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  • Cattle Egret - Bubulcus ibis - coming in to breeding plumage, Florida, USA
    160416.jpg
  • 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.
    135072.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
  • 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.
    135000.jpg
  • 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.
    134998.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
  • Yellow Buckeye (Sweet Buckeye) Aesculus flava (Hippocastanaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Large domed, deciduous tree. BARK Peeling and scaly grey-brown. BRANCHES Ascending and twisted. LEAVES Palmate with 5 leaflets, each up to 20cm long. The leaves turn red early in the autumn. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS 4-petalled yellow flowers are borne in erect spikes about 15cm long, usually opening in late spring or early summer. The smooth rounded fruits are about 6cm across, covered in brown scales on the outside and containing one or 2 seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E USA, planted here in parks and gardens for its excellent autumn colours.
    134585.jpg
  • Pond Cypress Taxodium ascendens (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 18m. Slender, conical to columnar deciduous tree. BARK Grey and ridged in older specimens. BRANCHES Horizontal but curving down sharply at tips, and fine shoots that curved upwards with small clasping leaves and give a knotted-cord look. Deciduous shoots are shed in autumn. There is a fine display of autumn colours, starting orange and turning brown. LEAVES Pale green and 8mm long; arranged spirally. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellowish-green, hanging catkins up to 20cm long. Female flowers are produced on the same tree at base of male catkins, first appearing in autumn, but not opening until spring. Rounded cones up to 3cm long are green at first but ripen brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the SE USA, growing in wet ground by ponds and swampy ground. Introduced into Britain, where it succeeds only in warmer parts of the south.
    134582.jpg
  • Lawson’s Cypress Chamaecyparis lawsoniana Cupressaceae Height to 40m. Dense conical evergreen. Trunk often forked. Bark Cracks into vertical greyish plates. Branches Numerous. Leaves Scale-like, to 2mm long, flattened along shoot, in opposite pairs; parsley-scented. Reproductive parts Male flowers are cones, to 4mm long. Female cones, to 8mm across, have 4 pairs of scales. Status Native of western USA, widely planted here. Numerous cultivars exist with different with leaf colours.
    133218.jpg
  • Lawson’s Cypress Chamaecyparis lawsoniana Cupressaceae Height to 40m. Dense conical evergreen. Trunk often forked. Bark Cracks into vertical greyish plates. Branches Numerous. Leaves Scale-like, to 2mm long, flattened along shoot, in opposite pairs; parsley-scented. Reproductive parts Male flowers are cones, to 4mm long. Female cones, to 8mm across, have 4 pairs of scales. Status Native of western USA, widely planted here. Numerous cultivars exist with different with leaf colours.
    132962.jpg
  • Lawson’s Cypress Chamaecyparis lawsoniana Cupressaceae Height to 40m. Dense conical evergreen. Trunk often forked. Bark Cracks into vertical greyish plates. Branches Numerous. Leaves Scale-like, to 2mm long, flattened along shoot, in opposite pairs; parsley-scented. Reproductive parts Male flowers are cones, to 4mm long. Female cones, to 8mm across, have 4 pairs of scales. Status Native of western USA, widely planted here. Numerous cultivars exist with different with leaf colours.
    132867.jpg
  • Yellow Buckeye (Sweet Buckeye) Aesculus flava (Hippocastanaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Large domed, deciduous tree. BARK Peeling and scaly grey-brown. BRANCHES Ascending and twisted. LEAVES Palmate with 5 leaflets, each up to 20cm long. The leaves turn red early in the autumn. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS 4-petalled yellow flowers are borne in erect spikes about 15cm long, usually opening in late spring or early summer. The smooth rounded fruits are about 6cm across, covered in brown scales on the outside and containing one or 2 seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E USA, planted here in parks and gardens for its excellent autumn colours.
    132813.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
  • 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
  • Water Oak Quercus nigra (Fagaceae) HEIGHT to 18m<br />
Domed tree. BARK Purplish grey. BRANCHES Spreading. LEAVES Dark green, glossy, hairless, with irregular lobes, broadest near blunt tip; retained into winter. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Domed acorns in shallow cups. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E USA, planted here occasionally.
    132623.jpg
  • Ponderosa Pine (Western Yellow Pine) Pinus ponderosa (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 40m (50m). Large, slender, conical pine with a sturdy, straight bole. BARK Scaly pinkish-brown. LEAVES Needles, to 30cm long, narrow (3mm) and stiffly curved with finely toothed edges and a sharp, pointed tip; clustered densely on shoots and persist for 3 years. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones are ovoid, up to 15cm long and 5cm across, on short stalks or directly on twigs, sometimes leaving a few scales behind when they fall; solitary or in small clusters. Cone scales are oblong with swollen, exposed, ridged tips hiding 5cm-long, oval, winged seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to W USA, planted here mostly for ornament.
    132621.jpg
  • 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.
    124948.jpg
  • False Acacia Robinia pseudoacacia (Fabaceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
Medium-sized, open-crowned tree. BARK Spirally ridged. BRANCHES Snap easily. LEAVES Alternate, to 20cm long, pinnate, with 3–10 pairs of oval yellowish-green leaflets; petiole has 2 woody, basal stipules, each leaflet has a small stipule at petiole base. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Fragrant, white pea-like flowers in dense, hanging clusters, to 20cm long. Pods smooth, to 10cm long. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to USA, planted here and naturalised.
    117597.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
  • Western Red-cedar Thuja plicata (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 45m Tall, conical with buttressed trunk and upright leading shoot. BARK Reddish-brown with fibrous plates. LEAVES Tiny, scale-like, clasping shoots in alternate, opposite pairs; glossy, dark green above, paler below with pale markings. Crushed leaves pineapple-scented. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female cones on separate trees. Small yellow or brownish male cones grow at shoot tips. Female cones ovoid, up to 1.2cm long, with 8-10 spine-tipped scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of W USA, grown here for timber or ornament.
    157424.jpg
  • Southern Evergreen Magnolia or Bull Bay Magnolia grandiflora (Magnoliaceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
A large, spreading evergreen tree with a broadly conical crown. BARK Smooth, dull grey. BRANCHES Large, the youngest shoots covered with thick down and terminate in red-tipped buds. LEAVES Elliptical, to 16cm long and 9cm wide with a smooth or sometimes wavy margin. Upper surface is shiny, dark green, and underside is rust-coloured and downy, as is the 2.5cm-long petiole. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are striking, composed of 6 white petal-like segments, borne at tips of shoots; conical in bud, later opening out to a spreading cup-shape, to 25cm across. Fruit is conical, to 6cm long, composed of scale-like carpels on a single orange stalk. Flowers from midsummer to late autumn. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SE USA, introduced into Europe in 18th century. Popular in gardens here and does well if grown against a wall. In more sheltered areas it will form a splendid free-standing tree.
    156601.jpg
  • False Acacia Robinia pseudoacacia (Fabaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Medium-sized, open-crowned tree. BARK Spirally ridged. BRANCHES Snap easily. LEAVES Alternate, to 20cm long, pinnate, with 3–10 pairs of oval yellowish-green leaflets; petiole has 2 woody, basal stipules, each leaflet has a small stipule at petiole base. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Fragrant, white pea-like flowers in dense, hanging clusters, to 20cm long. Pods smooth, to 10cm long. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to USA, planted here and naturalised.
    134284.jpg
  • Indian Bean Tree (Southern Catalpa) Catalpa bignonioides (Bignoniaceae) HEIGHT to 20m. Medium-sized deciduous tree with a short bole. BARK Greyish-brown and scaly. BRANCHES Mostly spreading with smooth, stout twigs tipped with very small orange-brown buds. LEAVES Long-stalked, large and broadly ovate, to 25cm long and 20cm across, with heart-shaped bases and short-pointed tips; margins are untoothed, upper surface is smooth and lower surface is downy. Leaves are tinged with purple and downy when young, becoming a lighter, almost transparent green when mature. Usually late to open and early to fall. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS 5cm-long flowers are an open bell shape with 2 lips; petals are white with purple and yellow spots; in large showy panicles in midsummer. Fruit is a long, slender bean-like pod, to 40cm long, that hangs from branches long after leaves have fallen; contains many inedible flat, papery seeds, to 2.5cm long. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SE USA, planted here and quite common in many large cities, including London.
    135460.jpg
  • Indian Bean Tree (Southern Catalpa) Catalpa bignonioides (Bignoniaceae) HEIGHT to 20m. Medium-sized deciduous tree with a short bole. BARK Greyish-brown and scaly. BRANCHES Mostly spreading with smooth, stout twigs tipped with very small orange-brown buds. LEAVES Long-stalked, large and broadly ovate, to 25cm long and 20cm across, with heart-shaped bases and short-pointed tips; margins are untoothed, upper surface is smooth and lower surface is downy. Leaves are tinged with purple and downy when young, becoming a lighter, almost transparent green when mature. Usually late to open and early to fall. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS 5cm-long flowers are an open bell shape with 2 lips; petals are white with purple and yellow spots; in large showy panicles in midsummer. Fruit is a long, slender bean-like pod, to 40cm long, that hangs from branches long after leaves have fallen; contains many inedible flat, papery seeds, to 2.5cm long. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SE USA, planted here and quite common in many large cities, including London.
    135430.jpg
  • 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.
    135081.jpg
  • Pacific Silver Fir (Beautiful Fir) Abies amabilis (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 32m. Has luxuriant foliage, a strong trunk thick tapering crown on in suitable wet climates. BARK Silvery. LEAVES Glossy, to 3cm long, silvery below and densely packed; orange-scented when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Smooth oval cones tinged purple; grow on upper surface of twigs. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of NW USA. Widely planted here for ornament.
    135080.jpg
  • 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.
    135056.jpg
  • 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.
    135054.jpg
  • 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.
    135055.jpg
  • Water Oak Quercus nigra (Fagaceae) HEIGHT to 18m<br />
Domed tree. BARK Purplish grey. BRANCHES Spreading. LEAVES Dark green, glossy, hairless, with irregular lobes, broadest near blunt tip; retained into winter. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Domed acorns in shallow cups. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E USA, planted here occasionally.
    135049.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
  • 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.
    134999.jpg
  • Pond Cypress Taxodium ascendens (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 18m. Slender, conical to columnar deciduous tree. BARK Grey and ridged in older specimens. BRANCHES Horizontal but curving down sharply at tips, and fine shoots that curved upwards with small clasping leaves and give a knotted-cord look. Deciduous shoots are shed in autumn. There is a fine display of autumn colours, starting orange and turning brown. LEAVES Pale green and 8mm long; arranged spirally. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellowish-green, hanging catkins up to 20cm long. Female flowers are produced on the same tree at base of male catkins, first appearing in autumn, but not opening until spring. Rounded cones up to 3cm long are green at first but ripen brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the SE USA, growing in wet ground by ponds and swampy ground. Introduced into Britain, where it succeeds only in warmer parts of the south.
    134995.jpg
  • 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.
    134985.jpg
  • Ponderosa Pine (Western Yellow Pine) Pinus ponderosa (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 40m (50m). Large, slender, conical pine with a sturdy, straight bole. BARK Scaly pinkish-brown. LEAVES Needles, to 30cm long, narrow (3mm) and stiffly curved with finely toothed edges and a sharp, pointed tip; clustered densely on shoots and persist for 3 years. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones are ovoid, up to 15cm long and 5cm across, on short stalks or directly on twigs, sometimes leaving a few scales behind when they fall; solitary or in small clusters. Cone scales are oblong with swollen, exposed, ridged tips hiding 5cm-long, oval, winged seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to W USA, planted here mostly for ornament.
    134977.jpg
  • Indian Bean Tree (Southern Catalpa) Catalpa bignonioides (Bignoniaceae) HEIGHT to 20m. Medium-sized deciduous tree with a short bole. BARK Greyish-brown and scaly. BRANCHES Mostly spreading with smooth, stout twigs tipped with very small orange-brown buds. LEAVES Long-stalked, large and broadly ovate, to 25cm long and 20cm across, with heart-shaped bases and short-pointed tips; margins are untoothed, upper surface is smooth and lower surface is downy. Leaves are tinged with purple and downy when young, becoming a lighter, almost transparent green when mature. Usually late to open and early to fall. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS 5cm-long flowers are an open bell shape with 2 lips; petals are white with purple and yellow spots; in large showy panicles in midsummer. Fruit is a long, slender bean-like pod, to 40cm long, that hangs from branches long after leaves have fallen; contains many inedible flat, papery seeds, to 2.5cm long. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SE USA, planted here and quite common in many large cities, including London.
    134976.jpg
  • Pond Cypress Taxodium ascendens (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 18m. Slender, conical to columnar deciduous tree. BARK Grey and ridged in older specimens. BRANCHES Horizontal but curving down sharply at tips, and fine shoots that curved upwards with small clasping leaves and give a knotted-cord look. Deciduous shoots are shed in autumn. There is a fine display of autumn colours, starting orange and turning brown. LEAVES Pale green and 8mm long; arranged spirally. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellowish-green, hanging catkins up to 20cm long. Female flowers are produced on the same tree at base of male catkins, first appearing in autumn, but not opening until spring. Rounded cones up to 3cm long are green at first but ripen brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the SE USA, growing in wet ground by ponds and swampy ground. Introduced into Britain, where it succeeds only in warmer parts of the south.
    134967.jpg
  • 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.
    134906.jpg
  • Red Pine Pinus resinosa (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 20m <br />
Straggly evergreen, very similar to Scots Pine. BARK Reddish and scaly. BRANCHES Usually drooping. LEAVES 10-15cm long, longer and more slender than those of Scots Pine and widely spaced with the unique characteristic of snapping easily when bent in a curve. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones are reddish brown and ovoid. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTIOIN Native of Great Lakes area of USA and Canada, occasionally planted here.
    134903.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
  • 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.
    134882.jpg
  • Red Pine Pinus resinosa (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 20m <br />
Straggly evergreen, very similar to Scots Pine. BARK Reddish and scaly. BRANCHES Usually drooping. LEAVES 10-15cm long, longer and more slender than those of Scots Pine and widely spaced with the unique characteristic of snapping easily when bent in a curve. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones are reddish brown and ovoid. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTIOIN Native of Great Lakes area of USA and Canada, occasionally planted here.
    134867.jpg
  • Red Pine Pinus resinosa (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 20m <br />
Straggly evergreen, very similar to Scots Pine. BARK Reddish and scaly. BRANCHES Usually drooping. LEAVES 10-15cm long, longer and more slender than those of Scots Pine and widely spaced with the unique characteristic of snapping easily when bent in a curve. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones are reddish brown and ovoid. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTIOIN Native of Great Lakes area of USA and Canada, occasionally planted here.
    134866.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.
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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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  • Bristlecone Fir Abies bracteata. Height to 35m. Slender conical tree confined to slopes and bottoms of rocky canyons on the central coast of California, USA. Planted here for ornament.
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  • Western Red Cedar Thuja plicata (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 45m Tall, conical with buttressed trunk and upright leading shoot. BARK Reddish-brown with fibrous plates. LEAVES Tiny, scale-like, clasping shoots in alternate, opposite pairs; glossy, dark green above, paler below with pale markings. Crushed leaves pineapple-scented. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female cones on separate trees. Small yellow or brownish male cones grow at shoot tips. Female cones ovoid, up to 1.2cm long, with 8-10 spine-tipped scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of W USA, grown here for timber or ornament.
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  • Alpine Fir Abies lasiocarpa (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 16m <br />
Narrowly conical tree. BARK Greyish-white, smooth with resinous blisters. LEAVES Notched needles, to 4cm long, greyish green above, 2 white bands below; dense, on upper side of shoot, central ones pointing forwards; REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Small male flowers yellow, tinged red; grow below shoot. Female flowers purple, upright; in clusters on same plant. Cones cylindrical, to 10cm long, purple, ripening brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native W USA uplands.
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  • Yellow Buckeye (Sweet Buckeye) Aesculus flava (Hippocastanaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Large domed, deciduous tree. BARK Peeling and scaly grey-brown. BRANCHES Ascending and twisted. LEAVES Palmate with 5 leaflets, each up to 20cm long. The leaves turn red early in the autumn. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS 4-petalled yellow flowers are borne in erect spikes about 15cm long, usually opening in late spring or early summer. The smooth rounded fruits are about 6cm across, covered in brown scales on the outside and containing one or 2 seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E USA, planted here in parks and gardens for its excellent autumn colours.
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  • Yellow Buckeye (Sweet Buckeye) Aesculus flava (Hippocastanaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Large domed, deciduous tree. BARK Peeling and scaly grey-brown. BRANCHES Ascending and twisted. LEAVES Palmate with 5 leaflets, each up to 20cm long. The leaves turn red early in the autumn. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS 4-petalled yellow flowers are borne in erect spikes about 15cm long, usually opening in late spring or early summer. The smooth rounded fruits are about 6cm across, covered in brown scales on the outside and containing one or 2 seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E USA, planted here in parks and gardens for its excellent autumn colours.
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  • Yellow Buckeye (Sweet Buckeye) Aesculus flava (Hippocastanaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Large domed, deciduous tree. BARK Peeling and scaly grey-brown. BRANCHES Ascending and twisted. LEAVES Palmate with 5 leaflets, each up to 20cm long. The leaves turn red early in the autumn. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS 4-petalled yellow flowers are borne in erect spikes about 15cm long, usually opening in late spring or early summer. The smooth rounded fruits are about 6cm across, covered in brown scales on the outside and containing one or 2 seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E USA, planted here in parks and gardens for its excellent autumn colours.
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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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  • Pond Cypress Taxodium ascendens (Taxodiaceae) HEIGHT to 18m. Slender, conical to columnar deciduous tree. BARK Grey and ridged in older specimens. BRANCHES Horizontal but curving down sharply at tips, and fine shoots that curved upwards with small clasping leaves and give a knotted-cord look. Deciduous shoots are shed in autumn. There is a fine display of autumn colours, starting orange and turning brown. LEAVES Pale green and 8mm long; arranged spirally. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers are yellowish-green, hanging catkins up to 20cm long. Female flowers are produced on the same tree at base of male catkins, first appearing in autumn, but not opening until spring. Rounded cones up to 3cm long are green at first but ripen brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the SE USA, growing in wet ground by ponds and swampy ground. Introduced into Britain, where it succeeds only in warmer parts of the south.
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  • Alpine Fir Abies lasiocarpa (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 16m <br />
Narrowly conical tree. BARK Greyish-white, smooth with resinous blisters. LEAVES Notched needles, to 4cm long, greyish green above, 2 white bands below; dense, on upper side of shoot, central ones pointing forwards; REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Small male flowers yellow, tinged red; grow below shoot. Female flowers purple, upright; in clusters on same plant. Cones cylindrical, to 10cm long, purple, ripening brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native W USA uplands.
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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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  • 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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  • White Basswood Tilia heterophylla is similar to American Lime Tilia americana but has buff (not brown) axillary hair tufts on downy leaf undersides. Native of E USA, planted here occasionally.
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  • Indian Bean Tree (Southern Catalpa) Catalpa bignonioides (Bignoniaceae) HEIGHT to 20m. Medium-sized deciduous tree with a short bole. BARK Greyish-brown and scaly. BRANCHES Mostly spreading with smooth, stout twigs tipped with very small orange-brown buds. LEAVES Long-stalked, large and broadly ovate, to 25cm long and 20cm across, with heart-shaped bases and short-pointed tips; margins are untoothed, upper surface is smooth and lower surface is downy. Leaves are tinged with purple and downy when young, becoming a lighter, almost transparent green when mature. Usually late to open and early to fall. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS 5cm-long flowers are an open bell shape with 2 lips; petals are white with purple and yellow spots; in large showy panicles in midsummer. Fruit is a long, slender bean-like pod, to 40cm long, that hangs from branches long after leaves have fallen; contains many inedible flat, papery seeds, to 2.5cm long. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SE USA, planted here and quite common in many large cities, including London.
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  • Southern Evergreen Magnolia or Bull Bay Magnolia grandiflora (Magnoliaceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
A large, spreading evergreen tree with a broadly conical crown. BARK Smooth, dull grey. BRANCHES Large, the youngest shoots covered with thick down and terminate in red-tipped buds. LEAVES Elliptical, to 16cm long and 9cm wide with a smooth or sometimes wavy margin. Upper surface is shiny, dark green, and underside is rust-coloured and downy, as is the 2.5cm-long petiole. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are striking, composed of 6 white petal-like segments, borne at tips of shoots; conical in bud, later opening out to a spreading cup-shape, to 25cm across. Fruit is conical, to 6cm long, composed of scale-like carpels on a single orange stalk. Flowers from midsummer to late autumn. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SE USA, introduced into Europe in 18th century.
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  • Southern Evergreen Magnolia or Bull Bay Magnolia grandiflora (Magnoliaceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
A large, spreading evergreen tree with a broadly conical crown. BARK Smooth, dull grey. BRANCHES Large, the youngest shoots covered with thick down and terminate in red-tipped buds. LEAVES Elliptical, to 16cm long and 9cm wide with a smooth or sometimes wavy margin. Upper surface is shiny, dark green, and underside is rust-coloured and downy, as is the 2.5cm-long petiole. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are striking, composed of 6 white petal-like segments, borne at tips of shoots; conical in bud, later opening out to a spreading cup-shape, to 25cm across. Fruit is conical, to 6cm long, composed of scale-like carpels on a single orange stalk. Flowers from midsummer to late autumn. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SE USA, introduced into Europe in 18th century.
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  • Lawson’s Cypress Chamaecyparis lawsoniana Cupressaceae Height to 40m. Dense conical evergreen. Trunk often forked. Bark Cracks into vertical greyish plates. Branches Numerous. Leaves Scale-like, to 2mm long, flattened along shoot, in opposite pairs; parsley-scented. Reproductive parts Male flowers are cones, to 4mm long. Female cones, to 8mm across, have 4 pairs of scales. Status Native of western USA, widely planted here. Numerous cultivars exist with different with leaf colours.
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  • Lawson’s Cypress Chamaecyparis lawsoniana Cupressaceae Height to 40m. Dense conical evergreen. Trunk often forked. Bark Cracks into vertical greyish plates. Branches Numerous. Leaves Scale-like, to 2mm long, flattened along shoot, in opposite pairs; parsley-scented. Reproductive parts Male flowers are cones, to 4mm long. Female cones, to 8mm across, have 4 pairs of scales. Status Native of western USA, widely planted here. Numerous cultivars exist with different with leaf colours.
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  • Lawson’s Cypress Chamaecyparis lawsoniana Cupressaceae Height to 40m. Dense conical evergreen. Trunk often forked. Bark Cracks into vertical greyish plates. Branches Numerous. Leaves Scale-like, to 2mm long, flattened along shoot, in opposite pairs; parsley-scented. Reproductive parts Male flowers are cones, to 4mm long. Female cones, to 8mm across, have 4 pairs of scales. Status Native of western USA, widely planted here. Numerous cultivars exist with different with leaf colours.
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  • Red Buckeye Aesculus pavia (Hippocastanaceae) HEIGHT to 5m. Small, spreading deciduous tree with a domed crown. BARK Smooth and dark-grey. BRANCHES Level or slightly weeping. LEAVES Palmate, composed of 5 lanceolate, pointed, sharply toothed, short-stalked leaflets; dark glossy green above, turning red in autumn. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Slender red flowers, to 4cm long, have 4 petals; in erect spikes in early summer. Fruits are rounded or pear-shaped, with a smooth brown outer skin enclosing one or 2 shiny-brown seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SE USA, planted here for ornament.
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  • Lawson’s Cypress Chamaecyparis lawsoniana Cupressaceae Height to 40m. Dense conical evergreen. Trunk often forked. Bark Cracks into vertical greyish plates. Branches Numerous. Leaves Scale-like, to 2mm long, flattened along shoot, in opposite pairs; parsley-scented. Reproductive parts Male flowers are cones, to 4mm long. Female cones, to 8mm across, have 4 pairs of scales. Status Native of western USA, widely planted here. Numerous cultivars exist with different with leaf colours.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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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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  • Yellow Buckeye (Sweet Buckeye) Aesculus flava (Hippocastanaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Large domed, deciduous tree. BARK Peeling and scaly grey-brown. BRANCHES Ascending and twisted. LEAVES Palmate with 5 leaflets, each up to 20cm long. The leaves turn red early in the autumn. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS 4-petalled yellow flowers are borne in erect spikes about 15cm long, usually opening in late spring or early summer. The smooth rounded fruits are about 6cm across, covered in brown scales on the outside and containing one or 2 seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E USA, planted here in parks and gardens for its excellent autumn colours.
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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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  • 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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  • Alpine Fir Abies lasiocarpa (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 16m <br />
Narrowly conical tree. BARK Greyish-white, smooth with resinous blisters. LEAVES Notched needles, to 4cm long, greyish green above, 2 white bands below; dense, on upper side of shoot, central ones pointing forwards; REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Small male flowers yellow, tinged red; grow below shoot. Female flowers purple, upright; in clusters on same plant. Cones cylindrical, to 10cm long, purple, ripening brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native W USA uplands.
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  • 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.
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  • Jeffrey Pine Pinus jeffreyi (Height to 40m) is the upland counterpart of Ponderosa Pine in its native western USA. It has bluer foliage and larger cones, up to 30cm long, with scales bearing slender, curved spines, and the bark is blacker. Grows well here,  planted mainly for ornament.
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  • Tulip Tree Liriodendron tulipifera (Magnoliaceae) HEIGHT to 45m. Impressive deciduous tree. BARK Pale grey. BRANCHES Often twisted. LEAVES Strikingly shaped, to 20cm long and 4-lobed with a terminal notch; fresh green through summer, turning bright gold in autumn. Leaves smooth and hairless, on a slender 5–10cm-long petiole. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are superficially tulip-like. Cup-shaped at first and inconspicuous as perianth segments are greenish and blend in with leaves. Later, flowers open more fully, revealing rings of yellowish stamens surrounding paler ovaries. Often produced high up in middle of dense foliage, and not until the tree is at least 25 years old and quite sizeable. Conical fruits, to 8.5cm long, are composed of numerous scale-like overlapping carpels. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTON Native of E USA. Introduced into Europe in the 17th century and commonly planted here in gardens and parks.
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  • Tulip Tree Liriodendron tulipifera (Magnoliaceae) HEIGHT to 45m. Impressive deciduous tree. BARK Pale grey. BRANCHES Often twisted. LEAVES Strikingly shaped, to 20cm long and 4-lobed with a terminal notch; fresh green through summer, turning bright gold in autumn. Leaves smooth and hairless, on a slender 5–10cm-long petiole. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are superficially tulip-like. Cup-shaped at first and inconspicuous as perianth segments are greenish and blend in with leaves. Later, flowers open more fully, revealing rings of yellowish stamens surrounding paler ovaries. Often produced high up in middle of dense foliage, and not until the tree is at least 25 years old and quite sizeable. Conical fruits, to 8.5cm long, are composed of numerous scale-like overlapping carpels. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTON Native of E USA. Introduced into Europe in the 17th century and commonly planted here in gardens and parks.
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  • Pencil Cedar (Eastern Red Cedar) Juniperus virginiana (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 17m. Slender pyramidal or sometimes narrowly columnar evergreen, usually with a single trunk. BARK Reddish-¬brown, peeling in vertical strips. BRANCHES Numerous, small and ascending, bearing fine, rounded, scaly twigs. LEAVES Young leaves (in pairs at ends of shoots) are needle-like, finely pointed and up to 6mm long; upper surface has bluish band and lower surface is green. Mature leaves are 1.5mm long, rounded and scale-like, usually growing close to shoot; occur in a variety of shades of green. Crushed foliage smells of paint. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are small, yellow, and found at tips of shoots. Female cones are oval, up to 6mm long and ripen in first year, maturing through bluish-green to violet-brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E USA in a variety of habitats. Infrequently planted in Britain and Ireland.
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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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  • 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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  • Ponderosa Pine (Western Yellow Pine) Pinus ponderosa (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 40m (50m). Large, slender, conical pine with a sturdy, straight bole. BARK Scaly pinkish-brown. LEAVES Needles, to 30cm long, narrow (3mm) and stiffly curved with finely toothed edges and a sharp, pointed tip; clustered densely on shoots and persist for 3 years. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Cones are ovoid, up to 15cm long and 5cm across, on short stalks or directly on twigs, sometimes leaving a few scales behind when they fall; solitary or in small clusters. Cone scales are oblong with swollen, exposed, ridged tips hiding 5cm-long, oval, winged seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to W USA, planted here mostly for ornament.
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  • Alpine Fir Abies lasiocarpa (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 16m <br />
Narrowly conical tree. BARK Greyish-white, smooth with resinous blisters. LEAVES Notched needles, to 4cm long, greyish green above, 2 white bands below; dense, on upper side of shoot, central ones pointing forwards; REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Small male flowers yellow, tinged red; grow below shoot. Female flowers purple, upright; in clusters on same plant. Cones cylindrical, to 10cm long, purple, ripening brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native W USA uplands.
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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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  • 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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  • False Acacia Robinia pseudoacacia (Fabaceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
Medium-sized, open-crowned tree. BARK Spirally ridged. BRANCHES Snap easily. LEAVES Alternate, to 20cm long, pinnate, with 3–10 pairs of oval yellowish-green leaflets; petiole has 2 woody, basal stipules, each leaflet has a small stipule at petiole base. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Fragrant, white pea-like flowers in dense, hanging clusters, to 20cm long. Pods smooth, to 10cm long. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to USA, planted here and naturalised.
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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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  • Tulip Tree Liriodendron tulipifera (Magnoliaceae) HEIGHT to 45m. Impressive deciduous tree. BARK Pale grey. BRANCHES Often twisted. LEAVES Strikingly shaped, to 20cm long and 4-lobed with a terminal notch; fresh green through summer, turning bright gold in autumn. Leaves smooth and hairless, on a slender 5–10cm-long petiole. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are superficially tulip-like. Cup-shaped at first and inconspicuous as perianth segments are greenish and blend in with leaves. Later, flowers open more fully, revealing rings of yellowish stamens surrounding paler ovaries. Often produced high up in middle of dense foliage, and not until the tree is at least 25 years old and quite sizeable. Conical fruits, to 8.5cm long, are composed of numerous scale-like overlapping carpels. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTON Native of E USA. Introduced into Europe in the 17th century and commonly planted here in gardens and parks.
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  • Tulip Tree Liriodendron tulipifera (Magnoliaceae) HEIGHT to 45m. Impressive deciduous tree. BARK Pale grey. BRANCHES Often twisted. LEAVES Strikingly shaped, to 20cm long and 4-lobed with a terminal notch; fresh green through summer, turning bright gold in autumn. Leaves smooth and hairless, on a slender 5–10cm-long petiole. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are superficially tulip-like. Cup-shaped at first and inconspicuous as perianth segments are greenish and blend in with leaves. Later, flowers open more fully, revealing rings of yellowish stamens surrounding paler ovaries. Often produced high up in middle of dense foliage, and not until the tree is at least 25 years old and quite sizeable. Conical fruits, to 8.5cm long, are composed of numerous scale-like overlapping carpels. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTON Native of E USA. Introduced into Europe in the 17th century and commonly planted here in gardens and parks.
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  • Jeffrey Pine Pinus jeffreyi (Height to 40m) is the upland counterpart of Ponderosa Pine in its native western USA. It has bluer foliage and larger cones, up to 30cm long, with scales bearing slender, curved spines, and the bark is blacker. Grows well here,  planted mainly for ornament.
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  • Jeffrey Pine Pinus jeffreyi (Height to 40m) is the upland counterpart of Ponderosa Pine in its native western USA. It has bluer foliage and larger cones, up to 30cm long, with scales bearing slender, curved spines, and the bark is blacker. Grows well here,  planted mainly for ornament.
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  • Water Oak Quercus nigra (Fagaceae) HEIGHT to 18m<br />
Domed tree. BARK Purplish grey. BRANCHES Spreading. LEAVES Dark green, glossy, hairless, with irregular lobes, broadest near blunt tip; retained into winter. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Domed acorns in shallow cups. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E USA, planted here occasionally.
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  • White Basswood Tilia heterophylla is similar to American Lime Tilia americana but has buff (not brown) axillary hair tufts on downy leaf undersides. Native of E USA, planted here occasionally.
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  • Lawson’s Cypress Chamaecyparis lawsoniana Cupressaceae Height to 40m. Dense conical evergreen. Trunk often forked. Bark Cracks into vertical greyish plates. Branches Numerous. Leaves Scale-like, to 2mm long, flattened along shoot, in opposite pairs; parsley-scented. Reproductive parts Male flowers are cones, to 4mm long. Female cones, to 8mm across, have 4 pairs of scales. Status Native of western USA, widely planted here. Numerous cultivars exist with different with leaf colours.
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  • White Basswood Tilia heterophylla is similar to American Lime Tilia americana but has buff (not brown) axillary hair tufts on downy leaf undersides. Native of E USA, planted here occasionally.
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  • Lawson’s Cypress Chamaecyparis lawsoniana Cupressaceae Height to 40m. Dense conical evergreen. Trunk often forked. Bark Cracks into vertical greyish plates. Branches Numerous. Leaves Scale-like, to 2mm long, flattened along shoot, in opposite pairs; parsley-scented. Reproductive parts Male flowers are cones, to 4mm long. Female cones, to 8mm across, have 4 pairs of scales. Status Native of western USA, widely planted here. Numerous cultivars exist with different with leaf colours.
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  • Lawson’s Cypress Chamaecyparis lawsoniana Cupressaceae Height to 40m. Dense conical evergreen. Trunk often forked. Bark Cracks into vertical greyish plates. Branches Numerous. Leaves Scale-like, to 2mm long, flattened along shoot, in opposite pairs; parsley-scented. Reproductive parts Male flowers are cones, to 4mm long. Female cones, to 8mm across, have 4 pairs of scales. Status Native of western USA, widely planted here. Numerous cultivars exist with different with leaf colours.
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  • Southern Evergreen Magnolia or Bull Bay Magnolia grandiflora (Magnoliaceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
A large, spreading evergreen tree with a broadly conical crown. BARK Smooth, dull grey. BRANCHES Large, the youngest shoots covered with thick down and terminate in red-tipped buds. LEAVES Elliptical, to 16cm long and 9cm wide with a smooth or sometimes wavy margin. Upper surface is shiny, dark green, and underside is rust-coloured and downy, as is the 2.5cm-long petiole. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are striking, composed of 6 white petal-like segments, borne at tips of shoots; conical in bud, later opening out to a spreading cup-shape, to 25cm across. Fruit is conical, to 6cm long, composed of scale-like carpels on a single orange stalk. Flowers from midsummer to late autumn. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SE USA, introduced into Europe in 18th century. Popular in gardens here and does well if grown against a wall. In more sheltered areas it will form a splendid free-standing tree.
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  • Western Red Cedar Thuja plicata (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 45m Tall, conical with buttressed trunk and upright leading shoot. BARK Reddish-brown with fibrous plates. LEAVES Tiny, scale-like, clasping shoots in alternate, opposite pairs; glossy, dark green above, paler below with pale markings. Crushed leaves pineapple-scented. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female cones on separate trees. Small yellow or brownish male cones grow at shoot tips. Female cones ovoid, up to 1.2cm long, with 8-10 spine-tipped scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of W USA, grown here for timber or ornament.
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  • Tulip Tree Liriodendron tulipifera (Magnoliaceae) HEIGHT to 45m. Impressive deciduous tree. BARK Pale grey. BRANCHES Often twisted. LEAVES Strikingly shaped, to 20cm long and 4-lobed with a terminal notch; fresh green through summer, turning bright gold in autumn. Leaves smooth and hairless, on a slender 5–10cm-long petiole. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are superficially tulip-like. Cup-shaped at first and inconspicuous as perianth segments are greenish and blend in with leaves. Later, flowers open more fully, revealing rings of yellowish stamens surrounding paler ovaries. Often produced high up in middle of dense foliage, and not until the tree is at least 25 years old and quite sizeable. Conical fruits, to 8.5cm long, are composed of numerous scale-like overlapping carpels. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTON Native of E USA. Introduced into Europe in the 17th century and commonly planted here in gardens and parks.
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  • Pacific Silver Fir (Beautiful Fir) Abies amabilis (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 32m. Has luxuriant foliage, a strong trunk thick tapering crown on in suitable wet climates. BARK Silvery. LEAVES Glossy, to 3cm long, silvery below and densely packed; orange-scented when crushed. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Smooth oval cones tinged purple; grow on upper surface of twigs. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of NW USA. Widely planted here for ornament.
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