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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.
    134967.jpg
  • Small Quaker Orthosia cruda<br />
73.245 (2182)<br />
Length 15-19mm. A rather drab spring-flying moth of deciduous woodland that feeds on sallow blossom; rests with its wings in a tent-like manner. Adult has grey-buff to reddish-buff wings marked with small dots and a large, dark kidney-shaped spot. Flies March-April. Larva feeds on deciduous trees including willows and oaks. Widespread and fairly common in southern and central Britain; much more local in Scotland.
    158939.jpg
  • Small Quaker Orthosia cruda Length 15-19mm. A rather drab spring-flying moth of deciduous woodland that feeds on sallow blossom; rests with its wings in a tent-like manner. Adult has grey-buff to reddish-buff wings marked with small dots and a large, dark kidney-shaped spot. Flies March-April. Larva feeds on deciduous trees including willows and oaks. Widespread and fairly common in southern and central Britain; much more local in Scotland.
    141227.jpg
  • Small Quaker Orthosia cruda Length 15-19mm. A rather drab spring-flying moth of deciduous woodland that feeds on sallow blossom; rests with its wings in a tent-like manner. Adult has grey-buff to reddish-buff wings marked with small dots and a large, dark kidney-shaped spot. Flies March-April. Larva feeds on deciduous trees including willows and oaks. Widespread and fairly common in southern and central Britain; much more local in Scotland.
    141228.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
  • 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.
    134581.jpg
  • Small Quaker Orthosia cruda Length 15-19mm. A rather drab spring-flying moth of deciduous woodland that feeds on sallow blossom; rests with its wings in a tent-like manner. Adult has grey-buff to reddish-buff wings marked with small dots and a large, dark kidney-shaped spot. Flies March-April. Larva feeds on deciduous trees including willows and oaks. Widespread and fairly common in southern and central Britain; much more local in Scotland.
    110628.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
  • British deciduous woodland in winter snow
    129505.jpg
  • Sycamore - Acer pseudoplatanus Aceraceae. Height to 35m <br />
Vigorous, spreading deciduous tree. Bark Greyish, fissured and flaking. Branches Thick, with grey-green twigs and reddish buds. Leaves To 15cm long, with 5 toothed lobes. Reproductive parts Flowers in pendulous, yellowbloom, blooming, blossom, blossoming, close, close-up, closeup, deciduous, flower, flowering, flowers, in, portrait, spread, spreading, tree, trees, up, vertical clusters, to 12cm long. Paired wings of fruits spread acutely, curve in slightly towards tip. Status Introduced, widely planted and naturalised.
    157995.jpg
  • Sycamore - Acer pseudoplatanus Aceraceae. Height to 35m <br />
Vigorous, spreading deciduous tree. Bark Greyish, fissured and flaking. Branches Thick, with grey-green twigs and reddish buds. Leaves To 15cm long, with 5 toothed lobes. Reproductive parts Flowers in pendulous, yellowbloom, blooming, blossom, blossoming, close, close-up, closeup, deciduous, flower, flowering, flowers, in, portrait, spread, spreading, tree, trees, up, vertical clusters, to 12cm long. Paired wings of fruits spread acutely, curve in slightly towards tip. Status Introduced, widely planted and naturalised.
    157994.jpg
  • Sycamore - Acer pseudoplatanus Aceraceae. Height to 35m <br />
Vigorous, spreading deciduous tree. Bark Greyish, fissured and flaking. Branches Thick, with grey-green twigs and reddish buds. Leaves To 15cm long, with 5 toothed lobes. Reproductive parts Flowers in pendulous, yellowbloom, blooming, blossom, blossoming, close, close-up, closeup, deciduous, flower, flowering, flowers, in, portrait, spread, spreading, tree, trees, up, vertical clusters, to 12cm long. Paired wings of fruits spread acutely, curve in slightly towards tip. Status Introduced, widely planted and naturalised.
    157996.jpg
  • Sycamore - Acer pseudoplatanus Aceraceae. Height to 35m <br />
Vigorous, spreading deciduous tree. Bark Greyish, fissured and flaking. Branches Thick, with grey-green twigs and reddish buds. Leaves To 15cm long, with 5 toothed lobes. Reproductive parts Flowers in pendulous, yellowbloom, blooming, blossom, blossoming, close, close-up, closeup, deciduous, flower, flowering, flowers, in, portrait, spread, spreading, tree, trees, up, vertical clusters, to 12cm long. Paired wings of fruits spread acutely, curve in slightly towards tip. Status Introduced, widely planted and naturalised.
    157993.jpg
  • Plum - Prunus domestica ssp. domestica (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 10m. A small deciduous tree. BARK Dull brown, sometimes tinged purple, with deep fissures developing with age. BRANCHES Typically straight branches and usually with no spines; the twigs are brown and smooth. LEAVES Alternate, up to 8cm long, with toothed margins, a smooth green upper surface and a downy lower surface. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The flowers are mostly white or sometimes green-tinged, and hang in small clusters of 2–3 on a 1–2cm-long pedicel, opening at about the same time as the leaves in early spring. The fruits are up to 7.5cm long, rounded or more often oval, with a smooth skin which may be yellow, red, purple or even green when ripe.STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Probably a hybrid between Blackthorn and Cherry Plum, widely planted throughout Britain and Ireland and naturalised occasionally, nearly always near human habitation.
    157531.jpg
  • European Larch - Larix decidua Pinaceae. Height to 35m<br />
Deciduous, conical conifer. Foliage turns golden before needles fall in autumn. Bark Greyish-brown, fissured with age. Branches Mostly horizontal. Needles To 3cm long, in bunches of up to 40. Reproductive parts Male flowers are yellow cones. Female cones are red in spring, maturing brown and woody. Status Native of central Europe, planted here for timber and ornament.
    157445.jpg
  • European Larch Larix decidua Pinaceae Height to 35m<br />
Deciduous, conical conifer. Foliage turns golden before needles fall in autumn. Bark Greyish-brown, fissured with age. Branches Mostly horizontal. Needles To 3cm long, in bunches of up to 40. Reproductive parts Male flowers are yellow cones. Female cones are red in spring, maturing brown and woody. Status Native of central Europe, planted here for timber and ornament.
    134319.jpg
  • White Mulberry Morus alba (Moraceae) HEIGHT to 15m<br />
 Deciduous tree with a narrow rounded crown on a broad bole, to 2m across. BARK Heavily ridged and grey, sometimes tinged pinkish. BRANCHES Shoots are thin, with fine hairs at first; buds are minute, brown and pointed. LEAVES To 18cm long, oval to rounded with a heart-shaped base and a hairy, grooved petiole up to 2.5cm long. Feel thin and smooth, and have a toothed margin, with downy hairs on veins on underside. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Female flowers stalked, spike-like and yellowish. Male flowers on slightly longer spikes; whitish with prominent anthers. Fruit comprises a cluster of drupes; white or pink at first, ripening purple. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E Asia, grown here occasionally. COMMENT The leaves are the foodplant for silkworms.
    117571.jpg
  • Common Quaker Orthosia cerasi Length 18-20mm. A spring-flying woodland moth that rests with its wings held flat. Adult has forewings whose colour ranges from rich brown to grey-buff. Forewings usually show a pale cross line towards the outer margin and pale-ringed kidney and circular spots. Flies March-April. Larva feeds on deciduous trees, particularly oaks and willows. Widespread and common in lowland Britain, especially in the south.
    141220.jpg
  • The Chestnut Conistra vaccinii Length 17-19mm. An appropriately-named moth that rests with one forewing partly overlapping the other. Adult has forewings with a right-angle tip; they are chestnut-brown with dark grey, jagged cross lines. Overwinters (hibernating in cold spells) and flies September-May. Larva feeds on oaks, birches and other deciduous trees. Widespread and common in southern and central Britain; more local further north.
    140769.jpg
  • The Vapourer Orgyia antiqua Length 16mm. An unusual autumn moth only males of which have wings. Males fly mostly in the daytime but sometimes at night. Females are downy and almost wingless; they are sometimes found near clusters of eggs laid on tree bark. Adult male has chestnut forewings with a white spot on the trailing edge. Flies August–September. Larva is bristly with tufts of yellow and black hairs. Larva feeds on deciduous trees. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
    140751.jpg
  • Yellow-tail Euproctis similis Length 24mm. An aptly-named moth whose abdomen tip is yellow. All stages should be treated with caution since adult and larval hairs cause irritation. The wings are usually held folded tightly against body at rest. ADULT has white wings and exposes yellow-tipped abdomen when alarmed. Flies June–Aug. LARVA is hairy with black and red markings; feeds on deciduous shrubs. STATUS Widespread and locally common.
    140643.jpg
  • Buff-tip Phalera bucephala Length 25mm. An interesting moth whose markings and rolled-wing resting posture give it the appearance of a snapped twig. Adult has a buff head and silvery-grey wings with a buff patch at the tip. Flies May–July. Larva is yellow and black, with bristly hairs. Feeds on deciduous trees including oaks and limes. Widespread and common in lowland Britain.
    140636.jpg
  • Beech In Autumn, Savernake Forest, Wiltshire. Beech Fagus sylvatica Fagaceae Height to 40m. Imposing deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Smooth and grey. Branches Ascending. Buds reddish, to 2cm long, smooth and pointed. Leaves To 10cm long, oval, pointed, with wavy margin. Reproductive parts Male flowers pendent, clustered. Female flowers paired with brownish bracts. Fruits are shiny 3-sided nuts, to 1.8cm long, enclosed in a prickly case. Status Common native in S England; widely planted elsewhere.
    144736.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. Observation tips Easy to see and hear.
    145976.jpg
  • Beech In Autumn, Savernake Forest, Wiltshire. Beech Fagus sylvatica Fagaceae Height to 40m. Imposing deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Smooth and grey. Branches Ascending. Buds reddish, to 2cm long, smooth and pointed. Leaves To 10cm long, oval, pointed, with wavy margin. Reproductive parts Male flowers pendent, clustered. Female flowers paired with brownish bracts. Fruits are shiny 3-sided nuts, to 1.8cm long, enclosed in a prickly case. Status Common native in S England; widely planted elsewhere.
    144742.jpg
  • Ancient Oak in Savernake Forest, Marlborough, Wiltshire. Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
    144726.jpg
  • Common Larch Larix decidua Pinaceae Height to 35m<br />
Deciduous, conical conifer. Foliage turns golden before needles fall in autumn. Bark Greyish-brown, fissured with age. Branches Mostly horizontal. Needles To 3cm long, in bunches of up to 40. Reproductive parts Male flowers are yellow cones. Female cones are red in spring, maturing brown and woody. Status Native of central Europe, planted here for timber and ornament.
    144442.jpg
  • Common Larch Larix decidua Pinaceae Height to 35m<br />
Deciduous, conical conifer. Foliage turns golden before needles fall in autumn. Bark Greyish-brown, fissured with age. Branches Mostly horizontal. Needles To 3cm long, in bunches of up to 40. Reproductive parts Male flowers are yellow cones. Female cones are red in spring, maturing brown and woody. Status Native of central Europe, planted here for timber and ornament.
    144441.jpg
  • Ash Fraxinus excelsior Oleaceae Height to 40m. Deciduous tree with open crown. Bark Grey, fissured with age. Branches Ascending; grey twigs flattened at nodes with conical black buds. Leaves Pinnate, to 35cm long with 7–13 lanceolate, toothed leaflets. Reproductive parts Flowers small, purple, clustered. Fruits are single-winged ‘keys’, in bunches. Status Common native; prefers calcareous or base-rich soils.
    144418.jpg
  • Field Maple Acer campestre Aceraceae Height to 26m <br />
Deciduous tree with rounded crown and twisted bole. Bark Grey-brown, fissured, corky. Branches Much-divided and dense. Shoots hairy, sometimes winged. Leaves To 12cm long, 3-lobed; turn yellow in autumn. Reproductive parts Yellowish flowers in erect clusters. Fruits, reddish, winged, in 4s. Status Common native of woods and hedgerows, especially on calcareous soils.
    135429.jpg
  • Common Whitebeam Sorbus aria Rosaceae Height to 25m <br />
Deciduous tree or spreading shrub. Bark Smooth and grey. Branches Spreading; twigs brown above, green below. Buds ovoid, green, tipped with hairs. Leaves Oval, to 12cm long, toothed, very hairy below. Reproductive parts Flowers white, clustered. Fruits ovoid, to 1.5cm long, red. Status Native in S mainly on chalky soils; also widely planted in towns.
    135417.jpg
  • Common Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna Rosaceae Height to 15m. Spreading deciduous tree or shrub. Bark Fissured with vertical grooves. Branches Densely packed, with sharp spines. Leaves To 4.5cm long, deeply lobed, with teeth near apex. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 15mm across, in flat-topped clusters of 10–18 (May). Fruits (‘haws’) rounded and red. Status Common native of hedgerows and scrub, especially on chalk.
    135360.jpg
  • Wild Service-tree Sorbus torminalis Rosaceae Height to 25m<br />
Spreading deciduous tree. Bark Fissured into squarish plates. Branches Straight; twigs shiny, buds green and rounded. Leaves To 10cm long, 3–5 pairs of pointed lobes; toothed margin. Reproductive parts Flowers white, to 1.5cm across, clustered. Fruits rounded, to 1.8cm across, rounded, brown. Status Scarce native of heavy soils; ancient woodland indicator.
    135137.jpg
  • Quince Cydonia oblonga (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 7.5m <br />
Small, irregularly spreading, deciduous tree with a flattened crown. BARK Greyish brown. BRANCHES Dense. The shoots are noticeably woolly at first, but lose this as they become older. LEAVES Up to 10cm long with entire margins; the upper surface is green and mostly smooth, and the lower surface is greyer and markedly downy. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Attractive pink-tinged white flowers, which are at their best in April–May, are up to 5cm in diameter and bowl-shaped, containing yellowish anthers and stigmas. Fruit is up to 3.5cm long, resembling a small pear, greenish at first and becoming golden-yellow when mature with a pleasing fragrance. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SW Asia, but long cultivated elsewhere, including in our region, for its fruits.
    135128.jpg
  • Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus Aceraceae Height to 35m <br />
Vigorous, spreading deciduous tree. Bark Greyish, fissured and flaking. Branches Thick, with grey-green twigs and reddish buds. Leaves To 15cm long, with 5 toothed lobes. Reproductive parts Flowers in pendulous, yellow clusters, to 12cm long. Paired wings of fruits spread acutely, curve in slightly towards tip. Status Introduced, widely planted and naturalised.
    135095.jpg
  • Barberry Berberis vulgaris Berberidaceae Height to 2m<br />
Small, deciduous shrub. Bark Brown. Branches With grooved twigs and 3-forked prickles. Leaves Oval and sharp-toothed; in tufts from axils of prickles. Reproductive parts Flower small, yellow, in hanging clusters. Fruits are ovoid, reddish berries. Status Scarce native, mainly on calcareous soils; but also planted and sometimes naturalised.
    134958.jpg
  • Sessile Oak Quercus petraea Fagaceae Height to 40m<br />
Sturdy, domed deciduous tree. Bark Grey-brown, fissured. Branches Rather straight and radiating. Buds have long white hairs. Leaves Lobed, dark green with hairs below on veins; on yellow stalks, 1–2.5cm long, and lacking basal auricles. Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns egg-shaped, stalkless; sit directly on twig in small clusters. Status Common in W and hilly areas on poor soils.
    134700.jpg
  • Japanese Larch Larix kaempferi (Pinaceae) HEIGHT to 40m. A deciduous conifer resembling Common Larch, but lacking the drooping shoots, and having a more twiggy appearance with a dense crown. BARK Reddish-brown, flaking off in scales. LEAVES Needles, growing in tufts of about 40, slightly broader, and greyer in colour than those of Common Larch. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are similar to those of Common Larch, but female cones are pink or cream in spring, becoming brown and woody in autumn, and differing from those of Common Larch in having turned-out tips to the scales, looking like woody rose-buds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, but now very common in forestry plantations, replacing the Common Larch because of its more vigorous growth. Of less value to wildlife, because of the dense needle-litter that accumulates beneath it, and the later leaf-fall.
    134697.jpg
  • Common Whitebeam Sorbus aria Rosaceae Height to 25m <br />
Deciduous tree or spreading shrub. Bark Smooth and grey. Branches Spreading; twigs brown above, green below. Buds ovoid, green, tipped with hairs. Leaves Oval, to 12cm long, toothed, very hairy below. Reproductive parts Flowers white, clustered. Fruits ovoid, to 1.5cm long, red. Status Native in S mainly on chalky soils; also widely planted in towns.
    134541.jpg
  • Montpelier Maple Acer monspessulanum (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 15m. Small deciduous tree with a neatly domed crown. BARK Blackish or grey and fissured. BRANCHES With smooth, thin and brown twigs terminating in small, ovoid orange-brown buds. LEAVES Leathery, to 8cm long, with 3 spreading lobes, entire margins, shiny dark-green above and bluish below with a few tufts of hairs in axils of lower veins; petiole is similar length as leaf and orange-tinted. Leaves are fresh green in spring, but dark in summer, and remain on tree until well into autumn. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Yellowish-green flowers after leaves, in small clusters on long, slender pedicels; upright at first but pendent later. Red-tinged fruits are about 1.2cm long, with parallel or overlapping wings. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of S Europe, planted here for ornament.
    134491.jpg
  • Nikko Maple Acer nikoense (Aceraceae) HEIGHT to 15m (20m). Broadly spreading deciduous tree. BARK Greyish-brown and smooth. BRANCHES Mainly level, with blackish buds that have grey hairs on scales. LEAVES Compound, with 3 leaflets, the central one up to 10cm long, the other 2 smaller and unequal at the base. They are mostly green and smooth on the upper surface, but bluish-white below with a covering of soft hairs. Leaves turn fiery red in autumn. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Small yellow flowers, in pendulous clusters of 3, on hairy stalks, open at about same time as leaves. Green, winged fruits are about 5cm long, and wings spread widely, but seeds are rarely fertile or fully formed. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, and now popular here as an ornamental tree, mostly for its fine autumn colours.
    134488.jpg
  • White Mulberry Morus alba (Moraceae) HEIGHT to 15m<br />
Deciduous tree with a narrow rounded crown on a broad bole, to 2m across. BARK Heavily ridged and grey, sometimes tinged pinkish. BRANCHES Shoots are thin, with fine hairs at first; buds are minute, brown and pointed. LEAVES To 18cm long, oval to rounded with a heart-shaped base and a hairy, grooved petiole up to 2.5cm long. Feel thin and smooth, and have a toothed margin, with downy hairs on veins on underside.  REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Female flowers stalked, spike-like and yellowish. Male flowers on slightly longer spikes; whitish with prominent anthers. Fruit comprises a cluster of drupes; white or pink at first, ripening purple. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E Asia, grown here occasionally. COMMENT The leaves are the foodplant for silkworms.
    134473.jpg
  • Wayfaring-tree Viburnum lantana Caprifoliaceae Height to 6m. Small, spreading deciduous tree. Bark Brown. Branches With rounded, greyish, hairy twigs. Leaves Opposite, to 14cm long ovate and toothed. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, to 8mm across, in rounded heads about 10cm across. Fruits oval berries about 8mm long; ripen red to black. Status Native, favouring calcareous soils; also planted.
    133792.jpg
  • Peach Prunus persica (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Small, bushy and rounded deciduous tree. BARK Dark brown. BRANCHES Straight, with smooth, reddish, angular twigs. LEAVES Alternate, lanceolate, finely toothed, often creased into V-shape. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Pink flowers, to 4cm across, are usually solitary; open at same time as leaf buds; yellow-tipped anthers. Fruits is familiar peach, to 8cm long, rounded and downy, flushed pink; sweet, juicy flesh when ripe. Seed contained inside a woody, thickly ridged ‘stone’. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Probably native to China but long cultivated elsewhere. Here, it does best in a walled garden.
    133776.jpg
  • Peach Prunus persica (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Small, bushy and rounded deciduous tree. BARK Dark brown. BRANCHES Straight, with smooth, reddish, angular twigs. LEAVES Alternate, lanceolate, finely toothed, often creased into V-shape. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Pink flowers, to 4cm across, are usually solitary; open at same time as leaf buds; yellow-tipped anthers. Fruits is familiar peach, to 8cm long, rounded and downy, flushed pink; sweet, juicy flesh when ripe. Seed contained inside a woody, thickly ridged ‘stone’. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Probably native to China but long cultivated elsewhere. Here, it does best in a walled garden.
    133744.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.
    133676.jpg
  • Willow-leaved Pear Pyrus salicifolia (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 10m. Small deciduous tree with a rounded crown. BARK Rough, scaly and usually dark brown. BRANCHES Mostly level with pendulous, very downy twigs. LEAVES Narrow, to 9cm long, like willow leaves: silvery-grey on both surfaces at first, but greener on upper surface later in season. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS White flowers, to 2cm across, usually open at same time as leaves. Fruit is about 3cm long, pear-shaped or sometimes more pointed, and brown when ripe, on a downy pedicel. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of central Asia. Grown here for ornament.
    133581.jpg
  • London Plane Platanus x hispanica Platanaceae Height to 44m. Deciduous tree with tall trunk and spreading crown. Bark Grey-brown, flaking in patches. Branches Tangled and twisted. Leaves To 24cm long, 5-lobed, palmate. Reproductive parts Flowers rounded, in clusters. Greenish, spherical fruits have spiky hairs. Status Widely planted hybrid in towns and cities.
    133283.jpg
  • Common Whitebeam Sorbus aria Rosaceae Height to 25m <br />
Deciduous tree or spreading shrub. Bark Smooth and grey. Branches Spreading; twigs brown above, green below. Buds ovoid, green, tipped with hairs. Leaves Oval, to 12cm long, toothed, very hairy below. Reproductive parts Flowers white, clustered. Fruits ovoid, to 1.5cm long, red. Status Native in S mainly on chalky soils; also widely planted in towns.
    133244.jpg
  • Cherry Plum Prunus cerasifera Rosaceae Height to 8m <br />
Deciduous, bushy tree. Bark Dark brown, pitted with white lenticels. Branches Spiny, with glossy-green twigs. Leaves To 7cm long, ovate, toothed; green, but red in some cultivars. Reproductive parts Flowers white, stalked; pink in some cultivars. Fruits, to 3.5cm long, rounded, red or yellow. Status Introduced, widely planted and often naturalised.
    133215.jpg
  • Cherry Plum Prunus cerasifera Rosaceae Height to 8m <br />
Deciduous, bushy tree. Bark Dark brown, pitted with white lenticels. Branches Spiny, with glossy-green twigs. Leaves To 7cm long, ovate, toothed; green, but red in some cultivars. Reproductive parts Flowers white, stalked; pink in some cultivars. Fruits, to 3.5cm long, rounded, red or yellow. Status Introduced, widely planted and often naturalised.
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  • Katsura Tree Cercidiphyllum japonicum (Cercidiphyllaceae) HEIGHT to 25m. Conical-crowned deciduous tree, sometimes with a single bole, more often with several main stems. BARK vertically fissured and peeling. LEAVES In opposite pairs, to 8cm long, rounded, with pointed tips and heart-shaped bases. Pink at first, turning green in summer, then red in autumn. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are produced in leaf nodes in April. Male flowers are small clusters of reddish stamens, female flowers are darker-red clusters of styles. Fruits are claw-like bunches of 5cm-long pods which change from grey, through green, to brown. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, grown in Britain and Ireland for ornament.
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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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  • 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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  • 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.
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  • Snowbell Tree Styrax japonica (Styracaceae) HEIGHT to 12m. Spreading deciduous tree or large shrub. BARK Smooth, dark greyish-brown, fissured with age. BRANCHES Mostly ascending with zigzag slender shoots and purple-tinged buds. LEAVES Elliptical to ovate, to 10cm long with narrow bases, pointed tips, and finely toothed margin; deep glossy green above, turning yellow or red in autumn. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS White, lightly scented, 5-petalled flowers, to 1.5cm long, hang singly or in small clusters from branches; open in midsummer. Fruit is an egg-shaped berry, to 1.5cm long. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E Asia, planted here for ornament.
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  • Japanese Cherry Prunus serrulata (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 15m. A small to medium-sized deciduous tree. BARK Purple-brown, ringed by horizontal lines of prominent lenticels. BRANCHES Ascending, usually fanning out from the bole and terminating in smooth twigs. LEAVES Up to 20cm long, ovate and drawn out to a long tapering tip; the margin is sharply toothed and the smooth petiole, to 4cm long, has up to 4 red glands near the base. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The white or pink flowers grow in clusters of 2–4, opening just before the leaves; in some cultivars so flowers are borne on a 8cm-long petiole, may have notched petals, and vary in shade from pure white to deep pink. Fruits are round, to 7mm long and deep purple-crimson; they seldom develop in cultivated trees. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Probably native to China, then introduced into Japan at a very early date, and subsequently brought to our region where now it is a very popular garden tree. Centuries of breeding and selection have made modern trees different from their wild ancestors, which are rarely seen. SIMILAR TREES Originally bred in Japan and ancient in origin, there are many cultivated forms of Cherry that are popular here as garden tree, and that are often collectively referred to as ‘Japanese Cherries’; typically they are known only by their cultivar names. Popular forms include: Prunus ‘Kanzan’ with magenta buds and pink flowers; Prunus ‘Shirofugen’ with pink buds and white double flowers; Prunus ‘Shirotae’ with large, white flowers; Prunus ‘Pink Perfection’ with pink double flowers.
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  • Cherry Plum Prunus cerasifera Rosaceae Height to 8m <br />
Deciduous, bushy tree. Bark Dark brown, pitted with white lenticels. Branches Spiny, with glossy-green twigs. Leaves To 7cm long, ovate, toothed; green, but red in some cultivars. Reproductive parts Flowers white, stalked; pink in some cultivars. Fruits, to 3.5cm long, rounded, red or yellow. Status Introduced, widely planted and often naturalised.
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  • Japanese Cherry Prunus serrulata (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 15m. A small to medium-sized deciduous tree. BARK Purple-brown, ringed by horizontal lines of prominent lenticels. BRANCHES Ascending, usually fanning out from the bole and terminating in smooth twigs. LEAVES Up to 20cm long, ovate and drawn out to a long tapering tip; the margin is sharply toothed and the smooth petiole, to 4cm long, has up to 4 red glands near the base. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The white or pink flowers grow in clusters of 2–4, opening just before the leaves; in some cultivars so flowers are borne on a 8cm-long petiole, may have notched petals, and vary in shade from pure white to deep pink. Fruits are round, to 7mm long and deep purple-crimson; they seldom develop in cultivated trees. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Probably native to China, then introduced into Japan at a very early date, and subsequently brought to our region where now it is a very popular garden tree. Centuries of breeding and selection have made modern trees different from their wild ancestors, which are rarely seen. SIMILAR TREES Originally bred in Japan and ancient in origin, there are many cultivated forms of Cherry that are popular here as garden tree, and that are often collectively referred to as ‘Japanese Cherries’; typically they are known only by their cultivar names. Popular forms include: Prunus ‘Kanzan’ with magenta buds and pink flowers; Prunus ‘Shirofugen’ with pink buds and white double flowers; Prunus ‘Shirotae’ with large, white flowers; Prunus ‘Pink Perfection’ with pink double flowers.
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  • Manna Ash Fraxinus ornus (Oleaceae) HEIGHT to 24m <br />
Medium-sized deciduous tree with a flattish crown. BARK Smooth dark-grey, sometimes almost black. BRANCHES With smooth, grey twigs, sometimes yellow-tinged, ending in greyish, white-bloomed buds. LEAVES Opposite, pinnate, to 30cm long with up to 9 ovate, toothed leaflets, each one to 10cm long and downy, with white or brown hairs on veins beneath. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Showy, creamy-white, fragrant flowers open with leaves. Each flower has 4 petals about 6mm long; they hang in clusters about 20cm across. Narrow-winged fruits, to 2cm long, hang in dense clusters. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of central and S Europe and SW Asia, and planted here as a street tree or for ornamental value.
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  • Manna Ash Fraxinus ornus (Oleaceae) HEIGHT to 24m <br />
Medium-sized deciduous tree with a flattish crown. BARK Smooth dark-grey, sometimes almost black. BRANCHES With smooth, grey twigs, sometimes yellow-tinged, ending in greyish, white-bloomed buds. LEAVES Opposite, pinnate, to 30cm long with up to 9 ovate, toothed leaflets, each one to 10cm long and downy, with white or brown hairs on veins beneath. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Showy, creamy-white, fragrant flowers open with leaves. Each flower has 4 petals about 6mm long; they hang in clusters about 20cm across. Narrow-winged fruits, to 2cm long, hang in dense clusters. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of central and S Europe and SW Asia, and planted here as a street tree or for ornamental value.
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  • Common Whitebeam Sorbus aria Rosaceae Height to 25m <br />
Deciduous tree or spreading shrub. Bark Smooth and grey. Branches Spreading; twigs brown above, green below. Buds ovoid, green, tipped with hairs. Leaves Oval, to 12cm long, toothed, very hairy below. Reproductive parts Flowers white, clustered. Fruits ovoid, to 1.5cm long, red. Status Native in S mainly on chalky soils; also widely planted in towns.
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  • Common Whitebeam Sorbus aria Rosaceae Height to 25m <br />
Deciduous tree or spreading shrub. Bark Smooth and grey. Branches Spreading; twigs brown above, green below. Buds ovoid, green, tipped with hairs. Leaves Oval, to 12cm long, toothed, very hairy below. Reproductive parts Flowers white, clustered. Fruits ovoid, to 1.5cm long, red. Status Native in S mainly on chalky soils; also widely planted in towns.
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  • Honey Locust Gleditsia triacanthos (Fabaceae) HEIGHT to 45m <br />
Tall deciduous tree with a high, domed crown; bole, branches and twigs are spiny. BARK Greyish purple. BRANCHES Mainly level, with curled twigs. LEAVES Alternate, either pinnate, with up to 18 pairs of 2–3cm-long leaflets, or bipinnate, with up to 14 leaflets no more than 2cm long. Leaf axes end in spines. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Tiny flowers open in June, are no more than 3mm long, may be male, female or both, and grow in compact clusters in leaf axils; greenish-white oval petals number from 3 to 5. Flattened pods with thickened edges, to 45cm long, are twisted or curved and become dark brown when ripe. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Mississippi basin of N America, planted here for ornament.
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  • White Ash Fraxinus americana (Oleaceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
Broadly columnar deciduous tree. BARK Grey-brown, intricately ridged. BRANCHES Upright, with straight shoots. LEAVES Leaflets smooth above and white beneath; blades do not continue down the petiole. Autumn colour is unreliable (in our region) but can be impressive, with purple-bronze leaves. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Similar to Ash. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native to E North America, planted here occasionally.
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  • Cockspurthorn Crataegus crus-galli (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 10m <br />
A small, usually spreading deciduous tree with a flattish crown and a short bole. BARK Smooth and greyish-brown in young trees; in older trees it is fissured. BRANCHES Purple-brown twigs carry numerous 7–10cm-long sharp spines. LEAVES Up to 8cm long and about 3cm wide, increasing in width above the middle, with a toothed margin. Both surfaces are smooth and shiny, dark green in summer and turning a rich orange in autumn, often before other species have started to show colour changes. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The white flowers are<br />
about 1.5cm in diameter and grow in loose clusters, opening in May. The red globular fruits are ripe in October and persist after the leaves have fallen. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native tree in NE America, and often planted in Britain and Ireland as a garden or roadside tree, mostly for its striking orange autumn colours
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  • Snowy Mespil Amelanchier ovalis (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 5m <br />
Small deciduous tree or shrub. LEAVES To 5cm long with coarsely toothed margins and downy undersides when first open. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers in upright spikes of up to 8 white-petalled flowers; fruits blue-black fruits. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of mainland Europe eastwards; planted here occasionally.
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  • London Plane Platanus x hispanica Platanaceae Height to 44m. Deciduous tree with tall trunk and spreading crown. Bark Grey-brown, flaking in patches. Branches Tangled and twisted. Leaves To 24cm long, 5-lobed, palmate. Reproductive parts Flowers rounded, in clusters. Greenish, spherical fruits have spiky hairs. Status Widely planted hybrid in towns and cities.
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  • Elder Sambucus nigra Caprifoliaceae Height to 10m<br />
Untidy deciduous shrub or small tree. Bark Grey-brown, furrowed, corky and lichen-covered with age. Branches Spreading, twisted, with white central pith. Leaves Opposite, compound with 5–7 pairs of ovate, toothed leaflets, each to 12cm long. Reproductive part Flowers, white, sickly-sweet scented, in flat-topped clusters. Fruits are rounded, shiny-black berries, in pendulous heads. Status Common.
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  • Sweet Chestnut Castanea sativa Fagaceae Height to 35m <br />
Deciduous tree with fine bole. Bark Silvery and smooth at first, spirally fissured and grooved with age. Branches Lowest branches spreading, upper ones ascending. Leaves Glossy, to 25cm long, lanceolate and toothed. Reproductive parts Male catkins creamy and pendulous. Female flowers green and erect, at base of male catkins; spiny green fruits contain 3 brown nuts. Status Native of mainland Europe, planted here since Roman times.
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  • Sweet Chestnut Castanea sativa Fagaceae Height to 35m <br />
Deciduous tree with fine bole. Bark Silvery and smooth at first, spirally fissured and grooved with age. Branches Lowest branches spreading, upper ones ascending. Leaves Glossy, to 25cm long, lanceolate and toothed. Reproductive parts Male catkins creamy and pendulous. Female flowers green and erect, at base of male catkins; spiny green fruits contain 3 brown nuts. Status Native of mainland Europe, planted here since Roman times.
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  • Pedunculate or English Oak Quercus robur Fagaceae Height to 36m. Spreading, deciduous tree with dense crown. Bark Grey, thick and fissured with age. Branches Dead branches emerge from canopy of ancient trees. Buds hairless. Leaves Deeply lobed with 2 auricles at base; on very short stalks (5mm or less). Reproductive parts Flowers are catkins. Acorns, in groups of 1–3, with long stalks and scaly cups. Status Widespread; prefers heavier clay soils to Sessile Oak.
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  • Plum Prunus domestica ssp. domestica (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 10m. A small deciduous tree. BARK Dull brown, sometimes tinged purple, with deep fissures developing with age. BRANCHES Typically straight branches and usually with no spines; the twigs are brown and smooth. LEAVES Alternate, up to 8cm long, with toothed margins, a smooth green upper surface and a downy lower surface. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The flowers are mostly white or sometimes green-tinged, and hang in small clusters of 2–3 on a 1–2cm-long pedicel, opening at about the same time as the leaves in early spring. The fruits are up to 7.5cm long, rounded or more often oval, with a smooth skin which may be yellow, red, purple or even green when ripe.STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Probably a hybrid between Blackthorn and Cherry Plum, widely planted throughout Britain and Ireland and naturalised occasionally, nearly always near human habitation.
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  • Ash Fraxinus excelsior Oleaceae Height to 40m. Deciduous tree with open crown. Bark Grey, fissured with age. Branches Ascending; grey twigs flattened at nodes with conical black buds. Leaves Pinnate, to 35cm long with 7–13 lanceolate, toothed leaflets. Reproductive parts Flowers small, purple, clustered. Fruits are single-winged ‘keys’, in bunches. Status Common native; prefers calcareous or base-rich soils.
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  • Rowan Sorbus aucuparia Rosaceae Height to 20m <br />
Open, deciduous tree. Bark Silvery-grey, smooth. Branches Ascending with purple-tinged twigs and hairy buds. Leaves Pinnate, with 5–8 pairs of ovate, toothed leaflets, each to 6cm long. Reproductive parts Flowers to 1cm across with 5 white petals; in dense heads. Fruits rounded, scarlet, in clusters. Status Locally common native; also widely planted.
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  • Wild Cherry Prunus avium Rosaceae Height to 30m <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Reddish-brown, shiny, with circular lines; peels horizontally into papery strips. Branches Spreading with reddish twigs. Leaves To 15cm long, ovate, toothed. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, in clusters of 2–6. Fruits to 2cm long, rounded, ripening dark-purple, sometimes yellowish. Status Widespread native.
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  • Common Whitebeam Sorbus aria Rosaceae Height to 25m <br />
Deciduous tree or spreading shrub. Bark Smooth and grey. Branches Spreading; twigs brown above, green below. Buds ovoid, green, tipped with hairs. Leaves Oval, to 12cm long, toothed, very hairy below. Reproductive parts Flowers white, clustered. Fruits ovoid, to 1.5cm long, red. Status Native in S mainly on chalky soils; also widely planted in towns.
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  • Oriental Plane Platanus orientalis (Platanaceae) HEIGHT to 30m. Large deciduous tree with a broad, domed crown.  The main trunk is frequently covered with large tuberous burrs. BARK Mostly smooth and pale brown, flaking away to reveal rounded yellow patches. BRANCHES Often spreading. In older specimens branches droop down to the ground. Young shoots are yellow-brown and hairy, while older twigs are greyer. LEAVES Large, up to 18cm in length and width; deeply divided into 5–7 lobes which are themselves notched; central lobe is longest, and the leaf is borne on a 5cm-long petiole that has a swollen base enclosing a bud. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male flowers, up to 6cm long, are composed of 2–7 rounded, yellowish flower heads. Female flowers, up to 8cm long, comprise up to 6 rounded, dark-red flower heads; the flowers open in May–June. As they ripen into fruits the catkins reach a length of 15cm and the ball-like heads grow to 3cm across; they contain many 1-seeded carpels with long hairs attached to bases. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of the Balkans, eastwards into Asia.
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  • SPINDLE Euonymus europaeus (Celastraceae) Height to 6m<br />
Deciduous shrub or small tree. Found in scrub and hedgerows, mostly on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are 7-9mm across and greenish; borne in leaf axils (May-Jun). FRUITS are pinkish and 4-lobed. LEAVES are narrow-oval and pointed, with toothed margins; green in summer but turning reddish in autumn. STATUS-Locally common in England only.
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  • MEZEREON Daphne mezereum (Thymelaeaceae) Height to 2m. Deciduous shrub of woods and shady scrub on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are 8-12mm across with 4 pink, petal-like sepals (petals absent); clusters appear just before leaves (Feb-Apr). FRUITS are berry-like and bright red. LEAVES are alternate, pale green and mainly terminal. STATUS-Local and scarce, mainly in central S England.
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  • BARBERRY Berberis vulgaris (Berberidaceae) Height to 2m<br />
Small, deciduous shrub with grooved twigs and 3-forked prickles. Found in hedgerows and scrub, mainly on calcareous soils. FLOWERS are small, yellow and borne in hanging clusters (May-Jun). FRUITS are ovoid, reddish berries. LEAVES are sharp-toothed, oval and borne in tufts from axils of prickles. STATUS-Scarce native; also naturalised.
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  • SANICLE Sanicula europaea (Apiaceae) Height to 50cm<br />
Slender, hairless perennial of deciduous woodland, mostly on neutral or basic soils and often under Beech. FLOWERS are pinkish and borne in small umbels on reddish stems (May-Aug). FRUITS are egg-shaped with hooked bristles. LEAVES have 5-7 toothed lobes; lower leaves are long-stalked. STATUS-Very locally common throughout.
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  • ELDER Sambucus nigra (Caprifoliaceae) Height to 10m<br />
Deciduous shrub or small tree with spreading, outcurved main branches and corky bark. Grows in woodland, scrub and hedgerows, thriving best on chalky and nitrogen-enriched soils. FLOWERS are 5mm across and creamy white; borne in flat-topped clusters, 10-20cm across (Jun-Jul). FRUITS are blackish purple berries, borne in clusters. LEAVES are unpleasant-smelling and divided into 5-7 leaflets. STATUS-Widespread and common.
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  • Yellow-necked Mouse Apodemus flavicollis Length 18-25cm Similar to Wood Mouse but larger, with relatively larger ears, eyes and feet, and longer tail; coat is richer brown on upperparts and shows clearer demarcation between upperparts and clean-looking white underparts. Note the broad, rich yellow band on throat (in Wood Mouse, yellow on throat is, at most, a discrete spot. Mainly nocturnal. Climbs well. Squeals loudly in distress. Distribution is patchy, and only locally common. Favours undisturbed deciduous woodland.
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  • Coal Tit Parus ater L 10-11cm. Tiny, well-marked and warbler-like bird. Sexes are similar. Adult has white cheeks and white nape patch on otherwise black head. Back and wings are bluish grey and underparts are pale pinkish buff. Note two white wingbars and dark, needle-like bill. Juvenile is similar but colours and markings are less striking. Voice Utters a thin call. Song is repeated teechu-teechu-teechu…, higher pitched and more rapid than Great Tit.<br />
Status Fairly common resident of conifer forests and mixed and deciduous woodland.
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  • Treecreeper Certhia familiaris L 12-13cm. Easily overlooked as it creeps up tree trunks, using spiky tail for support. Probes bark for insects using needle-like bill Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have streaked brown upperparts and silvery white underparts, subtly suffused buff towards rear of flanks. Note grubby whitish supercilium and broad, zigzag buffish barring on wings. Voice Utters a thin, high-pitched tseert call. Song comprises short series of high-pitched notes and ends in a trill. Status Fairly common resident of deciduous and mixed woodlands.
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  • Marsh Tit Parus palustris L 12-13cm. Pugnacious woodland bird. Similar to Willow Tit but separable using subtle differences in plumage and voice. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have black cap and bib; compared to Willow, cap is glossy, not dull, and bib is relatively small. Cheeks are whitish, upperparts are grey brown and underparts are pale grey-buff. Bill is short and legs are bluish. Voice Utters a loud pitchoo call. Song is loud and repeated chip-chip-chip… Status Locally common resident of deciduous woodland and mature gardens; commonest in S.
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  • Coal Tit Parus ater L 10-11cm. Tiny, well-marked and warbler-like bird. Sexes are similar. Adult has white cheeks and white nape patch on otherwise black head. Back and wings are bluish grey and underparts are pale pinkish buff. Note two white wingbars and dark, needle-like bill. Juvenile is similar but colours and markings are less striking. Voice Utters a thin call. Song is repeated teechu-teechu-teechu…, higher pitched and more rapid than Great Tit.<br />
Status Fairly common resident of conifer forests and mixed and deciduous woodland.
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  • Marsh Tit Parus palustris L 12-13cm. Pugnacious woodland bird. Similar to Willow Tit but separable using subtle differences in plumage and voice. Sexes are similar. Adult and juvenile have black cap and bib; compared to Willow, cap is glossy, not dull, and bib is relatively small. Cheeks are whitish, upperparts are grey brown and underparts are pale grey-buff. Bill is short and legs are bluish. Voice Utters a loud pitchoo call. Song is loud and repeated chip-chip-chip… Status Locally common resident of deciduous woodland and mature gardens; commonest in S.
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  • 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.
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  • Nuthatch Sitta europaea L 14cm. Dumpy, short-tailed woodland bird that often descends tree trunks head-first. Sexes are similar. Adult has blue-grey upperparts, black eyestripe, white cheeks and orange-buff underparts; on average, males are more reddish buff on flanks than females. Juvenile is similar but duller. Voice Utters a loud zwiit, repeated if bird is agitated. Song is a series of whistling notes. Status Fairly common resident of deciduous and mixed woodland, and gardens, mainly in England and Wales.
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  • Common Quaker Orthosia cerasi Length 18-20mm. A spring-flying woodland moth that rests with its wings held flat. Adult has forewings whose colour ranges from rich brown to grey-buff. Forewings usually show a pale cross line towards the outer margin and pale-ringed kidney and circular spots. Flies March-April. Larva feeds on deciduous trees, particularly oaks and willows. Widespread and common in lowland Britain, especially in the south.
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  • Spindle - Euonymus europaeus Celastraceae. Height to 6m <br />
Twiggy deciduous tree. Bark Smooth,grey, fissured and pink-tinged with age. Branches Numerous; young green twigs are angular. Leaves Ovate, to 10cm long, toothed. Reproductive parts Flowers yellowish, 4-petalled, in clusters. Fruits are pink capsules, 1.5cm across with 4 chambers. Status Local native of hedgerows and copses, especially on lime-rich soils.
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  • Blackcap - Sylvia atricapilla - female. L 14-15cm. Distinctive warbler with a musical song. Sexes are dissimilar. Adult male has grey-brown upperparts, dusky grey underparts, palest on throat and undertail, pale eyering and diagnostic black cap. Adult female and juveniles have grey-brown upperparts, pale buffish grey underparts (palest on throat and undertail) and reddish chestnut cap. Voice Utters a sharp tchek alarm call. Song is rich and musical warble; similar to Garden Warbler’s but contains jaunty phrases. Status Common summer visitor to deciduous woodland with dense undergrowth, scrub and mature gardens. Migrants from N Europe pass through in autumn and some remain throughout winter.
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  • Plymouth Pear - Pyrus cordata (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 8m <br />
A small, slender or slightly spreading deciduous tree. BARK Dark-brown and breaking up into small square plates. BRANCHES With spiny branches and purplish twigs. LEAVES Alternate, oval and up to 5cm long, although they are usually much smaller. The margin is finely toothed and the leaf is downy when young, becoming a dull green when older. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers open at the same time as the leaves in May and the tree is often covered with white blossom. The fruit is up to 1.8cm long, resembling a tiny pear on a long stalk, and is golden-brown at first, ripening later to red and marked by numerous brown lenticels. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A scarce native of SW Britain (also found in W France and the Iberian peninsula). Here, it is usually found in hedgerows and copses.
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  • Spindle - Euonymus europaeus Celastraceae. Height to 6m <br />
Twiggy deciduous tree. Bark Smooth,grey, fissured and pink-tinged with age. Branches Numerous; young green twigs are angular. Leaves Ovate, to 10cm long, toothed. Reproductive parts Flowers yellowish, 4-petalled, in clusters. Fruits are pink capsules, 1.5cm across with 4 chambers. Status Local native of hedgerows and copses, especially on lime-rich soils.
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  • Ash - Fraxinus excelsior Oleaceae. Height to 40m. Deciduous tree with open crown. Bark Grey, fissured with age. Branches Ascending; grey twigs flattened at nodes with conical black buds. Leaves Pinnate, to 35cm long with 7–13 lanceolate, toothed leaflets. Reproductive parts Flowers small, purple, clustered. Fruits are single-winged ‘keys’, in bunches. Status Common native; prefers calcareous or base-rich soils.
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  • Wild Cherry - Prunus avium Rosaceae. Height to 30m <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Reddish-brown, shiny, with circular lines; peels horizontally into papery strips. Branches Spreading with reddish twigs. Leaves To 15cm long, ovate, toothed. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, in clusters of 2–6. Fruits to 2cm long, rounded, ripening dark-purple, sometimes yellowish. Status Widespread native.
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  • Sweet Chestnut - Castanea sativa Fagaceae. Height to 35m <br />
Deciduous tree with fine bole. Bark Silvery and smooth at first, spirally fissured and grooved with age. Branches Lowest branches spreading, upper ones ascending. Leaves Glossy, to 25cm long, lanceolate and toothed. Reproductive parts Male catkins creamy and pendulous. Female flowers green and erect, at base of male catkins; spiny green fruits contain 3 brown nuts. Status Native of mainland Europe, planted here since Roman times.
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  • A charcoal kiln being lit in a deciduous woodland in southern England
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