce Tsuga heterophylla (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 45m.  Large, narrowly conical evergreen with dense foliage; crown spire-like with drooping leading shoot. LEAVES Needles, dark glossy green above with 2 pale bands below, in 2 flattened rows on either side of shoot. Note, 2 leaf sizes (hence heterophylla): some 6mm long, others to 2cm long, both with rounded tips and toothed margins. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers reddish at first, but yellowing with pollen. Female cones solitary, ovoid and pendent, to 3cm long; scales blunt. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of W North America. Widely planted here and reaches a great size.
    127038.jpg
  • Sugar Maple Acer saccharum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 26m <br />
Similar to Norway Maple. BARK Has large fissures and falls away in shreds in older trees. BRANCHES Upright to spreading. LEAVES 13cm-long leaves are lobed, but teeth on lobes are rounded, not drawn out into a fine point as in Norway Maple; there are hairs in vein axils below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Pendulous yellow-green flowers are small and lack petals; open in spring with leaves. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America, planted here for its autumn colours.
    124983.jpg
  • Silver Maple Acer saccharinum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
Broadly columnar tree with spreading crown; suckers freely. BARK Smooth, greyish but scaly with age. BRANCHES Numerous, slender and ascending with pendulous brownish twigs. LEAVES To 16cm long, deeply divided into 5 lobes with irregularly toothed margins, orange or red-tinted at first, green above later, but with silvery hairs below; petiole usually pink-tinged. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish-green flowers (no petals) in small short-stalked clusters of separate sexes in spring. Green, then brown, fruits are about 6cm long, with diverging wings and prominent veins. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America, planted here for ornament.
    124981.jpg
  • White Spruce Picea glauca (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 24m <br />
Narrowly conical evergreen, but broadening with maturity. BARK Purple-grey with roughly circular scales. BRANCHES Turn upwards at tips, bearing hairless, greyish twigs and blunt buds. LEAVES Pointed needles, 4-angled,to 1.3 cm long, pale green (sometimes bluish), and smelling unpleasantly to some when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Female cones are about 6cm long and 2cm across, cylindrical, pendent and orange-brown when ripe, with rounded margins to scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native northern North America, widely planted here for timber and ornament in Britain.
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  • Canadian Serviceberry Amelanchier canadensis  HEIGHT to 7m. Small deciduous, spreading tree with hairy young twigs. LEAVAES To 5cm long, elliptical and finely toothed. Purple tinged and woolly at first, smooth and green when older.  REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers in drooping, slightly hairy spikes; petals white, to 1.4cm long. Fruits deep purple when ripe with dried sepals at tip. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to North America. Planted here and sometimes naturalised.
    120969.jpg
  • Scarlet Oak Quercus coccinea (Fagaceae) HEIGHT to 28m<br />
Rather slender, domed tree. BARK Dark greyish-brown, smooth in young trees, ridged with maturity. BRANCHES Slender and spreading. LEAVES 15cm-long, even more deeply lobed than Pin Oak but less strongly bristle-tipped. In summer, leaves are glossy green above and paler below with small hair-tufts in vein axils below. Turn brilliant red in autumn, especially in cultivar Q. coccinea ‘Splendens’. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Acorns, to 2.5cm long, are rounded, half-enclosed in a slightly glossy cup. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America. Planted here for its brilliant autumn colours.
    120956.jpg
  • Pin Oak Quercus palustris (Fagaceae) HEIGHT to 26m <br />
Broadly conical deciduous tree with a short bole. BARK Smooth and grey-brown. BRANCHES Numerous, mostly ascending. LEAVES Distinctive: to 12cm long and deeply lobed with bristles at tips of pointed lobes. In summer, leaves are glossy green on both surfaces, palest below; tufts of brownish hairs in vein axils. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male catkins pendulous, yellowish, opening in early summer. Acorns, to 1.5cm long, partially enclosed in shallow scaly cup. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America. Introduced here for ornament.
    108775.jpg
  • Sitka Spruce Picea sitchensis Pinaceae Height to 52m<br />
Conical evergreen with spire-like crown and buttressed trunk. Bark Greyish-brown, scaly. Branches Ascending with pendent side-shoots. Needles To 3cm long, keeled, bright green above with 2 pale-blue bands below. Reproductive parts Female cones yellowish at first, becoming cylin¬drical and shiny pale brown. Status Native of W North America. Planted here for its lightweight, strong timber.
    102316.jpg
  • Sitka Spruce Picea sitchensis Pinaceae Height to 52m<br />
Conical evergreen with spire-like crown and buttressed trunk. Bark Greyish-brown, scaly. Branches Ascending with pendent side-shoots. Needles To 3cm long, keeled, bright green above with 2 pale-blue bands below. Reproductive parts Female cones yellowish at first, becoming cylin¬drical and shiny pale brown. Status Native of W North America. Planted here for its lightweight, strong timber.
    102315.jpg
  • Pika Ochotona princeps Length 16-20cm Small, dumpy relative of rabbits and hares with rather rounded head and proportionately large ears. Tail is small and indistinct externally. Lives amongst scree and boulders in western mountain ranges of North America.
    136105.jpg
  • Red-eared Terrapin Trachemys scripta elegans Length to 25m Freshwater turtle, originating eastern North America. Body is protected by a shell comprising scale-like plates on dorsal surface. Neck and legs are striped; note red patch on side of head. Widely kept as a pet and often liberated, outside its range. Because it is a voracious predator, it is a conservation problem and regarded as an unwelcome invasive species.
    109119.jpg
  • American Wigeon - Mareca americana. Each autumn, a scattering of genuinely wild ducks from North America arrive here, blown in by Atlantic gales. Typically they associate with their most similar European counterparts. American Wigeon Anas americana (L 48-55cm) is similar to Wigeon but males have a green eyestripe, creamy white forehead and crown, and speckled grey face.
    128881.jpg
  • Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris. Each autumn, a scattering of genuinely wild ducks from North America arrive here, blown in by Atlantic gales. Typically they associate with their most similar European counterparts. Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris (L 38-45cm) is similar to a Tufted Duck but with a peaked crown and tri-coloured bill. Mainly black and white male has a vertical white line on flanks and brownish female has a white ‘spectacle’ around the eye.
    128885.jpg
  • Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris. Each autumn, a scattering of genuinely wild ducks from North America arrive here, blown in by Atlantic gales. Typically they associate with their most similar European counterparts. Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris (L 38-45cm) is similar to a Tufted Duck but with a peaked crown and tri-coloured bill. Mainly black and white male has a vertical white line on flanks and brownish female has a white ‘spectacle’ around the eye.
    128887.jpg
  • Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos. Westerly gales in September and October bring with them a crop of waders from across the Atlantic. Being powerful fliers, virtually any species that breeds in North America is a contender. Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos (L 19-22cm) recalls a Dunlin but has yellow legs, white stripes on the back, and a clear demarcation between the clean white underparts and streaked breast.
    129034.jpg
  • Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites subruficollis. Westerly gales in September and October bring with them a crop of waders from across the Atlantic. Being powerful fliers, virtually any species that breeds in North America is a contender. Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites subruficollis (L 18-20cm) recalls a juvenile Ruff that is buffish overall with a scaly-looking back and yellow legs; usually found on short, coastal grassland.
    136853.jpg
  • Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites subruficollis. Westerly gales in September and October bring with them a crop of waders from across the Atlantic. Being powerful fliers, virtually any species that breeds in North America is a contender. Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites subruficollis (L 18-20cm) recalls a juvenile Ruff that is buffish overall with a scaly-looking back and yellow legs; usually found on short, coastal grassland.
    136855.jpg
  • Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos. Westerly gales in September and October bring with them a crop of waders from across the Atlantic. Being powerful fliers, virtually any species that breeds in North America is a contender. Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos (L 19-22cm) recalls a Dunlin but has yellow legs, white stripes on the back, and a clear demarcation between the clean white underparts and streaked breast.
    136856.jpg
  • Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos. Westerly gales in September and October bring with them a crop of waders from across the Atlantic. Being powerful fliers, virtually any species that breeds in North America is a contender. Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos (L 19-22cm) recalls a Dunlin but has yellow legs, white stripes on the back, and a clear demarcation between the clean white underparts and streaked breast.
    136860.jpg
  • Lodgepole Pine Pinus contorta (ssp. latifolia). Similar to Beach Pine (ssp. Pinaceae) Columnar with a less dense crown; usually grows on a much straighter, but sometimes divided trunk. Needles are broader than those of Beach Pine, and more spread apart. Grows in the mountains well inland away from sea. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS All trees have male flowers in dense clusters near the tips of shoots. Female flowers grow in groups of up to 4 close to the tip of the shoot. Cones are rounded to ovoid, up to 6cm long and 3cm in diameter, and usually a shiny yellow-brown. Each cone scale has a slender, sharp tip, which easily breaks off.<br />
STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to coastal western North America, widely planted here for timber on poor soils and exposed, often upland, sites.
    134330.jpg
  • Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites subruficollis. Westerly gales in September and October bring with them a crop of waders from across the Atlantic. Being powerful fliers, virtually any species that breeds in North America is a contender. Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites subruficollis (L 18-20cm) recalls a juvenile Ruff that is buffish overall with a scaly-looking back and yellow legs; usually found on short, coastal grassland.
    155557.jpg
  • Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos. Westerly gales in September and October bring with them a crop of waders from across the Atlantic. Being powerful fliers, virtually any species that breeds in North America is a contender. Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos (L 19-22cm) recalls a Dunlin but has yellow legs, white stripes on the back, and a clear demarcation between the clean white underparts and streaked breast.
    155156.jpg
  • Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos. Westerly gales in September and October bring with them a crop of waders from across the Atlantic. Being powerful fliers, virtually any species that breeds in North America is a contender. Pectoral Sandpiper Calidris melanotos (L 19-22cm) recalls a Dunlin but has yellow legs, white stripes on the back, and a clear demarcation between the clean white underparts and streaked breast.
    155157.jpg
  • Californian Laurel Umbellularia californica (Lauraceae) HEIGHT to 20m. Dense evergreen with a domed crown and similar foliage to Bay. BARK Grey and cracked. BRANCHES Much-divided. LEAVES Similar to Bay but typically narrower and paler green or yellowish-green. Crushed leaves give off a stronger scent than those of Bay, which can induce painful headaches and nausea in some people. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish flowers grow in small, dense, rounded clusters and fruits are rounded and greenish, ripening to purple. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of W coast of North America, cultivated in milder parts of our region where some fine trees exist.
    135092.jpg
  • Shagbark Hickory  Carya ovata (Juglandaceae) HEIGHT to 20m. Upright or slightly spreading tree with a broad, flattened crown. BARK Grey, splits into long scaly flakes. BRANCHES In winter, sparse branches support reddish twigs tipped with scaly buds. LEAVES Compound, 5 (sometimes 3 or 7) leaflets, to 20cm long, longer near tip of leaf. Each leaflet is oval to oblong, toothed, with tufts of short white hairs between teeth. Terminal leaflet is short-stalked. Leaves leathery, sometimes oily. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male catkins green, to 15cm long, in spreading clusters. Female flowers small, yellowish, in terminal clusters. Fruits round, to 6cm long, on short stalks; contain white seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America, planted here occasionally.
    135089.jpg
  • Scarlet Oak Quercus coccinea (Fagaceae) HEIGHT to 28m<br />
Rather slender, domed tree. BARK Dark greyish-brown, smooth in young trees, ridged with maturity. BRANCHES Slender and spreading. LEAVES 15cm-long, even more deeply lobed than Pin Oak but less strongly bristle-tipped. In summer, leaves are glossy green above and paler below with small hair-tufts in vein axils below. Turn brilliant red in autumn, especially in cultivar Q. coccinea ‘Splendens’. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Acorns, to 2.5cm long, are rounded, half-enclosed in a slightly glossy cup. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America. Planted here for its brilliant autumn colours.
    135075.jpg
  • Shagbark Hickory  Carya ovata (Juglandaceae) HEIGHT to 20m. Upright or slightly spreading tree with a broad, flattened crown. BARK Grey, splits into long scaly flakes. BRANCHES In winter, sparse branches support reddish twigs tipped with scaly buds. LEAVES Compound, 5 (sometimes 3 or 7) leaflets, to 20cm long, longer near tip of leaf. Each leaflet is oval to oblong, toothed, with tufts of short white hairs between teeth. Terminal leaflet is short-stalked. Leaves leathery, sometimes oily. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male catkins green, to 15cm long, in spreading clusters. Female flowers small, yellowish, in terminal clusters. Fruits round, to 6cm long, on short stalks; contain white seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America, planted here occasionally.
    135067.jpg
  • Sitka Spruce Picea sitchensis Pinaceae Height to 52m<br />
Conical evergreen with spire-like crown and buttressed trunk. Bark Greyish-brown, scaly. Branches Ascending with pendent side-shoots. Needles To 3cm long, keeled, bright green above with 2 pale-blue bands below. Reproductive parts Female cones yellowish at first, becoming cylin¬drical and shiny pale brown. Status Native of W North America. Planted here for its lightweight, strong timber.
    134723.jpg
  • Sitka Spruce Picea sitchensis Pinaceae Height to 52m<br />
Conical evergreen with spire-like crown and buttressed trunk. Bark Greyish-brown, scaly. Branches Ascending with pendent side-shoots. Needles To 3cm long, keeled, bright green above with 2 pale-blue bands below. Reproductive parts Female cones yellowish at first, becoming cylin¬drical and shiny pale brown. Status Native of W North America. Planted here for its lightweight, strong timber.
    134705.jpg
  • Sassafras Sassafras albidum (Lauraceae) HEIGHT to 20m <br />
Medium-sized, columnar, deciduous tree. BARK Thick, reddish-brown, furrowed and aromatic bark. BRANCHES With thin, green shoots, particularly evident after leaf-fall. LEAVES Mostly elliptic and untoothed, to 15cm long and 10cm across, but sometimes with large lobes on either side. Upper surface is bright green and lower surface is bluish-green; leaves turn through yellow and orange to purple in autumn. Crushed leaves have a pleasing smell and to some they taste of orange and vanilla. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers are very small, greenish-yellow and without petals, growing in small clusters on separate plants and opening in the spring. Fruit is an ovoid berry, about 1cm long, ripening to a dark blue. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common native tree of E North America, growing in woods and thickets, and used as a raw ingredient for root beer and tea. Seen in Britain and Ireland in arboreta and well-established gardens.
    134481.jpg
  • Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii Pinaceae Height to 60m<br />
Tall, slender, conical evergreen. Bark Greyish-green, often blistered. Branches in whorls. Needles to 3.5cm long, grooved above, with 2 white bands below. Reproductive parts Male flowers small and yellow. Female flowers resemble tiny pinkish shaving-brushes. Both sexes grow at tips of twigs. Status Native of W North America. Widely planted here for timber; thrives in Scotland.
    133217.jpg
  • Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii Pinaceae Height to 60m<br />
Tall, slender, conical evergreen. Bark Greyish-green, often blistered. Branches in whorls. Needles to 3.5cm long, grooved above, with 2 white bands below. Reproductive parts Male flowers small and yellow. Female flowers resemble tiny pinkish shaving-brushes. Both sexes grow at tips of twigs. Status Native of W North America. Widely planted here for timber; thrives in Scotland.
    132704.jpg
  • Sassafras Sassafras albidum (Lauraceae) HEIGHT to 20m <br />
Medium-sized, columnar, deciduous tree. BARK Thick, reddish-brown, furrowed and aromatic bark. BRANCHES With thin, green shoots, particularly evident after leaf-fall. LEAVES Mostly elliptic and untoothed, to 15cm long and 10cm across, but sometimes with large lobes on either side. Upper surface is bright green and lower surface is bluish-green; leaves turn through yellow and orange to purple in autumn. Crushed leaves have a pleasing smell and to some they taste of orange and vanilla. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers are very small, greenish-yellow and without petals, growing in small clusters on separate plants and opening in the spring. Fruit is an ovoid berry, about 1cm long, ripening to a dark blue. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common native tree of E North America, growing in woods and thickets, and used as a raw ingredient for root beer and tea. Seen in Britain and Ireland in arboreta and well-established gardens.
    132641.jpg
  • Red Fir Abies magnifica Height to 60m. Native to mountains of northwest North America. Sometimes planted in Europe for its ornamental value. Bark is reddish in mature trees. Leaves are blue-grey needles. Cones are upright, yellowish-green at first, maturing brown.
    132620.jpg
  • Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii Pinaceae Height to 60m<br />
Tall, slender, conical evergreen. Bark Greyish-green, often blistered. Branches in whorls. Needles to 3.5cm long, grooved above, with 2 white bands below. Reproductive parts Male flowers small and yellow. Female flowers resemble tiny pinkish shaving-brushes. Both sexes grow at tips of twigs. Status Native of W North America. Widely planted here for timber; thrives in Scotland.
    132384.jpg
  • Pin Oak Quercus palustris (Fagaceae) HEIGHT to 26m <br />
Broadly conical deciduous tree with a short bole. BARK Smooth and grey-brown. BRANCHES Numerous, mostly ascending. LEAVES Distinctive: to 12cm long and deeply lobed with bristles at tips of pointed lobes. In summer, leaves are glossy green on both surfaces, palest below; tufts of brownish hairs in vein axils. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male catkins pendulous, yellowish, opening in early summer. Acorns, to 1.5cm long, partially enclosed in shallow scaly cup. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America. Introduced here for ornament.
    132292.jpg
  • Pin Oak Quercus palustris (Fagaceae) HEIGHT to 26m <br />
Broadly conical deciduous tree with a short bole. BARK Smooth and grey-brown. BRANCHES Numerous, mostly ascending. LEAVES Distinctive: to 12cm long and deeply lobed with bristles at tips of pointed lobes. In summer, leaves are glossy green on both surfaces, palest below; tufts of brownish hairs in vein axils. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male catkins pendulous, yellowish, opening in early summer. Acorns, to 1.5cm long, partially enclosed in shallow scaly cup. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America. Introduced here for ornament.
    132256.jpg
  • Red Maple Acer rubrum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 23m <br />
Fast-growing, spreading tree with an irregular crown.BARK Grey and smooth. BRANCHES Mostly ascending, but arch outwards. LEAVES To 10cm long and almost as wide, with 3–5 toothed lobes less than half the leaf width; red-tinged above at first, greener later, and silvery below, with a red petiole. Turn various shades of red and yellow in autumn. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS small red flowers in dense clusters on thin pedicels, open in spring before leaves. Males and females are separate. Bright-red winged fruits are about 1cm long, the wings diverging at a narrow angle. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America, usually growing in damp habitats, grown here for its autumn foliage.
    124979.jpg
  • Ashleaf Maple (Box Elder) Acer negundo (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 20m <br />
Small but vigorous deciduous tree with numerous shoots growing from bole and main branches. BARK Smooth in young trees, replaced by darker, shallowly fissured bark in older trees. BRANCHES With green shoots and small buds that have only 2 whitish scales. LEAVES Pinnate, to 15cm long with 3 or sometimes up to 7 irregularly toothed oval leaflets. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers occur separately, opening in March before leaves. Petals are absent; male flowers are greenish with prominent red anthers, and female flowers are greenish-yellow and pendent. Brown fruits are about 2cm long with wings slightly spreading, remaining on tree after leaves have fallen. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E North America, commonly planted as an ornamental tree, and sometimes for shelter; sometimes naturalised.
    124978.jpg
  • Western Hemlock-spruce Tsuga heterophylla (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 45m.  Large, narrowly conical evergreen with dense foliage; crown spire-like with drooping leading shoot. LEAVES Needles, dark glossy green above with 2 pale bands below, in 2 flattened rows on either side of shoot. Note, 2 leaf sizes (hence heterophylla): some 6mm long, others to 2cm long, both with rounded tips and toothed margins. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers reddish at first, but yellowing with pollen. Female cones solitary, ovoid and pendent, to 3cm long; scales blunt. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of W North America. Widely planted here and reaches a great size.
    102326.jpg
  • Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii Pinaceae Height to 60m<br />
Tall, slender, conical evergreen. Bark Greyish-green, often blistered. Branches in whorls. Needles to 3.5cm long, grooved above, with 2 white bands below. Reproductive parts Male flowers small and yellow. Female flowers resemble tiny pinkish shaving-brushes. Both sexes grow at tips of twigs. Status Native of W North America. Widely planted here for timber; thrives in Scotland.
    102312.jpg
  • Green-winged Teal - Anas carolinensis. Each autumn, a scattering of genuinely wild ducks from North America arrive here, blown in by Atlantic gales. Typically they associate with their most similar European counterparts. Green-winged Teal Anus crecca carolinensis (L 34-38cm) is similar to a Teal and only males are separable: they have a vertical white stripe on the breast.
    128878.jpg
  • American Wigeon - Mareca americana. Each autumn, a scattering of genuinely wild ducks from North America arrive here, blown in by Atlantic gales. Typically they associate with their most similar European counterparts. American Wigeon Anas americana (L 48-55cm) is similar to Wigeon but males have a green eyestripe, creamy white forehead and crown, and speckled grey face.
    128880.jpg
  • Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites subruficollis. Westerly gales in September and October bring with them a crop of waders from across the Atlantic. Being powerful fliers, virtually any species that breeds in North America is a contender. Buff-breasted Sandpiper Tryngites subruficollis (L 18-20cm) recalls a juvenile Ruff that is buffish overall with a scaly-looking back and yellow legs; usually found on short, coastal grassland.
    136854.jpg
  • Limpkin - Aramus guarauna
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  • Limpkin - Aramus guarauna
    160601.jpg
  • Little Blue Heron - Egretta caerulea
    160602.jpg
  • Little Blue Heron - Egretta caerulea
    160604.jpg
  • Marbled Godwit - Limosa fedoa
    160612.jpg
  • Mourning Dove - Zenaida macroura
    160616.jpg
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