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  • Monterey Pine Pinus radiata (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 45m <br />
Large, variable pine, slender and conical when growing vigorously, becoming more domed and flat-topped on a long bole with age. BARK Fissured and grey, blackening with age. BRANCHES Main ones sometimes hang low enough to touch ground. LEAVES Bright-green needles in bunches of 3; each needle is thin and straight, to 15cm long, with a finely toothed margin and harp-pointed tip. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers grow in dense clusters near ends of twigs, releasing pollen in spring. Female cones grow in clusters of 3–5 around tips of shoots, ripening to large, solid woody cones, to 15cm long and 9cm across, with a characteristic asymmetrical shape. Cone scales are thick and woody with rounded outer edges, and conceal black, winged seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBTUION Native to a small area around Monterey, California, Guadalupe Island and Baja California, Mexico. Widely planted here in mild areas as a shelter-belt tree or for ornament, growing well next to the sea.
    130379.jpg
  • Monterey Pine Pinus radiata (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 45m <br />
Large, variable pine, slender and conical when growing vigorously, becoming more domed and flat-topped on a long bole with age. BARK Fissured and grey, blackening with age. BRANCHES Main ones sometimes hang low enough to touch ground. LEAVES Bright-green needles in bunches of 3; each needle is thin and straight, to 15cm long, with a finely toothed margin and harp-pointed tip. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers grow in dense clusters near ends of twigs, releasing pollen in spring. Female cones grow in clusters of 3–5 around tips of shoots, ripening to large, solid woody cones, to 15cm long and 9cm across, with a characteristic asymmetrical shape. Cone scales are thick and woody with rounded outer edges, and conceal black, winged seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBTUION Native to a small area around Monterey, California, Guadalupe Island and Baja California, Mexico. Widely planted here in mild areas as a shelter-belt tree or for ornament, growing well next to the sea. Vigorous when young.
    132433.jpg
  • Monterey Pine Pinus radiata (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 45m <br />
Large, variable pine, slender and conical when growing vigorously, becoming more domed and flat-topped on a long bole with age. BARK Fissured and grey, blackening with age. BRANCHES Main ones sometimes hang low enough to touch ground. LEAVES Bright-green needles in bunches of 3; each needle is thin and straight, to 15cm long, with a finely toothed margin and harp-pointed tip. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers grow in dense clusters near ends of twigs, releasing pollen in spring. Female cones grow in clusters of 3–5 around tips of shoots, ripening to large, solid woody cones, to 15cm long and 9cm across, with a characteristic asymmetrical shape. Cone scales are thick and woody with rounded outer edges, and conceal black, winged seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBTUION Native to a small area around Monterey, California, Guadalupe Island and Baja California, Mexico. Widely planted here in mild areas as a shelter-belt tree or for ornament, growing well next to the sea.
    130367.jpg
  • Japanese Umbrella Pine Sciadopitys verticillata (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 23m. Broadly conical evergreen, often with a finely tapering crown, but may be bushy. BARK Red-brown, peeling in long vertical strips. LEAVES Needle-like, up to 12cm long and borne in umbrella-like clusters. Needles are deeply grooved on both sides, dark green above, but more yellow below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellow and produced in clusters; female flowers are green, and grow at tips of shoots, ripening into ovoid, 7.5cm-long, red-brown cones after 2 years. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but grows well in many parts of Britain and Europe.
    134983.jpg
  • Syrian Juniper Juniperus drupacea (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 18m. Shapely evergreen, forming a slender, tall column of compact, bright-green foliage. Occasionally the trunk and crown divide to make a more conical tree. BARK Orange-brown, peeling away in thin shreds. LEAVES Needle-like, pointed with a spine and 2 pale bands on the underside, and are longer than any other Juniper at 2.5cm. Needles grow in bunches of 3. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male trees produce tiny, bright yellowish-green, oval flowers. Female trees produce tiny green flowers in small clusters at the tips of twigs, opening in spring, and these develop into rounded, woody cones, about 2cm in diameter, which turn purple-brown when mature. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of mountain forests in W Asia; range just extends into Greece. Occasionally planted in British and Irish gardens.
    134970.jpg
  • Maritime Pine Pinus pinaster (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 32m <br />
Has a sturdy, slightly tapering bole, often curved in exposed coastal areas, the crown fairly open, reflecting curve of bole. BARK Yellowish-brown, breaking into rectangular flakes. LEAVES Needles, the longest and thickest of any 2-needle pine. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers yellow and ovoid, in clusters near shoot tips. Female cones ovoid, red at first, in small clusters, ripening conical and woody with a greenish-brown gloss. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SW Atlantic coasts of Europe and Mediterranean. Grows well on poor sandy soils, often on heaths and near coasts.
    134691.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
  • Japanese Umbrella Pine Sciadopitys verticillata (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 23m. Broadly conical evergreen, often with a finely tapering crown, but may be bushy. BARK Red-brown, peeling in long vertical strips. LEAVES Needle-like, up to 12cm long and borne in umbrella-like clusters. Needles are deeply grooved on both sides, dark green above, but more yellow below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellow and produced in clusters; female flowers are green, and grow at tips of shoots, ripening into ovoid, 7.5cm-long, red-brown cones after 2 years. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but grows well in many parts of Britain and Europe.
    132648.jpg
  • Japanese Umbrella Pine Sciadopitys verticillata (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 23m. Broadly conical evergreen, often with a finely tapering crown, but may be bushy. BARK Red-brown, peeling in long vertical strips. LEAVES Needle-like, up to 12cm long and borne in umbrella-like clusters. Needles are deeply grooved on both sides, dark green above, but more yellow below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellow and produced in clusters; female flowers are green, and grow at tips of shoots, ripening into ovoid, 7.5cm-long, red-brown cones after 2 years. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but grows well in many parts of Britain and Europe.
    132645.jpg
  • Japanese Umbrella Pine Sciadopitys verticillata (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 23m. Broadly conical evergreen, often with a finely tapering crown, but may be bushy. BARK Red-brown, peeling in long vertical strips. LEAVES Needle-like, up to 12cm long and borne in umbrella-like clusters. Needles are deeply grooved on both sides, dark green above, but more yellow below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellow and produced in clusters; female flowers are green, and grow at tips of shoots, ripening into ovoid, 7.5cm-long, red-brown cones after 2 years. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but grows well in many parts of Britain and Europe.
    134944.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.
    134669.jpg
  • Maritime Pine Pinus pinaster (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 32m <br />
Has a sturdy, slightly tapering bole, often curved in exposed coastal areas, the crown fairly open, reflecting curve of bole. BARK Yellowish-brown, breaking into rectangular flakes. LEAVES Needles, the longest and thickest of any 2-needle pine. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers yellow and ovoid, in clusters near shoot tips. Female cones ovoid, red at first, in small clusters, ripening conical and woody with a greenish-brown gloss. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SW Atlantic coasts of Europe and Mediterranean. Grows well on poor sandy soils, often on heaths and near coasts.
    134631.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
  • Syrian Juniper Juniperus drupacea (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 18m. Shapely evergreen, forming a slender, tall column of compact, bright-green foliage. Occasionally the trunk and crown divide to make a more conical tree. BARK Orange-brown, peeling away in thin shreds. LEAVES Needle-like, pointed with a spine and 2 pale bands on the underside, and are longer than any other Juniper at 2.5cm. Needles grow in bunches of 3. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male trees produce tiny, bright yellowish-green, oval flowers. Female trees produce tiny green flowers in small clusters at the tips of twigs, opening in spring, and these develop into rounded, woody cones, about 2cm in diameter, which turn purple-brown when mature. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of mountain forests in W Asia; range just extends into Greece. Occasionally planted in British and Irish gardens.
    117560.jpg
  • Japanese Umbrella Pine Sciadopitys verticillata (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 23m. Broadly conical evergreen, often with a finely tapering crown, but may be bushy. BARK Red-brown, peeling in long vertical strips. LEAVES Needle-like, up to 12cm long and borne in umbrella-like clusters. Needles are deeply grooved on both sides, dark green above, but more yellow below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellow and produced in clusters; female flowers are green, and grow at tips of shoots, ripening into ovoid, 7.5cm-long, red-brown cones after 2 years. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but grows well in many parts of Britain and Europe.
    134913.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
  • 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
  • Brewer’s (Weeping) Spruce Picea breweriana (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 20m <br />
Markedly conical evergreen with a slender bole. BARK Grey-purple scaly bark. BRANCHES With pale brownish or pink, downy twigs. Note the striking ‘weeping’ habit of shoots along branches. LEAVES Flattened, needle-like, and sharply pointed to 3cm long, green above with white bands below; grow all round shoot and often curve forwards. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are large for a spruce, to 2cm across, and reddish; female cones are pendent, cylindrical, to 12cm long, starting purplish but ripening brown. Overlapping scales have blunt, rounded tips. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to W USA. Popularly planted in our region and graceful in maturity.
    132783.jpg
  • Meyer’s Juniper Juniperus squamata ‘Meyeri’ similar to Chinese Juniper J. chinensis (Height to 11m) Small conical evergreen with striking blue-grey foliage when young. Needle-like leaves have paler stripe on underside. Bark of mature trees peels in thin pinkish-brown scales. Tolerates poor soils and tough growing conditions so suited to town gardens.
    132724.jpg
  • Chilean Plum Yew Prumnopitys andina (Podocarpus andinus) (Podocarpaceae) HEIGHT to 20m<br />
Resembles a yew, but unrelated. Grows either with a single upright bole and horizontal branches, or sometimes with several boles and more upright branches. BARK Dark grey and smooth with occasional scars and ridges. LEAVES Flattened, needle-like and up to 2.5cm long; deep bluish-green on upper surface with 2 pale bands on underside. Leaves are much softer than true yew leaves, except in young trees when they are more leathery and bear small spines. Borne in dense shoots, either arranged in 2 ranks on either side of the shoot or spread all round it. FLOWERS Male catkins are yellow and borne in branched clusters near the ends of shoots. Female flowers are greenish and produced in small spikes at the tips of the shoots. The flowers occur on different-sex plants, opening in the spring. FRUITS resemble small green plums at first, containing a single seed, and may ripen to become blackened and covered with a fine bloom like sloes. <br />
STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the mountains of Argentina and Chile.
    132464.jpg
  • Chinese Juniper Juniperus chinensis (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 18m. Large evergreen with dark-green foliage and a sparse habit when mature. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling in vertical strips. BRANCHES Level to ascending. LEAVES Young leaves needle-like, 8mm long with sharply pointed tips and 2 bluish stripes on upper surface; mostly in clusters of 3 at base of adult shoots, radiating at right-angles. Adult leaves small and scale-like, closely adpressed to shoot. Crushed leaves smell of cats. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones small, yellow; grow on tips of shoots. Female cones rounded, up to 7mm long, bluish-white at first, ripening purplish-brown in second year. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan and China, often planted in our region in parks, gardens and churchyards
    134936.jpg
  • California Nutmeg Torreya californica (Taxaceae) HEIGHT to 20m. Broadly conical tree with a stout bole in mature specimens, producing high-quality timber. BARK Reddish grey with narrow ridges. BRANCHES long and almost horizontal in mature trees, supporting descending lines of greenish shoots. LEAVES Needle-like with two pale greyish bands on the underside; grow in a row on each side of shoot, and smell of sage if crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Trees are usually either male or female. Male flowers resemble small yellowish catkins, borne on undersides of shoots. Fruits are ovoid, 5cm long, and green with pur¬plish streaks; resemble nutmegs and contain a single (inedible) seed. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of mountain woodlands in California. Often planted in mature gardens in Britain.
    134657.jpg
  • Chilean Plum Yew Prumnopitys andina (Podocarpus andinus) (Podocarpaceae) HEIGHT to 20m<br />
Resembles a yew, but unrelated. Grows either with a single upright bole and horizontal branches, or sometimes with several boles and more upright branches. BARK Dark grey and smooth with occasional scars and ridges. LEAVES Flattened, needle-like and up to 2.5cm long; deep bluish-green on upper surface with 2 pale bands on underside. Leaves are much softer than true yew leaves, except in young trees when they are more leathery and bear small spines. Borne in dense shoots, either arranged in 2 ranks on either side of the shoot or spread all round it. FLOWERS Male catkins are yellow and borne in branched clusters near the ends of shoots. Female flowers are greenish and produced in small spikes at the tips of the shoots. The flowers occur on different-sex plants, opening in the spring. FRUITS resemble small green plums at first, containing a single seed, and may ripen to become blackened and covered with a fine bloom like sloes. <br />
STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the mountains of Argentina and Chile.
    134612.jpg
  • Common Juniper Juniperus communis Cupressaceae Height to 6m. Aromatic evergreen shrub or small tree. Bark Reddish-brown, peeling. Branches With 3-angled twigs. Leaves Needle-like, to 2cm long, in whorls of 3. Foliage is gin- or apple-scented. Reproductive parts Male cones small and yellow. Female cones to 9mm long and green, ripening through blue-green to black in 2nd year. Status Native of chalk downland in S England and moors and limestone crags in N Britain.
    134435.jpg
  • Coastal Redwood Sequoia sempervirens (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 50m. An impressively large evergreen, growing to be the tallest tree in the world in its native California and Oregon. Forms a conical to columnar tree with a tapering trunk arising from a broader, buttressed base. BARK Thick and reddish-brown, becoming spongy, eventually deeply fissured and peeling. BRANCHES Mostly arise horizontally or are slightly pendulous. LEAVES Green twigs support a unique combination of 2 types of leaves arranged in spirals; leading shoots have scale-like leaves, up to 8mm long, clasping the stem, and side-shoots have longer, flattened, needle-like leaves up to 2cm long, lying in 2 rows. Crushed foliage smells of grapefruit.<br />
REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female cones are produced on the same tree. The small yellow male cones grow on the tips of main shoots, releasing pollen in early spring. The pale-brown female cones grow singly on the tips of shoots, becoming 2cm long and ovoid. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of California and Oregon, growing best in the hills where the permanent sea-mists keep the trees supplied with moisture. Unsurprisingly, the biggest British and Irish specimens are in the west and north of the region.
    132872.jpg
  • Coastal Redwood Sequoia sempervirens (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 50m. An impressively large evergreen, growing to be the tallest tree in the world in its native California and Oregon. Forms a conical to columnar tree with a tapering trunk arising from a broader, buttressed base. BARK Thick and reddish-brown, becoming spongy, eventually deeply fissured and peeling. BRANCHES Mostly arise horizontally or are slightly pendulous. LEAVES Green twigs support a unique combination of 2 types of leaves arranged in spirals; leading shoots have scale-like leaves, up to 8mm long, clasping the stem, and side-shoots have longer, flattened, needle-like leaves up to 2cm long, lying in 2 rows. Crushed foliage smells of grapefruit.<br />
REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female cones are produced on the same tree. The small yellow male cones grow on the tips of main shoots, releasing pollen in early spring. The pale-brown female cones grow singly on the tips of shoots, becoming 2cm long and ovoid. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of California and Oregon, growing best in the hills where the permanent sea-mists keep the trees supplied with moisture. Unsurprisingly, the biggest British and Irish specimens are in the west and north of the region.
    132650.jpg
  • Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita L 11cm. Tiny warbler, best known for its onomatopoeic song. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have grey-brown upperparts and pale, greyish underparts suffused with yellow-buff on throat and breast. Bill is needle-like and legs are black; latter feature helps separate silent individuals from similar Willow Warbler. Voice Call is a soft hueet. Song is continually repeated chiff-chaff or tsip-tsap. Status Common summer visitor to mature deciduous woodland with a dense understorey of shrubs. Most migrate south to Mediterranean region in autumn but several hundred overwinter in S Britain.
    140863.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.
    144789.jpg
  • Brewer’s (Weeping) Spruce Picea breweriana (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 20m <br />
Markedly conical evergreen with a slender bole. BARK Grey-purple scaly bark. BRANCHES With pale brownish or pink, downy twigs. Note the striking ‘weeping’ habit of shoots along branches. LEAVES Flattened, needle-like, and sharply pointed to 3cm long, green above with white bands below; grow all round shoot and often curve forwards. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are large for a spruce, to 2cm across, and reddish; female cones are pendent, cylindrical, to 12cm long, starting purplish but ripening brown. Overlapping scales have blunt, rounded tips. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to W USA. Popularly planted in our region and graceful in maturity.
    134884.jpg
  • Drooping Juniper Juniperus recurva (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 14m. Small evergreen with ascending branches but drooping foliage. Outline broadly conical. BARK Greyish-brown, peeling in long untidy shreds. LEAVES Tough and needle-like, clasping shoots; paint-like smell when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are yellow, growing in small clusters at tips of shoots. Female cones are produced at ends of shoots and become oval, black and berry-like when mature, growing to 8mm across. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SW China and the Himalayas; planted in our region for ornament.
    134469.jpg
  • Drooping Juniper Juniperus recurva (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 14m. Small evergreen with ascending branches but drooping foliage. Outline broadly conical. BARK Greyish-brown, peeling in long untidy shreds. LEAVES Tough and needle-like, clasping shoots; paint-like smell when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are yellow, growing in small clusters at tips of shoots. Female cones are produced at ends of shoots and become oval, black and berry-like when mature, growing to 8mm across. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SW China and the Himalayas; planted in our region for ornament.
    132722.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
  • Common Juniper Juniperus communis Cupressaceae Height to 6m. Aromatic evergreen shrub or small tree. Bark Reddish-brown, peeling. Branches With 3-angled twigs. Leaves Needle-like, to 2cm long, in whorls of 3. Foliage is gin- or apple-scented. Reproductive parts Male cones small and yellow. Female cones to 9mm long and green, ripening through blue-green to black in 2nd year. Status Native of chalk downland in S England and moors and limestone crags in N Britain.
    104952.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
  • Meyer’s Juniper Juniperus squamata ‘Meyeri’ similar to Chinese Juniper J. chinensis (Height to 11m) Small conical evergreen with striking blue-grey foliage when young. Needle-like leaves have paler stripe on underside. Bark of mature trees peels in thin pinkish-brown scales. Tolerates poor soils and tough growing conditions so suited to town gardens.
    134965.jpg
  • Chinese Juniper Juniperus chinensis (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 18m. Large evergreen with dark-green foliage and a sparse habit when mature. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling in vertical strips. BRANCHES Level to ascending. LEAVES Young leaves needle-like, 8mm long with sharply pointed tips and 2 bluish stripes on upper surface; mostly in clusters of 3 at base of adult shoots, radiating at right-angles. Adult leaves small and scale-like, closely adpressed to shoot. Crushed leaves smell of cats. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones small, yellow; grow on tips of shoots. Female cones rounded, up to 7mm long, bluish-white at first, ripening purplish-brown in second year. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan and China, often planted in our region in parks, gardens and churchyards
    134922.jpg
  • Drooping Juniper Juniperus recurva (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 14m. Small evergreen with ascending branches but drooping foliage. Outline broadly conical. BARK Greyish-brown, peeling in long untidy shreds. LEAVES Tough and needle-like, clasping shoots; paint-like smell when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are yellow, growing in small clusters at tips of shoots. Female cones are produced at ends of shoots and become oval, black and berry-like when mature, growing to 8mm across. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SW China and the Himalayas; planted in our region for ornament.
    134918.jpg
  • Chilean Plum Yew Prumnopitys andina (Podocarpus andinus) (Podocarpaceae) HEIGHT to 20m<br />
Resembles a yew, but unrelated. Grows either with a single upright bole and horizontal branches, or sometimes with several boles and more upright branches. BARK Dark grey and smooth with occasional scars and ridges. LEAVES Flattened, needle-like and up to 2.5cm long; deep bluish-green on upper surface with 2 pale bands on underside. Leaves are much softer than true yew leaves, except in young trees when they are more leathery and bear small spines. Borne in dense shoots, either arranged in 2 ranks on either side of the shoot or spread all round it. FLOWERS Male catkins are yellow and borne in branched clusters near the ends of shoots. Female flowers are greenish and produced in small spikes at the tips of the shoots. The flowers occur on different-sex plants, opening in the spring. FRUITS resemble small green plums at first, containing a single seed, and may ripen to become blackened and covered with a fine bloom like sloes. <br />
STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the mountains of Argentina and Chile.
    134653.jpg
  • Brewer’s (Weeping) Spruce Picea breweriana (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 20m <br />
Markedly conical evergreen with a slender bole. BARK Grey-purple scaly bark. BRANCHES With pale brownish or pink, downy twigs. Note the striking ‘weeping’ habit of shoots along branches. LEAVES Flattened, needle-like, and sharply pointed to 3cm long, green above with white bands below; grow all round shoot and often curve forwards. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are large for a spruce, to 2cm across, and reddish; female cones are pendent, cylindrical, to 12cm long, starting purplish but ripening brown. Overlapping scales have blunt, rounded tips. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to W USA. Popularly planted in our region and graceful in maturity.
    132860.jpg
  • Brewer’s (Weeping) Spruce Picea breweriana (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 20m <br />
Markedly conical evergreen with a slender bole. BARK Grey-purple scaly bark. BRANCHES With pale brownish or pink, downy twigs. Note the striking ‘weeping’ habit of shoots along branches. LEAVES Flattened, needle-like, and sharply pointed to 3cm long, green above with white bands below; grow all round shoot and often curve forwards. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are large for a spruce, to 2cm across, and reddish; female cones are pendent, cylindrical, to 12cm long, starting purplish but ripening brown. Overlapping scales have blunt, rounded tips. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to W USA. Popularly planted in our region and graceful in maturity.
    132784.jpg
  • Chilean Plum Yew Prumnopitys andina (Podocarpus andinus) (Podocarpaceae) HEIGHT to 20m<br />
Resembles a yew, but unrelated. Grows either with a single upright bole and horizontal branches, or sometimes with several boles and more upright branches. BARK Dark grey and smooth with occasional scars and ridges. LEAVES Flattened, needle-like and up to 2.5cm long; deep bluish-green on upper surface with 2 pale bands on underside. Leaves are much softer than true yew leaves, except in young trees when they are more leathery and bear small spines. Borne in dense shoots, either arranged in 2 ranks on either side of the shoot or spread all round it. FLOWERS Male catkins are yellow and borne in branched clusters near the ends of shoots. Female flowers are greenish and produced in small spikes at the tips of the shoots. The flowers occur on different-sex plants, opening in the spring. FRUITS resemble small green plums at first, containing a single seed, and may ripen to become blackened and covered with a fine bloom like sloes. <br />
STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the mountains of Argentina and Chile.
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  • Common Juniper Juniperus communis Cupressaceae Height to 6m. Aromatic evergreen shrub or small tree. Bark Reddish-brown, peeling. Branches With 3-angled twigs. Leaves Needle-like, to 2cm long, in whorls of 3. Foliage is gin- or apple-scented. Reproductive parts Male cones small and yellow. Female cones to 9mm long and green, ripening through blue-green to black in 2nd year. Status Native of chalk downland in S England and moors and limestone crags in N Britain.
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  • Coastal Redwood Sequoia sempervirens (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 50m. An impressively large evergreen, growing to be the tallest tree in the world in its native California and Oregon. Forms a conical to columnar tree with a tapering trunk arising from a broader, buttressed base. BARK Thick and reddish-brown, becoming spongy, eventually deeply fissured and peeling. BRANCHES Mostly arise horizontally or are slightly pendulous. LEAVES Green twigs support a unique combination of 2 types of leaves arranged in spirals; leading shoots have scale-like leaves, up to 8mm long, clasping the stem, and side-shoots have longer, flattened, needle-like leaves up to 2cm long, lying in 2 rows. Crushed foliage smells of grapefruit.<br />
REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female cones are produced on the same tree. The small yellow male cones grow on the tips of main shoots, releasing pollen in early spring. The pale-brown female cones grow singly on the tips of shoots, becoming 2cm long and ovoid. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of California and Oregon, growing best in the hills where the permanent sea-mists keep the trees supplied with moisture. Unsurprisingly, the biggest British and Irish specimens are in the west and north of the region.
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  • California Nutmeg Torreya californica (Taxaceae) HEIGHT to 20m. Broadly conical tree with a stout bole in mature specimens, producing high-quality timber. BARK Reddish grey with narrow ridges. BRANCHES long and almost horizontal in mature trees, supporting descending lines of greenish shoots. LEAVES Needle-like with two pale greyish bands on the underside; grow in a row on each side of shoot, and smell of sage if crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Trees are usually either male or female. Male flowers resemble small yellowish catkins, borne on undersides of shoots. Fruits are ovoid, 5cm long, and green with pur¬plish streaks; resemble nutmegs and contain a single (inedible) seed. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of mountain woodlands in California. Often planted in mature gardens in Britain.
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  • Chinese Juniper Juniperus chinensis (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 18m. Large evergreen with dark-green foliage and a sparse habit when mature. BARK Reddish-brown, peeling in vertical strips. BRANCHES Level to ascending. LEAVES Young leaves needle-like, 8mm long with sharply pointed tips and 2 bluish stripes on upper surface; mostly in clusters of 3 at base of adult shoots, radiating at right-angles. Adult leaves small and scale-like, closely adpressed to shoot. Crushed leaves smell of cats. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones small, yellow; grow on tips of shoots. Female cones rounded, up to 7mm long, bluish-white at first, ripening purplish-brown in second year. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan and China, often planted in our region in parks, gardens and churchyards
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  • Chilean Plum Yew Prumnopitys andina (Podocarpus andinus) (Podocarpaceae) HEIGHT to 20m<br />
Resembles a yew, but unrelated. Grows either with a single upright bole and horizontal branches, or sometimes with several boles and more upright branches. BARK Dark grey and smooth with occasional scars and ridges. LEAVES Flattened, needle-like and up to 2.5cm long; deep bluish-green on upper surface with 2 pale bands on underside. Leaves are much softer than true yew leaves, except in young trees when they are more leathery and bear small spines. Borne in dense shoots, either arranged in 2 ranks on either side of the shoot or spread all round it. FLOWERS Male catkins are yellow and borne in branched clusters near the ends of shoots. Female flowers are greenish and produced in small spikes at the tips of the shoots. The flowers occur on different-sex plants, opening in the spring. FRUITS resemble small green plums at first, containing a single seed, and may ripen to become blackened and covered with a fine bloom like sloes. <br />
STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the mountains of Argentina and Chile.
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  • Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris Pinaceae Height to 36m<br />
Conical evergreen becoming flat-topped with age. <br />
Bark Grey-brown and scaly low down, red or orange higher up. Branches Irregular. Needles Paired, grey-green to 7cm long. Reproductive parts Male flowers are yellow, at tips previous year’s shoots. Female flowers grow at tips of new shoots; crimson at first, ripening to brown cones. Status Native to parts of Scotland, also planted for timber and naturalised there and throughout Britain.
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  • Corsican Pine Pinus nigra ssp. maritima (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Similar to ssp. nigra but more shapely. BRANCHES Shorter than ssp. nigra and level, so young trees are columnar. LEAVES Soft, narrow needles, paler green than ssp. nigra, to 15cm long, often twisted in young trees. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones similar to ssp. nigra. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Corsica, S Italy and Sicily, planted here on lowland heaths, coastal dunes, and poor soils. Resistant to pollution.
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  • Black Spruce Picea mariana (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 19m<br />
Slender, conical evergreen with shortest needles and cones of any spruce (apart from Oriental, whose needles are darker green and blunt). BARK Grey-brown and scaly. LEAVES Bluntly pointed needles, blue-green above and pale blue below, to 1.5cm long, 4-angled, growing all round hairy, yellowish shoots. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones ovoid, reddish and pendent, to 4cm long, usually growing near tree top. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of N America, planted here for ornament.
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  • Black Spruce Picea mariana (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 19m<br />
Slender, conical evergreen with shortest needles and cones of any spruce (apart from Oriental, whose needles are darker green and blunt). BARK Grey-brown and scaly. LEAVES Bluntly pointed needles, blue-green above and pale blue below, to 1.5cm long, 4-angled, growing all round hairy, yellowish shoots. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones ovoid, reddish and pendent, to 4cm long, usually growing near tree top. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of N America, planted here for ornament.
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  • Black Spruce Picea mariana (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 19m<br />
Slender, conical evergreen with shortest needles and cones of any spruce (apart from Oriental, whose needles are darker green and blunt). BARK Grey-brown and scaly. LEAVES Bluntly pointed needles, blue-green above and pale blue below, to 1.5cm long, 4-angled, growing all round hairy, yellowish shoots. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones ovoid, reddish and pendent, to 4cm long, usually growing near tree top. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of N America, planted here for ornament.
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  • Black Spruce Picea mariana (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 19m<br />
Slender, conical evergreen with shortest needles and cones of any spruce (apart from Oriental, whose needles are darker green and blunt). BARK Grey-brown and scaly. LEAVES Bluntly pointed needles, blue-green above and pale blue below, to 1.5cm long, 4-angled, growing all round hairy, yellowish shoots. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones ovoid, reddish and pendent, to 4cm long, usually growing near tree top. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of N America, planted here for ornament.
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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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  • 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.
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  • Weymouth Pine Pinus strobus (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 32m <br />
Mature tree has tapering trunk and rounded crown. BARK Dark grey. BRANCHES Level. LEAVES Blue-green needles; note tuft of hairs below each 10cm-long bunch of 5 needles. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Slender cones; basal scales often curve outwards. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of N America, planted here mainly for timber.
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  • 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.
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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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  • Weymouth Pine Pinus strobus (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 32m <br />
Mature tree has tapering trunk and rounded crown. BARK Dark grey. BRANCHES Level. LEAVES Blue-green needles; note tuft of hairs below each 10cm-long bunch of 5 needles. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Slender cones; basal scales often curve outwards. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of N America, planted here mainly for timber.
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  • Giant Fir Abies grandis (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 55m <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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  • Weymouth Pine Pinus strobus (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 32m <br />
Mature tree has tapering trunk and rounded crown. BARK Dark grey. BRANCHES Level. LEAVES Blue-green needles; note tuft of hairs below each 10cm-long bunch of 5 needles. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Slender cones; basal scales often curve outwards. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of N America, planted here mainly for timber.
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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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  • Weymouth Pine Pinus strobus (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 32m <br />
Mature tree has tapering trunk and rounded crown. BARK Dark grey. BRANCHES Level. LEAVES Blue-green needles; note tuft of hairs below each 10cm-long bunch of 5 needles. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Slender cones; basal scales often curve outwards. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of N America, planted here mainly for timber.
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  • Weymouth Pine Pinus strobus (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 32m <br />
Mature tree has tapering trunk and rounded crown. BARK Dark grey. BRANCHES Level. LEAVES Blue-green needles; note tuft of hairs below each 10cm-long bunch of 5 needles. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Slender cones; basal scales often curve outwards. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of N America, planted here mainly for timber.
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  • Cedar of Lebanon Cedrus libani (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 40m. Mature tree is flat-topped with immense trunk in old trees. BARK Dark grey, fissured and ridged, becoming dark brown in very old trees. BRANCHES Main ones are massive and ascending; smaller, lateral branches level, supporting flat plates of foliage. LEAVES Needles, to 3cm long, usually in clusters of only 10–15 on short shoots, singly if growing on long shoots. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones greyish or blue-green and erect, to 7.5cm long. Mature female cones are solid, ovoid, to 12cm long and 7cm across, ripening from purple-green to brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of mountain forests of E Mediterranean; widely planted here in parks and gardens since 1640.
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  • Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris Pinaceae Height to 36m<br />
Conical evergreen becoming flat-topped with age. <br />
Bark Grey-brown and scaly low down, red or orange higher up. Branches Irregular. Needles Paired, grey-green to 7cm long. Reproductive parts Male flowers are yellow, at tips previous year’s shoots. Female flowers grow at tips of new shoots; crimson at first, ripening to brown cones. Status Native to parts of Scotland, also planted for timber and naturalised there and throughout Britain.
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  • Scots Pine Pinus sylvestris Pinaceae Height to 36m<br />
Conical evergreen becoming flat-topped with age. <br />
Bark Grey-brown and scaly low down, red or orange higher up. Branches Irregular. Needles Paired, grey-green to 7cm long. Reproductive parts Male flowers are yellow, at tips previous year’s shoots. Female flowers grow at tips of new shoots; crimson at first, ripening to brown cones. Status Native to parts of Scotland, also planted for timber and naturalised there and throughout Britain.
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  • Colorado White Fir Abies concolor (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 55m <br />
Columnar to conical tree. BARK Dark grey, fissured with age. BRANCHES Yellowish twigs bear resinous buds. LEAVES Bluish-grey needles in 2 ranks, curving upwards; to 6cm long with 2 pale blue bands below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones cylindrical, erect, 10cm long, green, ripening purple then brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of NW USA. Planted for ornament.
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  • Arolla Pine Pinus cembra (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 29m <br />
Densely crowned and slender-conical when mature with a strong bole. BARK Reddish-grey, peeling, resinous. LEAVES Needles, to 8cm long, crowded and almost erect. Leaf margins faintly toothed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Squat cones, to 8cm long, on short stalks; violet-blue first, ripening rich brown. Scales rounded; cones usually fall intact. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Alps and Carpathians, planted here for ornament.
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  • 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.
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  • Blue Colorado Spruce Picea pungens (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m Slender conical evergreen. BARK Purplish and ridged. BRANCHES Bear smooth, yellowish-brown twigs. LEAVES Sharply pointed, stiff needles, to 3cm long, and usually dark green, grow all round shoot, but upper surface has more and some curve upwards to make top surface look more dense. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers in small, separate clusters on same tree; males red-tinged, females greener. Mature female cones pendent, narrowly oval, to 12cm long, often slightly curved; scales have irregularly toothed tips. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of the south-western USA, growing on dry, stony mountain slopes and streamsides, but commonly planted for ornament and timber throughout much of N Europe.
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  • 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.
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  • European Silver Fir Abies alba (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 47m <br />
Fast-growing fir, reaching a great size; until 1960s held record for tallest tree in Britain. BARK White on trunk and branches of mature trees, grey on younger trees. LEAVES Thick needles, up to 3cm long, notched at tip and in 2 rows on twigs, which are covered with pale brown hairs. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Erect cones green at first, maturing orange-brown and up to 20cm long. Eventually disintegrate into fan-like scales and toothed bracts, leaving just the protruding woody axis. Cones normally grow high up. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of European mountains. At one time widely planted in Britain for timber.
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  • Blue Colorado Spruce Picea pungens (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m Slender conical evergreen. BARK Purplish and ridged. BRANCHES Bear smooth, yellowish-brown twigs. LEAVES Sharply pointed, stiff needles, to 3cm long, and usually dark green, grow all round shoot, but upper surface has more and some curve upwards to make top surface look more dense. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers in small, separate clusters on same tree; males red-tinged, females greener. Mature female cones pendent, narrowly oval, to 12cm long, often slightly curved; scales have irregularly toothed tips. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of the south-western USA, growing on dry, stony mountain slopes and streamsides, but commonly planted for ornament and timber throughout much of N Europe.
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  • 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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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • Dahurian Larch Larix gmelinii (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
Slender, conical deciduous tree. BARK Reddish-brown and scaly. BRANCHES Level, sometimes forming flattish areas of foliage, and supporting long, yellowish or red-brown, downy shoots. LEAVES Blunt-tipped needles, bright green above with 2 paler bands below, to 4cm long; in clusters of 25. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Female cones similar to those of other larches, with pinkish or greenish, slightly projecting bracts, becoming brown when ripe, with square-ended scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E Asia, sometimes planted for timber or as a specimen tree here.
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  • Western Larch Larix occidentalis (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m<br />
Largest of all the larches, although it rarely reaches its maximum height away from its native range. A tall, slender, conical tree. BARK Grey and scaly, forming deep fissures low down. BRANCHES slightly ascending and short with red-brown shoots. LEAVES Soft needles up to 4cm long, borne in tufts on side-shoots. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellow, and pendent below the shoots; female flowers are red and upright above the shoot on the same tree. Both open in spring. Cones are ovoid, 4cm long, with long bracts protruding from between the scales, distinguishing this from all other larches. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION native of mountains of British Columbia, south to Oregon. Introduced in 1881 into Britain, where there are now some very fine specimens in mature collections.
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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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  • Spanish (Hedgehog) Fir Abies pinsapo (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 25m. Shapely at first, becoming open-crowned and straggly with age. BARK Dark grey. LEAVES Bluish-grey, usually blunt, needles, to 1.5cm long, densely arranged all around twig. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Small male flowers red, opening yellow; female flowers green, in upright clusters above shoot. Cones cylindrical, tapering, upright and smooth. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Rare native of Sierra Nevada in S Spain. Sometimes planted for ornament here; tolerates calcareous soils.
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  • Caucasian Fir Abies nordmanniana (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 42m. Large, shapely fir with thick foliage. BARK Dull grey and fissured with age, forming small square plates. LEAVES Tough, green, forward-pointing needles, in dense rows around brownish twigs; 1.5–3.5cm long, slightly notched at tip and grooved above. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are reddish and grow on underside of shoot. Female flowers are greener and upright, borne in separate clusters on same tree. Cones are found high up on mature trees (30m); 12-18cm long, dark brown and resinous with projecting, downcurved scales. They break up on the tree. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native from Turkey eastwards. Planted here for ornament.
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  • Grecian Fir Abies cephalonica (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 36m <br />
Spreading tree. BARK Grey with a hint of orange in young trees, deeper grey and fissured to form squarish plates in maturity. LEAVES rigid, prickly needles arising from all round hairless red-brown twigs (not in rows); up to 3cm long with 2 white bands below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones upright, rich golden-brown, up to 16cm long. Downcurved triangular bracts protrude from between scales. Mature trees are often heavily loaded with cones. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to Greek mountains. Grows well in dry areas of Britain, but also thrives in wet regions, where it reaches the greatest size.
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  • European Silver Fir Abies alba (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 47m <br />
Fast-growing fir, reaching a great size; until 1960s held record for tallest tree in Britain. BARK White on trunk and branches of mature trees, grey on younger trees. LEAVES Thick needles, up to 3cm long, notched at tip and in 2 rows on twigs, which are covered with pale brown hairs. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Erect cones green at first, maturing orange-brown and up to 20cm long. Eventually disintegrate into fan-like scales and toothed bracts, leaving just the protruding woody axis. Cones normally grow high up. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of European mountains. At one time widely planted in Britain for timber.
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  • Cyprus Cedar Cedrus.. brevifolia (Height to 21m) Similar to Cedar of Lebanon C. libani.  Has dark-green needles shorter than those of other cedars (2cm), and crown is more open. Female cones, to 7cm long, ripen from purple-green to brown. Native of Troodos Mountains on Cyprus; sometimes grown in collections here.
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  • Santa Lucia Fir Abies bracteata (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 38m <br />
Tall, narrowly conical evergreen with tapering crown, strong foliage and pointed buds. BARK Black, marked with scars of fallen branches. LEAVES Sharp-spined needles, up to 5cm long, dark green above with 2 light bands below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Bright-green cones, up to 10cm long, are distinctive with their long projecting hair-like bracts, which persist throughout summer. Flowers are small and insignificant; males yellowish, growing on underside of shoot, females green, growing on top of shoot. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Rare native of S California. Does well in rainier parts of our region.
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  • Rocky Mountain Bristlecone Pine Pinus aristata (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 10m <br />
Small, slow-growing tree. LEAVES Needles, 2–4cm long, dark green, often flecked with white resin; turpentine-scented and persist for many years. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones, to 6cm long; 6mm-long spine on each scale. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to Rocky Mountains, rarely planted here.
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  • Arolla Pine Pinus cembra (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 29m <br />
Densely crowned and slender-conical when mature with a strong bole. BARK Reddish-grey, peeling, resinous. LEAVES Needles, to 8cm long, crowded and almost erect. Leaf margins faintly toothed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Squat cones, to 8cm long, on short stalks; violet-blue first, ripening rich brown. Scales rounded; cones usually fall intact. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Alps and Carpathians, planted here for ornament.
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  • 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.
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  • Spanish (Hedgehog) Fir Abies pinsapo (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 25m. Shapely at first, becoming open-crowned and straggly with age. BARK Dark grey. LEAVES Bluish-grey, usually blunt, needles, to 1.5cm long, densely arranged all around twig. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Small male flowers red, opening yellow; female flowers green, in upright clusters above shoot. Cones cylindrical, tapering, upright and smooth. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Rare native of Sierra Nevada in S Spain. Sometimes planted for ornament here; tolerates calcareous soils.
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  • Bosnian Pine Pinus heldriechii (leucodermis) (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
Broadly pyramidal tree with a tapering bole. BARK Grey, with irregular plates. Whitish patches appear with age. LEAVES Paired needles, to 9cm long, densely packed on shoots, stiff and projecting at right-angles, pungent. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones, to 8cm long and 2.5cm across, narrowly ovoid and ripening to brown; scales have a recurved prickle. Second-year cones are deep blue. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Balkans and SW Italy, mainly on dry mountain limestone. Planted here for ornament, thriving on free-draining soils.
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  • Bhutan Pine Pinus wallichiana (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 35m  <br />
Narrowly columnar, becoming shapeless with age. BARK Greyish brown and resinous. BRANCHES Lower ones spreading, upper ones ascending. LEAVES Needles, to 20cm long and 7mm wide, supple with finely toothed margin. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones long, cylindrical, to 25cm long, growing below shoot, light-brown and resinous. Cone scales wedge-shaped and grooved, thickened at tip. Basal scales are sometimes reflexed. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to Himalayas, planted here for ornament.
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  • Cyprus Cedar Cedrus.. brevifolia (Height to 21m) Similar to Cedar of Lebanon C. libani.  Has dark-green needles shorter than those of other cedars (2cm), and crown is more open. Female cones, to 7cm long, ripen from purple-green to brown. Native of Troodos Mountains on Cyprus; sometimes grown in collections here.
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  • 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.
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  • Norway Spruce Picea abies Pinaceae Height to 44m.<br />
Narrowly conical tree and the archetypal Christmas Tree. Bark Brownish, scaly and resinous. Branches almost level. Needles 4-angled on short pegs. Reproductive parts Male cones small, yellowish and clustered near tips of shoots. Female cones, to 18cm long, are pendulous. Status Native of European mountains. Widely planted here as Christmas Trees and in shelter-belts.
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  • Cedar of Lebanon - Cedrus libani (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 40m. Mature tree is flat-topped with immense trunk in old trees. BARK Dark grey, fissured and ridged, becoming dark brown in very old trees. BRANCHES Main ones are massive and ascending; smaller, lateral branches level, supporting flat plates of foliage. LEAVES Needles, to 3cm long, usually in clusters of only 10–15 on short shoots, singly if growing on long shoots. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones greyish or blue-green and erect, to 7.5cm long. Mature female cones are solid, ovoid, to 12cm long and 7cm across, ripening from purple-green to brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of mountain forests of E Mediterranean; widely planted here in parks and gardens since 1640.
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  • Norway Spruce - Picea abies Pinaceae. Height to 44m.<br />
Narrowly conical tree and the archetypal Christmas Tree. Bark Brownish, scaly and resinous. Branches almost level. Needles 4-angled on short pegs. Reproductive parts Male cones small, yellowish and clustered near tips of shoots. Female cones, to 18cm long, are pendulous. Status Native of European mountains. Widely planted here as Christmas Trees and in shelter-belts.
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  • Austrian Pine - Pinus nigra ssp. nigra Pinaceae. Height to 30m<br />
Broadly conical with a narrow crown. Bark Greyish-brown, becoming darker and rough in older trees. Needles Paired, to 15cm long; stiff with finely toothed margins. Reproductive parts Mature cones, to 8cm long, have keeled, spined scales. Status Native of central Europe. Widely planted here for shelter or ornament and sometimes naturalised.
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  • Macedonian Pine Pinus peuce (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
Narrowly conical; trunk slender and crown pointed. BARK Greyish-green. LEAVES Slender, supple needles, to 12cm long, with toothed margins and pointed tip. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones to 20cm long, mostly cylindrical, sometimes curved near tip; grow below shoots, green, ripening to brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to Balkans, planted here occasionally.
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  • Pine Hawk-moth Hyloicus pinastri Wingspan 80mm. An extremely well-camouflaged moth when resting on the bark of pine trees.  Adult has grey-brown forewings marked with darker streaks and stippled with dark spot. The hindwings are flushed buffish but are only occasionally exposed if the moth is alarmed. Flies June–July. Larva is green with lengthways pale stripes and a dark ‘horn’ at the tail end. Larva feeds on Scots Pine needles. Locally common only in southern England.
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