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  • Common Crossbill Loxia curvirostra L 15-17cm. Extraordinary finch with crossed-tipped mandibles - used to extract seeds from conifer cones. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male is mainly red but with brownish wings. Adult female is mainly greenish but with brownish wings. Immature birds are similar to adults of respective sexes but with duller colours. Juvenile is grey-brown and heavily streaked. Voice Utters a sharp kip-kip-kip flight call. Status Associated with mature conifer woodland (mainly Larch and spruces). Nomadic outside breeding season (in search of cone-bearing trees).
    139529.jpg
  • Common Crossbill Loxia curvirostra L 15-17cm. Extraordinary finch with crossed-tipped mandibles - used to extract seeds from conifer cones. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male is mainly red but with brownish wings. Adult female is mainly greenish but with brownish wings. Immature birds are similar to adults of respective sexes but with duller colours. Juvenile is grey-brown and heavily streaked. Voice Utters a sharp kip-kip-kip flight call. Status Associated with mature conifer woodland (mainly Larch and spruces). Nomadic outside breeding season (in search of cone-bearing trees).
    139530.jpg
  • Common Crossbill Loxia curvirostra L 15-17cm. Extraordinary finch with crossed-tipped mandibles - used to extract seeds from conifer cones. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male is mainly red but with brownish wings. Adult female is mainly greenish but with brownish wings. Immature birds are similar to adults of respective sexes but with duller colours. Juvenile is grey-brown and heavily streaked. Voice Utters a sharp kip-kip-kip flight call. Status Associated with mature conifer woodland (mainly Larch and spruces). Nomadic outside breeding season (in search of cone-bearing trees).
    139525.jpg
  • Common Crossbill Loxia curvirostra L 15-17cm. Extraordinary finch with crossed-tipped mandibles - used to extract seeds from conifer cones. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male is mainly red but with brownish wings. Adult female is mainly greenish but with brownish wings. Immature birds are similar to adults of respective sexes but with duller colours. Juvenile is grey-brown and heavily streaked. Voice Utters a sharp kip-kip-kip flight call. Status Associated with mature conifer woodland (mainly Larch and spruces). Nomadic outside breeding season (in search of cone-bearing trees).
    139528.jpg
  • Common Crossbill Loxia curvirostra L 15-17cm. Extraordinary finch with crossed-tipped mandibles - used to extract seeds from conifer cones. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male is mainly red but with brownish wings. Adult female is mainly greenish but with brownish wings. Immature birds are similar to adults of respective sexes but with duller colours. Juvenile is grey-brown and heavily streaked. Voice Utters a sharp kip-kip-kip flight call. Status Associated with mature conifer woodland (mainly Larch and spruces). Nomadic outside breeding season (in search of cone-bearing trees).
    139531.jpg
  • Common Crossbill Loxia curvirostra L 15-17cm. Extraordinary finch with crossed-tipped mandibles - used to extract seeds from conifer cones. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male is mainly red but with brownish wings. Adult female is mainly greenish but with brownish wings. Immature birds are similar to adults of respective sexes but with duller colours. Juvenile is grey-brown and heavily streaked. Voice Utters a sharp kip-kip-kip flight call. Status Associated with mature conifer woodland (mainly Larch and spruces). Nomadic outside breeding season (in search of cone-bearing trees).
    139533.jpg
  • Common Crossbill Loxia curvirostra L 15-17cm. Extraordinary finch with crossed-tipped mandibles - used to extract seeds from conifer cones. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male is mainly red but with brownish wings. Adult female is mainly greenish but with brownish wings. Immature birds are similar to adults of respective sexes but with duller colours. Juvenile is grey-brown and heavily streaked. Voice Utters a sharp kip-kip-kip flight call. Status Associated with mature conifer woodland (mainly Larch and spruces). Nomadic outside breeding season (in search of cone-bearing trees).
    124268.jpg
  • Common Crossbill Loxia curvirostra L 15-17cm. Extraordinary finch with crossed-tipped mandibles - used to extract seeds from conifer cones. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male is mainly red but with brownish wings. Adult female is mainly greenish but with brownish wings. Immature birds are similar to adults of respective sexes but with duller colours. Juvenile is grey-brown and heavily streaked. Voice Utters a sharp kip-kip-kip flight call. Status Associated with mature conifer woodland (mainly Larch and spruces). Nomadic outside breeding season (in search of cone-bearing trees).
    139527.jpg
  • Common Crossbill Loxia curvirostra L 15-17cm. Extraordinary finch with crossed-tipped mandibles - used to extract seeds from conifer cones. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male is mainly red but with brownish wings. Adult female is mainly greenish but with brownish wings. Immature birds are similar to adults of respective sexes but with duller colours. Juvenile is grey-brown and heavily streaked. Voice Utters a sharp kip-kip-kip flight call. Status Associated with mature conifer woodland (mainly Larch and spruces). Nomadic outside breeding season (in search of cone-bearing trees).
    139532.jpg
  • Common Crossbill Loxia curvirostra - Female. L 15-17cm. Extraordinary finch with crossed-tipped mandibles - used to extract seeds from conifer cones. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male is mainly red but with brownish wings. Adult female is mainly greenish but with brownish wings. Immature birds are similar to adults of respective sexes but with duller colours. Juvenile is grey-brown and heavily streaked. Voice Utters a sharp kip-kip-kip flight call. Status Associated with mature conifer woodland (mainly Larch and spruces). Nomadic outside breeding season (in search of cone-bearing trees).
    155615.jpg
  • Common Crossbill Loxia curvirostra - Male. L 15-17cm. Extraordinary finch with crossed-tipped mandibles - used to extract seeds from conifer cones. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male is mainly red but with brownish wings. Adult female is mainly greenish but with brownish wings. Immature birds are similar to adults of respective sexes but with duller colours. Juvenile is grey-brown and heavily streaked. Voice Utters a sharp kip-kip-kip flight call. Status Associated with mature conifer woodland (mainly Larch and spruces). Nomadic outside breeding season (in search of cone-bearing trees).
    155616.jpg
  • Common Crossbill Loxia curvirostra L 15-17cm. Extraordinary finch with crossed-tipped mandibles - used to extract seeds from conifer cones. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male is mainly red but with brownish wings. Adult female is mainly greenish but with brownish wings. Immature birds are similar to adults of respective sexes but with duller colours. Juvenile is grey-brown and heavily streaked. Voice Utters a sharp kip-kip-kip flight call. Status Associated with mature conifer woodland (mainly Larch and spruces). Nomadic outside breeding season (in search of cone-bearing trees).
    139526.jpg
  • Common Crossbill - Loxia curvirostra. L 15-17cm. Extraordinary finch with crossed-tipped mandibles - used to extract seeds from conifer cones. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male is mainly red but with brownish wings. Adult female is mainly greenish but with brownish wings. Immature birds are similar to adults of respective sexes but with duller colours. Juvenile is grey-brown and heavily streaked. Voice Utters a sharp kip-kip-kip flight call. Status Associated with mature conifer woodland (mainly Larch and spruces). Nomadic outside breeding season (in search of cone-bearing trees).
    158015.jpg
  • CREEPING LADY’S-TRESSES Goodyera repens (Orchidaceae) Height to 25cm. Perennial with both creeping stems and upright, flowering stalks. Grows in mature and undisturbed conifer woodland (mainly Scots Pine). FLOWERS are white, slightly sticky and do not open fully; arranged in a spiral fashion, in open spikes (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are oval, stalked, net-veined and evergreen. STATUS-Locally common only in Scotland and N England; rare in N Norfolk.
    118317.jpg
  • Charming little orchid of moorland and conifer forests. Surprisingly easy to overlook on account of its size, and because it often grows under clumps of Heather. FLOWERS are small (2-3mm long) and reddish, comprising a hood and a forked lip; borne on a reddish stem, in a loose spike of 5-12 flowers (Jun-Aug). FRUITS form at the base of the flowers, altering the appearance of the reddish flowering spike very little. LEAVES comprise a pair of oval basal leaves, up to 4cm long. STATUS-Widespread but distinctly local in northern and north-west regions. Scarce or absent south of north Wales, the species’ southernmost outpost being on Exmoor.
    114891.jpg
  • Common Larch Larix decidua Pinaceae Height to 35m<br />
Deciduous, conical conifer. Foliage turns golden before needles fall in autumn. Bark Greyish-brown, fissured with age. Branches Mostly horizontal. Needles To 3cm long, in bunches of up to 40. Reproductive parts Male flowers are yellow cones. Female cones are red in spring, maturing brown and woody. Status Native of central Europe, planted here for timber and ornament.
    144444.jpg
  • Common Larch Larix decidua Pinaceae Height to 35m<br />
Deciduous, conical conifer. Foliage turns golden before needles fall in autumn. Bark Greyish-brown, fissured with age. Branches Mostly horizontal. Needles To 3cm long, in bunches of up to 40. Reproductive parts Male flowers are yellow cones. Female cones are red in spring, maturing brown and woody. Status Native of central Europe, planted here for timber and ornament.
    144443.jpg
  • Swamp Cypress Taxodium distichum (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Deciduous conifer, conical at first, becoming broader and domed with maturity. When growing in or near water, fluted trunk is surrounded by emergent ‘breathing roots’ (likened by some to knobbly knees) characteristic of this species. BARK Pale reddish-brown, peeling in thin fibrous strips. BRANCHES Upright or spreading in older trees, carrying 2 types of shoots: long shoots bear spirally arranged leaves, and alternate side-shoots bear flattened leaves set in 2 ranks. LEAVES Alternate, up to 2cm long, and pale green; a greyish band on the underside has a fine midrib. A mature tree colours well in autumn before shedding its needles. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones produced in slender, branching clusters up to 15cm long at end of 1-year-old shoots. Female cones are globose and woody, on short stalks, ripening purplish-brown in first year. Each scale has a small curved spine in the centre. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of S and SE USA, planted here for ornament.
    135032.jpg
  • Noble Fir Abies procera (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 50m. Extremely large, narrowly conical conifer when mature BARK Silver-grey or purplish; develops shallow fissures with age. BRANCHES Youngest twigs are reddish-brown and hairy, with resinous buds at tip. LEAVES Bluntly pointed needles, 2-3cm long, grooved on upper surface; blue-grey colour is marked by paler bands on both surfaces. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are reddish and supported below shoot. Cylindrical female flowers, resembling small cones, are red or green and grow on upper side of shoot; green spine emerges beneath each scale. Cones, up to 25cm long, held erect on upper side of the branches. Disintegrate in winter, but may be so abundant that branches are damaged by their weight. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to Pacific NW USA. Planted in our region since 1850, reaching greatest size in Scotland.
    134722.jpg
  • Common Larch Larix decidua Pinaceae Height to 35m<br />
Deciduous, conical conifer. Foliage turns golden before needles fall in autumn. Bark Greyish-brown, fissured with age. Branches Mostly horizontal. Needles To 3cm long, in bunches of up to 40. Reproductive parts Male flowers are yellow cones. Female cones are red in spring, maturing brown and woody. Status Native of central Europe, planted here for timber and ornament.
    132705.jpg
  • Japanese Larch Larix kaempferi (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 40m. A deciduous conifer resembling Common Larch, but lacking the drooping shoots, and having a more twiggy appearance with a dense crown. BARK Reddish-brown, flaking off in scales. LEAVES Needles, growing in tufts of about 40, slightly broader, and greyer in colour than those of Common Larch. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are similar to those of Common Larch, but female cones are pink or cream in spring, becoming brown and woody in autumn, and differing from those of Common Larch in having turned-out tips to the scales, looking like woody rose-buds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but now very common in forestry plantations, replacing the Common Larch because of its more vigorous growth. Of less value to wildlife, because of the dense needle-litter that accumulates beneath it, and the later leaf-fall.
    132631.jpg
  • Common Yew Taxus baccata Taxaceae Height to 25m<br />
Dense-foliaged, broadly conical conifer. Bark Reddish, peeling. Branches Level or ascending. LEAVES Flat, needle-like, to 4cm long, dark glossy green with 2 pale yellowish bands below. Reproductive parts Male and female flowers on separate trees. Males comprise yellowish anthers. Females are greenish; fruits surrounded by bright-red fleshy aril. Status Native to Britain but also planted in churchyards.
    130387.jpg
  • CREEPING LADY’S-TRESSES Goodyera repens (Orchidaceae) Height to 25cm. Perennial with both creeping stems and upright, flowering stalks. Grows in mature and undisturbed conifer woodland (mainly Scots Pine). FLOWERS are white, slightly sticky and do not open fully; arranged in a spiral fashion, in open spikes (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are oval, stalked, net-veined and evergreen. STATUS-Locally common only in Scotland and N England; rare in N Norfolk.
    144473.jpg
  • Coal Tit Parus ater L 10-11cm. Tiny, well-marked and warbler-like bird. Sexes are similar. Adult has white cheeks and white nape patch on otherwise black head. Back and wings are bluish grey and underparts are pale pinkish buff. Note two white wingbars and dark, needle-like bill. Juvenile is similar but colours and markings are less striking. Voice Utters a thin call. Song is repeated teechu-teechu-teechu…, higher pitched and more rapid than Great Tit.<br />
Status Fairly common resident of conifer forests and mixed and deciduous woodland.
    130320.jpg
  • Coal Tit Parus ater L 10-11cm. Tiny, well-marked and warbler-like bird. Sexes are similar. Adult has white cheeks and white nape patch on otherwise black head. Back and wings are bluish grey and underparts are pale pinkish buff. Note two white wingbars and dark, needle-like bill. Juvenile is similar but colours and markings are less striking. Voice Utters a thin call. Song is repeated teechu-teechu-teechu…, higher pitched and more rapid than Great Tit.<br />
Status Fairly common resident of conifer forests and mixed and deciduous woodland.
    133129.jpg
  • Coal Tit Parus ater L 10-11cm. Tiny, well-marked and warbler-like bird. Sexes are similar. Adult has white cheeks and white nape patch on otherwise black head. Back and wings are bluish grey and underparts are pale pinkish buff. Note two white wingbars and dark, needle-like bill. Juvenile is similar but colours and markings are less striking. Voice Utters a thin call. Song is repeated teechu-teechu-teechu…, higher pitched and more rapid than Great Tit.<br />
Status Fairly common resident of conifer forests and mixed and deciduous woodland.
    133156.jpg
  • Larch Wood in Winter - Common Larch Larix decidua Pinaceae Height to 35m<br />
 Deciduous, conical conifer. Foliage turns golden before needles fall in autumn. Bark Greyish-brown, fissured with age. Branches Mostly horizontal. Needles To 3cm long, in bunches of up to 40. Reproductive parts Male flowers are yellow cones. Female cones are red in spring, maturing brown and woody. Status Native of central Europe, planted here for timber and ornament.
    129490.jpg
  • Common Larch Larix decidua Pinaceae Height to 35m<br />
Deciduous, conical conifer. Foliage turns golden before needles fall in autumn. Bark Greyish-brown, fissured with age. Branches Mostly horizontal. Needles To 3cm long, in bunches of up to 40. Reproductive parts Male flowers are yellow cones. Female cones are red in spring, maturing brown and woody. Status Native of central Europe, planted here for timber and ornament.
    144440.jpg
  • Common Larch Larix decidua Pinaceae Height to 35m<br />
Deciduous, conical conifer. Foliage turns golden before needles fall in autumn. Bark Greyish-brown, fissured with age. Branches Mostly horizontal. Needles To 3cm long, in bunches of up to 40. Reproductive parts Male flowers are yellow cones. Female cones are red in spring, maturing brown and woody. Status Native of central Europe, planted here for timber and ornament.
    134696.jpg
  • Dunkeld (Hybrid) Larch Larix x eurolepis (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 32m. Vigorous deciduous conifer, conical in outline when mature. Shares characteristics with both parents (Common Larch and Japanese Larch); most features intermediate between the 2 but rather variable. BARK Similar to Japanese Larch. LEAVES Dark green needles, to 5cm long. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Female cones are pinkish at first, but ripen yellow-brown and have slightly reflexed scales with projecting bracts. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION More vigorous than either parents, and copes better with harsh conditions and poor soils; quite widely planted, mostly for timber but occasionally for ornament
    134695.jpg
  • Dunkeld (Hybrid) Larch Larix x eurolepis (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 32m. Vigorous deciduous conifer, conical in outline when mature. Shares characteristics with both parents (Common Larch and Japanese Larch); most features intermediate between the 2 but rather variable. BARK Similar to Japanese Larch. LEAVES Dark green needles, to 5cm long. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Female cones are pinkish at first, but ripen yellow-brown and have slightly reflexed scales with projecting bracts. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION More vigorous than either parents, and copes better with harsh conditions and poor soils; quite widely planted, mostly for timber but occasionally for ornament
    134668.jpg
  • Japanese Larch Larix kaempferi (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 40m. A deciduous conifer resembling Common Larch, but lacking the drooping shoots, and having a more twiggy appearance with a dense crown. BARK Reddish-brown, flaking off in scales. LEAVES Needles, growing in tufts of about 40, slightly broader, and greyer in colour than those of Common Larch. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are similar to those of Common Larch, but female cones are pink or cream in spring, becoming brown and woody in autumn, and differing from those of Common Larch in having turned-out tips to the scales, looking like woody rose-buds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but now very common in forestry plantations, replacing the Common Larch because of its more vigorous growth. Of less value to wildlife, because of the dense needle-litter that accumulates beneath it, and the later leaf-fall.
    134624.jpg
  • Swamp Cypress Taxodium distichum (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Deciduous conifer, conical at first, becoming broader and domed with maturity. When growing in or near water, fluted trunk is surrounded by emergent ‘breathing roots’ (likened by some to knobbly knees) characteristic of this species. BARK Pale reddish-brown, peeling in thin fibrous strips. BRANCHES Upright or spreading in older trees, carrying 2 types of shoots: long shoots bear spirally arranged leaves, and alternate side-shoots bear flattened leaves set in 2 ranks. LEAVES Alternate, up to 2cm long, and pale green; a greyish band on the underside has a fine midrib. A mature tree colours well in autumn before shedding its needles. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones produced in slender, branching clusters up to 15cm long at end of 1-year-old shoots. Female cones are globose and woody, on short stalks, ripening purplish-brown in first year. Each scale has a small curved spine in the centre. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of S and SE USA, planted here for ornament.
    134583.jpg
  • Japanese Larch Larix kaempferi (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 40m. A deciduous conifer resembling Common Larch, but lacking the drooping shoots, and having a more twiggy appearance with a dense crown. BARK Reddish-brown, flaking off in scales. LEAVES Needles, growing in tufts of about 40, slightly broader, and greyer in colour than those of Common Larch. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are similar to those of Common Larch, but female cones are pink or cream in spring, becoming brown and woody in autumn, and differing from those of Common Larch in having turned-out tips to the scales, looking like woody rose-buds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but now very common in forestry plantations, replacing the Common Larch because of its more vigorous growth. Of less value to wildlife, because of the dense needle-litter that accumulates beneath it, and the later leaf-fall.
    132630.jpg
  • Swamp Cypress Taxodium distichum (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Deciduous conifer, conical at first, becoming broader and domed with maturity. When growing in or near water, fluted trunk is surrounded by emergent ‘breathing roots’ (likened by some to knobbly knees) characteristic of this species. BARK Pale reddish-brown, peeling in thin fibrous strips. BRANCHES Upright or spreading in older trees, carrying 2 types of shoots: long shoots bear spirally arranged leaves, and alternate side-shoots bear flattened leaves set in 2 ranks. LEAVES Alternate, up to 2cm long, and pale green; a greyish band on the underside has a fine midrib. A mature tree colours well in autumn before shedding its needles. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones produced in slender, branching clusters up to 15cm long at end of 1-year-old shoots. Female cones are globose and woody, on short stalks, ripening purplish-brown in first year. Each scale has a small curved spine in the centre. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of S and SE USA, planted here for ornament.
    132625.jpg
  • Dawn Redwood Metasequoia glyptostroboides (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Conical deciduous conifer with shoots and leaves in opposite pairs. Trunk tapers and is buttressed at base, becoming ridged in older trees. BARK Rich reddish-brown, peeling in vertical strips. LEAVES 2.5cm long, flat and needle-like, pale green at first, becoming darker green later; on short, lateral shoots that are shed in autumn. Leaves emerge early in spring, and turn yellow, pink or red before falling. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers are produced on young shoots in separate clusters on same tree in spring. Males are yellow; females greenish, producing rounded green, then brown cones about 2.5cm across. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SW China, unknown as a living tree (known only from fossil records) until 1941. Now a popular garden tree.
    132271.jpg
  • Common Larch Larix decidua Pinaceae Height to 35m<br />
Deciduous, conical conifer. Foliage turns golden before needles fall in autumn. Bark Greyish-brown, fissured with age. Branches Mostly horizontal. Needles To 3cm long, in bunches of up to 40. Reproductive parts Male flowers are yellow cones. Female cones are red in spring, maturing brown and woody. Status Native of central Europe, planted here for timber and ornament.
    123207.jpg
  • CHICKWEED WINTERGREEN Trientalis europaea (Primulaceae) Height to 20cm. Spreading, delicate perennial of mature, northern conifer forests. FLOWERS are 12-18mm across and star-shaped with 7 white petals; 1 or 2 are borne on long, slender stalks (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are ovate; borne mainly in a whorl near the top of the stem. STATUS-Very locally common in Scotland and scarce in N England.
    137920.jpg
  • YELLOW BIRD’S-NEST Monotropa hypopitys (Monotropaceae) Height to 10cm. Bizarre plant of beech and conifer woodland, but also found in dune slacks. Whole plant lacks chlorophyll and looks waxy yellow; food is obtained from soil leaf mould. FLOWERS are 10-15mm long and bell-shaped; borne in nodding spikes (Jun-Sep). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are scale-like. STATUS-Widespread but extremely local.
    132188.jpg
  • Coal Tit Parus ater L 10-11cm. Tiny, well-marked and warbler-like bird. Sexes are similar. Adult has white cheeks and white nape patch on otherwise black head. Back and wings are bluish grey and underparts are pale pinkish buff. Note two white wingbars and dark, needle-like bill. Juvenile is similar but colours and markings are less striking. Voice Utters a thin call. Song is repeated teechu-teechu-teechu…, higher pitched and more rapid than Great Tit.<br />
Status Fairly common resident of conifer forests and mixed and deciduous woodland.
    126411.jpg
  • Common Yew Taxus baccata Taxaceae Height to 25m<br />
Dense-foliaged, broadly conical conifer. Bark Reddish, peeling. Branches Level or ascending. LEAVES Flat, needle-like, to 4cm long, dark glossy green with 2 pale yellowish bands below. Reproductive parts Male and female flowers on separate trees. Males comprise yellowish anthers. Females are greenish; fruits surrounded by bright-red fleshy aril. Status Native to Britain but also planted in churchyards.
    144599.jpg
  • Dawn Redwood Metasequoia glyptostroboides (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Conical deciduous conifer with shoots and leaves in opposite pairs. Trunk tapers and is buttressed at base, becoming ridged in older trees. BARK Rich reddish-brown, peeling in vertical strips. LEAVES 2.5cm long, flat and needle-like, pale green at first, becoming darker green later; on short, lateral shoots that are shed in autumn. Leaves emerge early in spring, and turn yellow, pink or red before falling. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers are produced on young shoots in separate clusters on same tree in spring. Males are yellow; females greenish, producing rounded green, then brown cones about 2.5cm across. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SW China, unknown as a living tree (known only from fossil records) until 1941. Now a popular garden tree.
    135437.jpg
  • Noble Fir Abies procera (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 50m. Extremely large, narrowly conical conifer when mature BARK Silver-grey or purplish; develops shallow fissures with age. BRANCHES Youngest twigs are reddish-brown and hairy, with resinous buds at tip. LEAVES Bluntly pointed needles, 2-3cm long, grooved on upper surface; blue-grey colour is marked by paler bands on both surfaces. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are reddish and supported below shoot. Cylindrical female flowers, resembling small cones, are red or green and grow on upper side of shoot; green spine emerges beneath each scale. Cones, up to 25cm long, held erect on upper side of the branches. Disintegrate in winter, but may be so abundant that branches are damaged by their weight. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to Pacific NW USA. Planted in our region since 1850, reaching greatest size in Scotland.
    134703.jpg
  • Dunkeld (Hybrid) Larch Larix x eurolepis (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 32m. Vigorous deciduous conifer, conical in outline when mature. Shares characteristics with both parents (Common Larch and Japanese Larch); most features intermediate between the 2 but rather variable. BARK Similar to Japanese Larch. LEAVES Dark green needles, to 5cm long. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Female cones are pinkish at first, but ripen yellow-brown and have slightly reflexed scales with projecting bracts. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION More vigorous than either parents, and copes better with harsh conditions and poor soils; quite widely planted, mostly for timber but occasionally for ornament
    134623.jpg
  • Golden Larch Pseudolarix amabilis Height to 35m.Deciduous conifer tree.  Native to China but sometimes planted for its autumn colour. Leaves are needles, 3-5cm long, bright green in spring and summer, turning golden in autumn. Cones resemble miniature globe artichokes.
    133940.jpg
  • Common Yew Taxus baccata Taxaceae Height to 25m<br />
Dense-foliaged, broadly conical conifer. Bark Reddish, peeling. Branches Level or ascending. LEAVES Flat, needle-like, to 4cm long, dark glossy green with 2 pale yellowish bands below. Reproductive parts Male and female flowers on separate trees. Males comprise yellowish anthers. Females are greenish; fruits surrounded by bright-red fleshy aril. Status Native to Britain but also planted in churchyards.
    133310.jpg
  • Common Larch Larix decidua Pinaceae Height to 35m<br />
Deciduous, conical conifer. Foliage turns golden before needles fall in autumn. Bark Greyish-brown, fissured with age. Branches Mostly horizontal. Needles To 3cm long, in bunches of up to 40. Reproductive parts Male flowers are yellow cones. Female cones are red in spring, maturing brown and woody. Status Native of central Europe, planted here for timber and ornament.
    133284.jpg
  • Common Yew Taxus baccata Taxaceae Height to 25m<br />
Dense-foliaged, broadly conical conifer. Bark Reddish, peeling. Branches Level or ascending. LEAVES Flat, needle-like, to 4cm long, dark glossy green with 2 pale yellowish bands below. Reproductive parts Male and female flowers on separate trees. Males comprise yellowish anthers. Females are greenish; fruits surrounded by bright-red fleshy aril. Status Native to Britain but also planted in churchyards.
    133194.jpg
  • Noble Fir Abies procera (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 50m. Extremely large, narrowly conical conifer when mature BARK Silver-grey or purplish; develops shallow fissures with age. BRANCHES Youngest twigs are reddish-brown and hairy, with resinous buds at tip. LEAVES Bluntly pointed needles, 2-3cm long, grooved on upper surface; blue-grey colour is marked by paler bands on both surfaces. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are reddish and supported below shoot. Cylindrical female flowers, resembling small cones, are red or green and grow on upper side of shoot; green spine emerges beneath each scale. Cones, up to 25cm long, held erect on upper side of the branches. Disintegrate in winter, but may be so abundant that branches are damaged by their weight. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to Pacific NW USA. Planted in our region since 1850, reaching greatest size in Scotland.
    132821.jpg
  • Japanese Larch Larix kaempferi (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 40m. A deciduous conifer resembling Common Larch, but lacking the drooping shoots, and having a more twiggy appearance with a dense crown. BARK Reddish-brown, flaking off in scales. LEAVES Needles, growing in tufts of about 40, slightly broader, and greyer in colour than those of Common Larch. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are similar to those of Common Larch, but female cones are pink or cream in spring, becoming brown and woody in autumn, and differing from those of Common Larch in having turned-out tips to the scales, looking like woody rose-buds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but now very common in forestry plantations, replacing the Common Larch because of its more vigorous growth. Of less value to wildlife, because of the dense needle-litter that accumulates beneath it, and the later leaf-fall.
    132632.jpg
  • Japanese Larch Larix kaempferi (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 40m. A deciduous conifer resembling Common Larch, but lacking the drooping shoots, and having a more twiggy appearance with a dense crown. BARK Reddish-brown, flaking off in scales. LEAVES Needles, growing in tufts of about 40, slightly broader, and greyer in colour than those of Common Larch. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are similar to those of Common Larch, but female cones are pink or cream in spring, becoming brown and woody in autumn, and differing from those of Common Larch in having turned-out tips to the scales, looking like woody rose-buds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but now very common in forestry plantations, replacing the Common Larch because of its more vigorous growth. Of less value to wildlife, because of the dense needle-litter that accumulates beneath it, and the later leaf-fall.
    123218.jpg
  • Dunkeld (Hybrid) Larch Larix x eurolepis (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 32m. Vigorous deciduous conifer, conical in outline when mature. Shares characteristics with both parents (Common Larch and Japanese Larch); most features intermediate between the 2 but rather variable. BARK Similar to Japanese Larch. LEAVES Dark green needles, to 5cm long. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Female cones are pinkish at first, but ripen yellow-brown and have slightly reflexed scales with projecting bracts. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION More vigorous than either parents, and copes better with harsh conditions and poor soils; quite widely planted, mostly for timber but occasionally for ornament.
    123215.jpg
  • Common Yew Taxus baccata Taxaceae Height to 25m<br />
Dense-foliaged, broadly conical conifer. Bark Reddish, peeling. Branches Level or ascending. LEAVES Flat, needle-like, to 4cm long, dark glossy green with 2 pale yellowish bands below. Reproductive parts Male and female flowers on separate trees. Males comprise yellowish anthers. Females are greenish; fruits surrounded by bright-red fleshy aril. Status Native to Britain but also planted in churchyards.
    121359.jpg
  • Noble Fir Abies procera (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 50m. Extremely large, narrowly conical conifer when mature BARK Silver-grey or purplish; develops shallow fissures with age. BRANCHES Youngest twigs are reddish-brown and hairy, with resinous buds at tip. LEAVES Bluntly pointed needles, 2-3cm long, grooved on upper surface; blue-grey colour is marked by paler bands on both surfaces. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are reddish and supported below shoot. Cylindrical female flowers, resembling small cones, are red or green and grow on upper side of shoot; green spine emerges beneath each scale. Cones, up to 25cm long, held erect on upper side of the branches. Disintegrate in winter, but may be so abundant that branches are damaged by their weight. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to Pacific NW USA. Planted in our region since 1850, reaching greatest size in Scotland.
    109919.jpg
  • Common Yew Taxus baccata Taxaceae Height to 25m<br />
Dense-foliaged, broadly conical conifer. Bark Reddish, peeling. Branches Level or ascending. LEAVES Flat, needle-like, to 4cm long, dark glossy green with 2 pale yellowish bands below. Reproductive parts Male and female flowers on separate trees. Males comprise yellowish anthers. Females are greenish; fruits surrounded by bright-red fleshy aril. Status Native to Britain but also planted in churchyards.
    102334.jpg
  • CREEPING LADY’S-TRESSES Goodyera repens (Orchidaceae) Height to 25cm. Perennial with both creeping stems and upright, flowering stalks. Grows in mature and undisturbed conifer woodland (mainly Scots Pine). FLOWERS are white, slightly sticky and do not open fully; arranged in a spiral fashion, in open spikes (Jul-Aug). FRUITS are egg-shaped. LEAVES are oval, stalked, net-veined and evergreen. STATUS-Locally common only in Scotland and N England; rare in N Norfolk.
    139854.jpg
  • Coal Tit Parus ater L 10-11cm. Tiny, well-marked and warbler-like bird. Sexes are similar. Adult has white cheeks and white nape patch on otherwise black head. Back and wings are bluish grey and underparts are pale pinkish buff. Note two white wingbars and dark, needle-like bill. Juvenile is similar but colours and markings are less striking. Voice Utters a thin call. Song is repeated teechu-teechu-teechu…, higher pitched and more rapid than Great Tit.<br />
Status Fairly common resident of conifer forests and mixed and deciduous woodland.
    133425.jpg
  • Coal Tit Parus ater L 10-11cm. Tiny, well-marked and warbler-like bird. Sexes are similar. Adult has white cheeks and white nape patch on otherwise black head. Back and wings are bluish grey and underparts are pale pinkish buff. Note two white wingbars and dark, needle-like bill. Juvenile is similar but colours and markings are less striking. Voice Utters a thin call. Song is repeated teechu-teechu-teechu…, higher pitched and more rapid than Great Tit.<br />
Status Fairly common resident of conifer forests and mixed and deciduous woodland.
    143813.jpg
  • Coal Tit Periparus ater L 10-11cm. Tiny, well-marked and warbler-like bird. Sexes are similar. Adult has white cheeks and white nape patch on otherwise black head. Back and wings are bluish grey and underparts are pale pinkish buff. Note two white wingbars and dark, needle-like bill. Juvenile is similar but colours and markings are less striking. Voice Utters a thin call. Song is repeated teechu-teechu-teechu…, higher pitched and more rapid than Great Tit.<br />
Status Fairly common resident of conifer forests and mixed and deciduous woodland. "
    144861.jpg
  • Common Yew Taxus baccata Taxaceae Height to 25m<br />
Dense-foliaged, broadly conical conifer. Bark Reddish, peeling. Branches Level or ascending. LEAVES Flat, needle-like, to 4cm long, dark glossy green with 2 pale yellowish bands below. Reproductive parts Male and female flowers on separate trees. Males comprise yellowish anthers. Females are greenish; fruits surrounded by bright-red fleshy aril. Status Native to Britain but also planted in churchyards.
    157727.jpg
  • European Larch - Larix decidua Pinaceae. Height to 35m<br />
Deciduous, conical conifer. Foliage turns golden before needles fall in autumn. Bark Greyish-brown, fissured with age. Branches Mostly horizontal. Needles To 3cm long, in bunches of up to 40. Reproductive parts Male flowers are yellow cones. Female cones are red in spring, maturing brown and woody. Status Native of central Europe, planted here for timber and ornament.
    157445.jpg
  • European Larch Larix decidua Pinaceae Height to 35m<br />
Deciduous, conical conifer. Foliage turns golden before needles fall in autumn. Bark Greyish-brown, fissured with age. Branches Mostly horizontal. Needles To 3cm long, in bunches of up to 40. Reproductive parts Male flowers are yellow cones. Female cones are red in spring, maturing brown and woody. Status Native of central Europe, planted here for timber and ornament.
    134319.jpg
  • Common Larch Larix decidua Pinaceae Height to 35m<br />
Deciduous, conical conifer. Foliage turns golden before needles fall in autumn. Bark Greyish-brown, fissured with age. Branches Mostly horizontal. Needles To 3cm long, in bunches of up to 40. Reproductive parts Male flowers are yellow cones. Female cones are red in spring, maturing brown and woody. Status Native of central Europe, planted here for timber and ornament.
    144442.jpg
  • Common Larch Larix decidua Pinaceae Height to 35m<br />
Deciduous, conical conifer. Foliage turns golden before needles fall in autumn. Bark Greyish-brown, fissured with age. Branches Mostly horizontal. Needles To 3cm long, in bunches of up to 40. Reproductive parts Male flowers are yellow cones. Female cones are red in spring, maturing brown and woody. Status Native of central Europe, planted here for timber and ornament.
    144441.jpg
  • Common Yew Taxus baccata Taxaceae Height to 25m<br />
Dense-foliaged, broadly conical conifer. Bark Reddish, peeling. Branches Level or ascending. LEAVES Flat, needle-like, to 4cm long, dark glossy green with 2 pale yellowish bands below. Reproductive parts Male and female flowers on separate trees. Males comprise yellowish anthers. Females are greenish; fruits surrounded by bright-red fleshy aril. Status Native to Britain but also planted in churchyards.
    135230.jpg
  • Common Yew Taxus baccata Taxaceae Height to 25m<br />
Dense-foliaged, broadly conical conifer. Bark Reddish, peeling. Branches Level or ascending. LEAVES Flat, needle-like, to 4cm long, dark glossy green with 2 pale yellowish bands below. Reproductive parts Male and female flowers on separate trees. Males comprise yellowish anthers. Females are greenish; fruits surrounded by bright-red fleshy aril. Status Native to Britain but also planted in churchyards.
    135224.jpg
  • Swamp Cypress Taxodium distichum (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Deciduous conifer, conical at first, becoming broader and domed with maturity. When growing in or near water, fluted trunk is surrounded by emergent ‘breathing roots’ (likened by some to knobbly knees) characteristic of this species. BARK Pale reddish-brown, peeling in thin fibrous strips. BRANCHES Upright or spreading in older trees, carrying 2 types of shoots: long shoots bear spirally arranged leaves, and alternate side-shoots bear flattened leaves set in 2 ranks. LEAVES Alternate, up to 2cm long, and pale green; a greyish band on the underside has a fine midrib. A mature tree colours well in autumn before shedding its needles. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones produced in slender, branching clusters up to 15cm long at end of 1-year-old shoots. Female cones are globose and woody, on short stalks, ripening purplish-brown in first year. Each scale has a small curved spine in the centre. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of S and SE USA, planted here for ornament.
    135026.jpg
  • Noble Fir Abies procera (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 50m. Extremely large, narrowly conical conifer when mature BARK Silver-grey or purplish; develops shallow fissures with age. BRANCHES Youngest twigs are reddish-brown and hairy, with resinous buds at tip. LEAVES Bluntly pointed needles, 2-3cm long, grooved on upper surface; blue-grey colour is marked by paler bands on both surfaces. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are reddish and supported below shoot. Cylindrical female flowers, resembling small cones, are red or green and grow on upper side of shoot; green spine emerges beneath each scale. Cones, up to 25cm long, held erect on upper side of the branches. Disintegrate in winter, but may be so abundant that branches are damaged by their weight. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to Pacific NW USA. Planted in our region since 1850, reaching greatest size in Scotland.
    134702.jpg
  • Japanese Larch Larix kaempferi (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 40m. A deciduous conifer resembling Common Larch, but lacking the drooping shoots, and having a more twiggy appearance with a dense crown. BARK Reddish-brown, flaking off in scales. LEAVES Needles, growing in tufts of about 40, slightly broader, and greyer in colour than those of Common Larch. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are similar to those of Common Larch, but female cones are pink or cream in spring, becoming brown and woody in autumn, and differing from those of Common Larch in having turned-out tips to the scales, looking like woody rose-buds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but now very common in forestry plantations, replacing the Common Larch because of its more vigorous growth. Of less value to wildlife, because of the dense needle-litter that accumulates beneath it, and the later leaf-fall.
    134697.jpg
  • Common Yew Taxus baccata Taxaceae Height to 25m<br />
Dense-foliaged, broadly conical conifer. Bark Reddish, peeling. Branches Level or ascending. LEAVES Flat, needle-like, to 4cm long, dark glossy green with 2 pale yellowish bands below. Reproductive parts Male and female flowers on separate trees. Males comprise yellowish anthers. Females are greenish; fruits surrounded by bright-red fleshy aril. Status Native to Britain but also planted in churchyards.
    134503.jpg
  • Common Yew Taxus baccata Taxaceae Height to 25m<br />
Dense-foliaged, broadly conical conifer. Bark Reddish, peeling. Branches Level or ascending. LEAVES Flat, needle-like, to 4cm long, dark glossy green with 2 pale yellowish bands below. Reproductive parts Male and female flowers on separate trees. Males comprise yellowish anthers. Females are greenish; fruits surrounded by bright-red fleshy aril. Status Native to Britain but also planted in churchyards.
    133474.jpg
  • Japanese Larch Larix kaempferi (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 40m. A deciduous conifer resembling Common Larch, but lacking the drooping shoots, and having a more twiggy appearance with a dense crown. BARK Reddish-brown, flaking off in scales. LEAVES Needles, growing in tufts of about 40, slightly broader, and greyer in colour than those of Common Larch. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are similar to those of Common Larch, but female cones are pink or cream in spring, becoming brown and woody in autumn, and differing from those of Common Larch in having turned-out tips to the scales, looking like woody rose-buds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but now very common in forestry plantations, replacing the Common Larch because of its more vigorous growth. Of less value to wildlife, because of the dense needle-litter that accumulates beneath it, and the later leaf-fall.
    133277.jpg
  • Common Larch Larix decidua Pinaceae Height to 35m<br />
Deciduous, conical conifer. Foliage turns golden before needles fall in autumn. Bark Greyish-brown, fissured with age. Branches Mostly horizontal. Needles To 3cm long, in bunches of up to 40. Reproductive parts Male flowers are yellow cones. Female cones are red in spring, maturing brown and woody. Status Native of central Europe, planted here for timber and ornament.
    133222.jpg
  • Noble Fir Abies procera (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 50m. Extremely large, narrowly conical conifer when mature BARK Silver-grey or purplish; develops shallow fissures with age. BRANCHES Youngest twigs are reddish-brown and hairy, with resinous buds at tip. LEAVES Bluntly pointed needles, 2-3cm long, grooved on upper surface; blue-grey colour is marked by paler bands on both surfaces. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are reddish and supported below shoot. Cylindrical female flowers, resembling small cones, are red or green and grow on upper side of shoot; green spine emerges beneath each scale. Cones, up to 25cm long, held erect on upper side of the branches. Disintegrate in winter, but may be so abundant that branches are damaged by their weight. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to Pacific NW USA. Planted in our region since 1850, reaching greatest size in Scotland.
    132803.jpg
  • Dunkeld (Hybrid) Larch Larix x eurolepis (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 32m. Vigorous deciduous conifer, conical in outline when mature. Shares characteristics with both parents (Common Larch and Japanese Larch); most features intermediate between the 2 but rather variable. BARK Similar to Japanese Larch. LEAVES Dark green needles, to 5cm long. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Female cones are pinkish at first, but ripen yellow-brown and have slightly reflexed scales with projecting bracts. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION More vigorous than either parents, and copes better with harsh conditions and poor soils; quite widely planted, mostly for timber but occasionally for ornament
    132734.jpg
  • Dawn Redwood Metasequoia glyptostroboides (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Conical deciduous conifer with shoots and leaves in opposite pairs. Trunk tapers and is buttressed at base, becoming ridged in older trees. BARK Rich reddish-brown, peeling in vertical strips. LEAVES 2.5cm long, flat and needle-like, pale green at first, becoming darker green later; on short, lateral shoots that are shed in autumn. Leaves emerge early in spring, and turn yellow, pink or red before falling. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers are produced on young shoots in separate clusters on same tree in spring. Males are yellow; females greenish, producing rounded green, then brown cones about 2.5cm across. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SW China, unknown as a living tree (known only from fossil records) until 1941. Now a popular garden tree.
    132647.jpg
  • Japanese Larch Larix kaempferi (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 40m. A deciduous conifer resembling Common Larch, but lacking the drooping shoots, and having a more twiggy appearance with a dense crown. BARK Reddish-brown, flaking off in scales. LEAVES Needles, growing in tufts of about 40, slightly broader, and greyer in colour than those of Common Larch. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are similar to those of Common Larch, but female cones are pink or cream in spring, becoming brown and woody in autumn, and differing from those of Common Larch in having turned-out tips to the scales, looking like woody rose-buds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but now very common in forestry plantations, replacing the Common Larch because of its more vigorous growth. Of less value to wildlife, because of the dense needle-litter that accumulates beneath it, and the later leaf-fall.
    132629.jpg
  • Swamp Cypress Taxodium distichum (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Deciduous conifer, conical at first, becoming broader and domed with maturity. When growing in or near water, fluted trunk is surrounded by emergent ‘breathing roots’ (likened by some to knobbly knees) characteristic of this species. BARK Pale reddish-brown, peeling in thin fibrous strips. BRANCHES Upright or spreading in older trees, carrying 2 types of shoots: long shoots bear spirally arranged leaves, and alternate side-shoots bear flattened leaves set in 2 ranks. LEAVES Alternate, up to 2cm long, and pale green; a greyish band on the underside has a fine midrib. A mature tree colours well in autumn before shedding its needles. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones produced in slender, branching clusters up to 15cm long at end of 1-year-old shoots. Female cones are globose and woody, on short stalks, ripening purplish-brown in first year. Each scale has a small curved spine in the centre. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of S and SE USA, planted here for ornament.
    132628.jpg
  • Dawn Redwood Metasequoia glyptostroboides (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Conical deciduous conifer with shoots and leaves in opposite pairs. Trunk tapers and is buttressed at base, becoming ridged in older trees. BARK Rich reddish-brown, peeling in vertical strips. LEAVES 2.5cm long, flat and needle-like, pale green at first, becoming darker green later; on short, lateral shoots that are shed in autumn. Leaves emerge early in spring, and turn yellow, pink or red before falling. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers are produced on young shoots in separate clusters on same tree in spring. Males are yellow; females greenish, producing rounded green, then brown cones about 2.5cm across. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SW China, unknown as a living tree (known only from fossil records) until 1941. Now a popular garden tree.
    132294.jpg
  • Dawn Redwood Metasequoia glyptostroboides (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 35m. Conical deciduous conifer with shoots and leaves in opposite pairs. Trunk tapers and is buttressed at base, becoming ridged in older trees. BARK Rich reddish-brown, peeling in vertical strips. LEAVES 2.5cm long, flat and needle-like, pale green at first, becoming darker green later; on short, lateral shoots that are shed in autumn. Leaves emerge early in spring, and turn yellow, pink or red before falling. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers are produced on young shoots in separate clusters on same tree in spring. Males are yellow; females greenish, producing rounded green, then brown cones about 2.5cm across. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SW China, unknown as a living tree (known only from fossil records) until 1941. Now a popular garden tree.
    132274.jpg
  • Common Larch Larix decidua Pinaceae Height to 35m<br />
Deciduous, conical conifer. Foliage turns golden before needles fall in autumn. Bark Greyish-brown, fissured with age. Branches Mostly horizontal. Needles To 3cm long, in bunches of up to 40. Reproductive parts Male flowers are yellow cones. Female cones are red in spring, maturing brown and woody. Status Native of central Europe, planted here for timber and ornament.
    129490.jpg
  • CHICKWEED WINTERGREEN Trientalis europaea (Primulaceae) Height to 20cm. Spreading, delicate perennial of mature, northern conifer forests. FLOWERS are 12-18mm across and star-shaped with 7 white petals; 1 or 2 are borne on long, slender stalks (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are ovate; borne mainly in a whorl near the top of the stem. STATUS-Very locally common in Scotland and scarce in N England.
    137927.jpg
  • CHICKWEED WINTERGREEN Trientalis europaea (Primulaceae) Height to 20cm. Spreading, delicate perennial of mature, northern conifer forests. FLOWERS are 12-18mm across and star-shaped with 7 white petals; 1 or 2 are borne on long, slender stalks (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are ovate; borne mainly in a whorl near the top of the stem. STATUS-Very locally common in Scotland and scarce in N England.
    137925.jpg
  • CHICKWEED WINTERGREEN Trientalis europaea (Primulaceae) Height to 20cm. Spreading, delicate perennial of mature, northern conifer forests. FLOWERS are 12-18mm across and star-shaped with 7 white petals; 1 or 2 are borne on long, slender stalks (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are capsules. LEAVES are ovate; borne mainly in a whorl near the top of the stem. STATUS-Very locally common in Scotland and scarce in N England.
    137924.jpg
  • LESSER TWAYBLADE Listera cordata (Orchidaceae) Height to 20cm. Charming little orchid of moorland and conifer forests. Surprisingly easy to overlook on account of its size, and because it often grows under clumps of Heather. FLOWERS are small (2-3mm long) and reddish, comprising a hood and a forked lip; borne on a reddish stem, in a loose spike of 5-12 flowers (Jun-Aug). FRUITS form at the base of the flowers, altering the appearance of the reddish flowering spike very little. LEAVES comprise a pair of oval basal leaves, up to 4cm long. STATUS-Widespread but distinctly local in northern and north-west regions. Scarce or absent south of north Wales, the species’ southernmost outpost being on Exmoor.
    132031.jpg
  • Coal Tit Parus ater L 10-11cm. Tiny, well-marked and warbler-like bird. Sexes are similar. Adult has white cheeks and white nape patch on otherwise black head. Back and wings are bluish grey and underparts are pale pinkish buff. Note two white wingbars and dark, needle-like bill. Juvenile is similar but colours and markings are less striking. Voice Utters a thin call. Song is repeated teechu-teechu-teechu…, higher pitched and more rapid than Great Tit.<br />
Status Fairly common resident of conifer forests and mixed and deciduous woodland.
    115043.jpg
  • Coal Tit Parus ater L 10-11cm. Tiny, well-marked and warbler-like bird. Sexes are similar. Adult has white cheeks and white nape patch on otherwise black head. Back and wings are bluish grey and underparts are pale pinkish buff. Note two white wingbars and dark, needle-like bill. Juvenile is similar but colours and markings are less striking. Voice Utters a thin call. Song is repeated teechu-teechu-teechu…, higher pitched and more rapid than Great Tit.<br />
Status Fairly common resident of conifer forests and mixed and deciduous woodland.
    133128.jpg
  • Coal Tit Periparus ater L 10-11cm. Tiny, well-marked and warbler-like bird. Sexes are similar. Adult has white cheeks and white nape patch on otherwise black head. Back and wings are bluish grey and underparts are pale pinkish buff. Note two white wingbars and dark, needle-like bill. Juvenile is similar but colours and markings are less striking. Voice Utters a thin call. Song is repeated teechu-teechu-teechu…, higher pitched and more rapid than Great Tit.<br />
Status Fairly common resident of conifer forests and mixed and deciduous woodland.
    136783.jpg
  • Coal Tit Periparus ater L 10-11cm. Tiny, well-marked and warbler-like bird. Sexes are similar. Adult has white cheeks and white nape patch on otherwise black head. Back and wings are bluish grey and underparts are pale pinkish buff. Note two white wingbars and dark, needle-like bill. Juvenile is similar but colours and markings are less striking. Voice Utters a thin call. Song is repeated teechu-teechu-teechu…, higher pitched and more rapid than Great Tit.<br />
Status Fairly common resident of conifer forests and mixed and deciduous woodland.
    144862.jpg
  • Coal Tit Periparus ater L 10-11cm. Tiny, well-marked and warbler-like bird. Sexes are similar. Adult has white cheeks and white nape patch on otherwise black head. Back and wings are bluish grey and underparts are pale pinkish buff. Note two white wingbars and dark, needle-like bill. Juvenile is similar but colours and markings are less striking. Voice Utters a thin call. Song is repeated teechu-teechu-teechu…, higher pitched and more rapid than Great Tit.<br />
Status Fairly common resident of conifer forests and mixed and deciduous woodland.
    144873.jpg
  • Coal Tit Periparus ater L 10-11cm. Tiny, well-marked and warbler-like bird. Sexes are similar. Adult has white cheeks and white nape patch on otherwise black head. Back and wings are bluish grey and underparts are pale pinkish buff. Note two white wingbars and dark, needle-like bill. Juvenile is similar but colours and markings are less striking. Voice Utters a thin call. Song is repeated teechu-teechu-teechu…, higher pitched and more rapid than Great Tit.<br />
Status Fairly common resident of conifer forests and mixed and deciduous woodland.
    145295.jpg
  • Common Larch Larix decidua Pinaceae. Female flowers.  Height to 35m. Deciduous, conical conifer. Foliage turns golden before needles fall in autumn. Bark Greyish-brown, fissured with age. Branches Mostly horizontal. Needles To 3cm long, in bunches of up to 40. Reproductive parts Male flowers are yellow cones. Female cones are red in spring, maturing brown and woody. Status Native of central Europe, planted here for timber and ornament.
    144439.jpg
  • Common Yew Taxus baccata Taxaceae Height to 25m<br />
Dense-foliaged, broadly conical conifer. Bark Reddish, peeling. Branches Level or ascending. LEAVES Flat, needle-like, to 4cm long, dark glossy green with 2 pale yellowish bands below. Reproductive parts Male and female flowers on separate trees. Males comprise yellowish anthers. Females are greenish; fruits surrounded by bright-red fleshy aril. Status Native to Britain but also planted in churchyards.
    135223.jpg
  • Noble Fir Abies procera (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 50m. Extremely large, narrowly conical conifer when mature BARK Silver-grey or purplish; develops shallow fissures with age. BRANCHES Youngest twigs are reddish-brown and hairy, with resinous buds at tip. LEAVES Bluntly pointed needles, 2-3cm long, grooved on upper surface; blue-grey colour is marked by paler bands on both surfaces. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are reddish and supported below shoot. Cylindrical female flowers, resembling small cones, are red or green and grow on upper side of shoot; green spine emerges beneath each scale. Cones, up to 25cm long, held erect on upper side of the branches. Disintegrate in winter, but may be so abundant that branches are damaged by their weight. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to Pacific NW USA. Planted in our region since 1850, reaching greatest size in Scotland.
    134701.jpg
  • Common Larch Larix decidua Pinaceae Height to 35m<br />
Deciduous, conical conifer. Foliage turns golden before needles fall in autumn. Bark Greyish-brown, fissured with age. Branches Mostly horizontal. Needles To 3cm long, in bunches of up to 40. Reproductive parts Male flowers are yellow cones. Female cones are red in spring, maturing brown and woody. Status Native of central Europe, planted here for timber and ornament.
    134673.jpg
  • Japanese Larch Larix kaempferi (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 40m. A deciduous conifer resembling Common Larch, but lacking the drooping shoots, and having a more twiggy appearance with a dense crown. BARK Reddish-brown, flaking off in scales. LEAVES Needles, growing in tufts of about 40, slightly broader, and greyer in colour than those of Common Larch. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are similar to those of Common Larch, but female cones are pink or cream in spring, becoming brown and woody in autumn, and differing from those of Common Larch in having turned-out tips to the scales, looking like woody rose-buds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but now very common in forestry plantations, replacing the Common Larch because of its more vigorous growth. Of less value to wildlife, because of the dense needle-litter that accumulates beneath it, and the later leaf-fall.
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  • Dunkeld (Hybrid) Larch Larix x eurolepis (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 32m. Vigorous deciduous conifer, conical in outline when mature. Shares characteristics with both parents (Common Larch and Japanese Larch); most features intermediate between the 2 but rather variable. BARK Similar to Japanese Larch. LEAVES Dark green needles, to 5cm long. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Female cones are pinkish at first, but ripen yellow-brown and have slightly reflexed scales with projecting bracts. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION More vigorous than either parents, and copes better with harsh conditions and poor soils; quite widely planted, mostly for timber but occasionally for ornament.
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  • Coal Tit - Parus ater. L 10-11cm. Tiny, well-marked and warbler-like bird. Sexes are similar. Adult has white cheeks and white nape patch on otherwise black head. Back and wings are bluish grey and underparts are pale pinkish buff. Note two white wingbars and dark, needle-like bill. Juvenile is similar but colours and markings are less striking. Voice Utters a thin call. Song is repeated teechu-teechu-teechu…, higher pitched and more rapid than Great Tit.<br />
Status Fairly common resident of conifer forests and mixed and deciduous woodland.
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  • Goldcrest Regulus regulus L 9cm. Our smallest bird. Recalls a Phylloscopus warbler but note large head and white-ringed dark eye and colourful crown stripe. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult has greenish upperparts with 2 pale wingbars, and yellow-buff underparts. Note black-bordered crown stripe (orange in male, yellow in female). Juvenile is similar but crown stripe is absent. Voice Utters a thin, high-pitched tsee-tsee-tsee. Song is a series of high-pitched phrases that ends in a flourish. Status Common woodland resident; favours conifers but also found in deciduous woods, especially in winter. Migrants from N Europe boost numbers outside breeding season.
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  • Giant Fir Abies grandis (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 55m Map<br />
Magnificent when mature. Fast-growing conifers, reaching a height of 40m in as many years. LEAVES Note the comb-like arrangement of soft, shining-green needles, borne in 2 rows on either side of downy olive-green twigs. Needles are up to 5cm long with a notched tip and 2 pale bands below; orange-scented when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones are smooth, less than 10cm long and are produced high up on trees at least 50 years old; they break up on tree to release seeds, STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of coastal W USA. Planted in our region for ornament and sometimes commercially.
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