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  • Osier Salix viminalis (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Spreading shrub or small tree. Rarely reaches full potential, being regularly cropped for long flexible twigs (‘withies’), used for weaving. Natural crown is narrow with slightly pendulous branches. SHOOTS Straight twigs are flexible, covered with greyish hairs when young, becoming smoother and shiny olive-brown with age. LEAVES Narrow, tapering, to 15cm long, the margin usually waved and rolled under; underside has grey woolly hairs. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins, to 3cm long, appear before leaves on separate trees; erect or slightly curved. Males are yellow, females browner. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common native tree in wet habitats. Often planted for withies, masking its true native range.
    132695.jpg
  • Osier Salix viminalis (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Spreading shrub or small tree. Rarely reaches full potential, being regularly cropped for long flexible twigs (‘withies’), used for weaving. Natural crown is narrow with slightly pendulous branches. SHOOTS Straight twigs are flexible, covered with greyish hairs when young, becoming smoother and shiny olive-brown with age. LEAVES Narrow, tapering, to 15cm long, the margin usually waved and rolled under; underside has grey woolly hairs. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins, to 3cm long, appear before leaves on separate trees; erect or slightly curved. Males are yellow, females browner. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common native tree in wet habitats. Often planted for withies, masking its true native range.
    133815.jpg
  • Osier Salix viminalis (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Spreading shrub or small tree. Rarely reaches full potential, being regularly cropped for long flexible twigs (‘withies’), used for weaving. Natural crown is narrow with slightly pendulous branches. SHOOTS Straight twigs are flexible, covered with greyish hairs when young, becoming smoother and shiny olive-brown with age. LEAVES Narrow, tapering, to 15cm long, the margin usually waved and rolled under; underside has grey woolly hairs. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins, to 3cm long, appear before leaves on separate trees; erect or slightly curved. Males are yellow, females browner. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common native tree in wet habitats. Often planted for withies, masking its true native range.
    133814.jpg
  • Osier Salix viminalis (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Spreading shrub or small tree. Rarely reaches full potential, being regularly cropped for long flexible twigs (‘withies’), used for weaving. Natural crown is narrow with slightly pendulous branches. SHOOTS Straight twigs are flexible, covered with greyish hairs when young, becoming smoother and shiny olive-brown with age. LEAVES Narrow, tapering, to 15cm long, the margin usually waved and rolled under; underside has grey woolly hairs. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins, to 3cm long, appear before leaves on separate trees; erect or slightly curved. Males are yellow, females browner. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common native tree in wet habitats. Often planted for withies, masking its true native range.
    102368.jpg
  • Osier - Salix viminalis (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Spreading shrub or small tree. Rarely reaches full potential, being regularly cropped for long flexible twigs (‘withies’), used for weaving. Natural crown is narrow with slightly pendulous branches. SHOOTS Straight twigs are flexible, covered with greyish hairs when young, becoming smoother and shiny olive-brown with age. LEAVES Narrow, tapering, to 15cm long, the margin usually waved and rolled under; underside has grey woolly hairs. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins, to 3cm long, appear before leaves on separate trees; erect or slightly curved. Males are yellow, females browner. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common native tree in wet habitats. Often planted for withies, masking its true native range.
    157441.jpg
  • Osier Salix viminalis (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Spreading shrub or small tree. Rarely reaches full potential, being regularly cropped for long flexible twigs (‘withies’), used for weaving. Natural crown is narrow with slightly pendulous branches. SHOOTS Straight twigs are flexible, covered with greyish hairs when young, becoming smoother and shiny olive-brown with age. LEAVES Narrow, tapering, to 15cm long, the margin usually waved and rolled under; underside has grey woolly hairs. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins, to 3cm long, appear before leaves on separate trees; erect or slightly curved. Males are yellow, females browner. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common native tree in wet habitats. Often planted for withies, masking its true native range.
    133881.jpg
  • Osier Salix viminalis (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Spreading shrub or small tree. Rarely reaches full potential, being regularly cropped for long flexible twigs (‘withies’), used for weaving. Natural crown is narrow with slightly pendulous branches. SHOOTS Straight twigs are flexible, covered with greyish hairs when young, becoming smoother and shiny olive-brown with age. LEAVES Narrow, tapering, to 15cm long, the margin usually waved and rolled under; underside has grey woolly hairs. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins, to 3cm long, appear before leaves on separate trees; erect or slightly curved. Males are yellow, females browner. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common native tree in wet habitats. Often planted for withies, masking its true native range.
    133752.jpg
  • Osier - Salix viminalis (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 6m <br />
Spreading shrub or small tree. Rarely reaches full potential, being regularly cropped for long flexible twigs (‘withies’), used for weaving. Natural crown is narrow with slightly pendulous branches. SHOOTS Straight twigs are flexible, covered with greyish hairs when young, becoming smoother and shiny olive-brown with age. LEAVES Narrow, tapering, to 15cm long, the margin usually waved and rolled under; underside has grey woolly hairs. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins, to 3cm long, appear before leaves on separate trees; erect or slightly curved. Males are yellow, females browner. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Common native tree in wet habitats. Often planted for withies, masking its true native range.
    157552.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.
    133186.jpg
  • 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.
    157553.jpg
  • Rauli Nothofagus procera (Fagaceae) HEIGHT to 28m <br />
Attractive, conical tree with a stout bole and striking autumn foliage. BARK Grey, with vertical plates. BRANCHES Lower branches are usually level, upper branches are more ascending. Thick, green twigs, which darken with age, bear pointed and reddish-brown buds, about 1cm long. LEAVES Alternate, to 8cm long and rather pointed at tip. Margin is wavy, minutely toothed and, on underside, the 15–22 pairs of veins are covered with fine silky hairs. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female flowers occur on same tree. Males solitary and grow in leaf axils, female flowers are also usually solitary and give rise to 4-lobed hairy capsules containing 3 shiny brown nuts. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Chile, introduced here early in 20th century and found in parks, gardens and commercial plantations.
    132746.jpg
  • European Larch - Larix decidua<br />
winter twig
    157858.jpg
  • European Larch - Larix decidua<br />
winter twig
    157858.jpg
  • Turkey Oak - Quercus cerris (Fagaceae) HEIGHT to 38m <br />
Deciduous, broadly conical oak, becoming more spreading and domed with age. BARK Thick, grey-brown, becoming fissured and forming regular, squarish plates in older trees. BRANCHES Appear swollen near base and spread upwards. Buds are covered with long hairs. LEAVES To 10–12cm long, deeply lobed with up to 10 lobes or large teeth, on 1–2cm-long, slightly downy petioles. Upper leaf surface feels rough and is deep green, lower surface is downy when new and greyish. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Catkins appear in May–June. Acorns ripen in late summer and are partly encased in a deep cup covered in long outward-pointing scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of S Europe, introduced into Britain by J. Lucombe of Exeter in 1735; now widely planted in parks and gardens and sometimes occurring in woodlands.
    157550.jpg
  • Grey Heron Ardea cinerea L 90-98cm. Familiar wetland bird. Stands motionless for long periods. Flies on broad wings with slow, deep wingbeats; neck is held hunched. Sexes are similar. Adult has whitish grey head, neck and underparts with dark streaks on front of neck and breast; note white forecrown and black sides to crown leading to black nape feathers. Back and upperwings are blue-grey; flight feathers are black. Dagger-like bill is yellowish. Juvenile is similar but crown and forehead are dark grey. Voice Utters a harsh krrarnk in flight. Status Common resident. Favours freshwater wetlands but also on coasts in winter.
    156637.jpg
  • White Poplar - Populus alba Salicaceae Height to 20m <br />
Elegant, open tree. Bark Pale with diamond-shaped scars. Shoots With white felt in spring. Leaves Lobed, grey-green above, dense white felt below. Reproductive parts Male catkins ovoid, white and fluffy; female catkins slender and greenish. Status Long-established introduction.
    157551.jpg
  • Grey Heron Ardea cinerea L 90-98cm. Familiar wetland bird. Stands motionless for long periods. Flies on broad wings with slow, deep wingbeats; neck is held hunched. Sexes are similar. Adult has whitish grey head, neck and underparts with dark streaks on front of neck and breast; note white forecrown and black sides to crown leading to black nape feathers. Back and upperwings are blue-grey; flight feathers are black. Dagger-like bill is yellowish. Juvenile is similar but crown and forehead are dark grey. Voice Utters a harsh krrarnk in flight. Status Common resident. Favours freshwater wetlands but also on coasts in winter.
    144076.jpg
  • Grey Heron Ardea cinerea L 90-98cm. Familiar wetland bird. Stands motionless for long periods. Flies on broad wings with slow, deep wingbeats; neck is held hunched. Sexes are similar. Adult has whitish grey head, neck and underparts with dark streaks on front of neck and breast; note white forecrown and black sides to crown leading to black nape feathers. Back and upperwings are blue-grey; flight feathers are black. Dagger-like bill is yellowish. Juvenile is similar but crown and forehead are dark grey. Voice Utters a harsh krrarnk in flight. Status Common resident. Favours freshwater wetlands but also on coasts in winter.
    143773.jpg
  • Grey Heron Ardea cinerea L 90-98cm. Familiar wetland bird. Stands motionless for long periods. Flies on broad wings with slow, deep wingbeats; neck is held hunched. Sexes are similar. Adult has whitish grey head, neck and underparts with dark streaks on front of neck and breast; note white forecrown and black sides to crown leading to black nape feathers. Back and upperwings are blue-grey; flight feathers are black. Dagger-like bill is yellowish. Juvenile is similar but crown and forehead are dark grey. Voice Utters a harsh krrarnk in flight. Status Common resident. Favours freshwater wetlands but also on coasts in winter.
    145776.jpg
  • Turkey Oak - Quercus cerris (Fagaceae) HEIGHT to 38m <br />
Deciduous, broadly conical oak, becoming more spreading and domed with age. BARK Thick, grey-brown, becoming fissured and forming regular, squarish plates in older trees. BRANCHES Appear swollen near base and spread upwards. Buds are covered with long hairs. LEAVES To 10–12cm long, deeply lobed with up to 10 lobes or large teeth, on 1–2cm-long, slightly downy petioles. Upper leaf surface feels rough and is deep green, lower surface is downy when new and greyish. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Catkins appear in May–June. Acorns ripen in late summer and are partly encased in a deep cup covered in long outward-pointing scales. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of S Europe, introduced into Britain by J. Lucombe of Exeter in 1735; now widely planted in parks and gardens and sometimes occurring in woodlands.
    157559.jpg
  • Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus L 11-12cm. Familiar garden and woodland bird. Sexes are similar. Adult has greenish back, blue wings and yellow underparts. Mainly white head is demarcated by dark blue collar, connecting to dark eyestripe and dark bib; cap is blue. Bill is short and stubby and legs are bluish. Male is brighter than female. Juvenile is similar but colours are subdued. Voice Call is chattering tser err-err-err. Song contains whistling and trilling elements. Status Common resident of deciduous woodland, parks and gardens.
    133168.jpg
  • Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Wingspan 110-125cm.Graceful wetland raptor.  Adult male is mostly reddish brown with blue-grey head and grey tail. In flight, note patches of grey and reddish brown on wings, and black wingtips. Adult female is mainly dark brown with pale leading edge to wings and pale cap and chin. Tail is reddish brown. Juvenile is similar to an adult female but tail is dark brown. Voice – mainly silent. Status and habitat – Commonest in summer months, but some birds are present year-round. Usually seen in flight over marshes and reedbeds. Easiest to see in East Anglia.
    145417.jpg
  • Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias
    160548.jpg
  • Great Egret - Ardea alba
    160568.jpg
  • Great Egret - Ardea alba
    160560.jpg
  • Blue Tit - Cyanistes caeruleus
    163340.jpg
  • Great Blue Heron - Ardea herodias
    160556.jpg
  • Double-crested Cormorant - Phalacrocorax auritis
    160527.jpg
  • Olive/Hoary Willow Salix elaeagnos (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 6m. Similar to Osier. SHOOTS Young twigs have dense grey or white hairs; older twigs become yellow-brown and smooth. LEAVES Species is best recognised by studying leaves: has matt white hairs beneath; dark shiny green above when mature. Leaves, to 15cm long and less than 1cm wide, have untoothed margins. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins appear on separate trees, just before leaves; reddish, male catkins to 3cm long, female catkins smaller. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Europe, sometimes planted here for ornament.
    134449.jpg
  • Common Alder Alnus glutinosa Betulaceae Height to 25m. Spreading, often multi-stemmed tree. Bark Brownish, fissured into squarish plates. Branches Ascending in young trees. Young twigs sticky. Buds 7mm long, on 3mm-long stalks. Leaves Stalked, to 10cm long, rounded with notched apex. Reproductive parts Purplish male catkins, in bunches of 2–3, appear first in winter. Female catkins cone-like, reddish at first ripening green by summer. Status Common beside water.
    130137.jpg
  • Hazel Corylus avellana Betulaceae Height to 6m<br />
Multi-stemmed shrub, or short tree. Bark Smooth, shiny, peeling into papery strips. Branches Upright to spreading. Twigs with stiff hairs, buds oval and smooth. Leaves Rounded, to 10cm long, hairy above; heart-shaped base and pointed tip. Margins double-toothed. Reproductive parts Male catkins to 8cm long, pendulous and yellow. Female flowers red and tiny; produce hard-shelled nuts. Status Common, often coppiced.
    130166.jpg
  • Wild Privet Ligustrum vulgare Oleaceae Height to 5m<br />
Branched, semi-evergreen shrub. Bark Reddish brown with distinct gashes. Branches Dense, much-divided; twigs downy. Leaves Shiny, untoothed, oval, opposite. Reproductive parts Flowers creamy white, 4-5mm across, fragrant and 4-petalled; in terminal spikes. Fruits shiny, black and clustered. Status Native on calcareous soils but also widely planted.
    133236.jpg
  • Downy Birch Betula pubescens Betulaceae Height to 25m<br />
Elegant tree. Bark Reddish in young trees; thick and grey with age, does not break into rectangular plates at base. Branches Denser and more untidy than Silver Birch, mostly erect, never pendulous. Twigs with downy white hairs in spring. Leaves Rounded at base, evenly toothed; hairy petiole. Reproductive parts Catkins similar to Silver Birch but seeds have smaller wings. Status Commonest in west and north.
    130266.jpg
  • Small-leaved Lime Tilia cordata Tiliaceae Height to 32m<br />
Deciduous tree; dense crown, untidy with age. Bark Smooth, grey; darkens and flakes with age. Branches Ascending; twigs reddish above, olive below. Leaves To 9cm long, rounded with heart-shaped base; vein axils hairy below. Reproductive parts Flowers 5-petalled, pale with green bract; project in all directions. Fruit round, hard, 6mm across. Status Local.
    130256.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.
    130253.jpg
  • Bird Cherry Prunus padus Rosaceae Height to 17m <br />
Deciduous tree, domed with age. Bark Smooth, dark grey-brown; unpleasant smell if rubbed. Branches Mostly ascending, with downy twigs. Leaves Elliptical, to 10cm long, toothed, tapering at tip. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, in 15cm-long spikes. Fruits to 8mm long, shiny black. Status Local, mainly on limestone in N; also widely planted.
    130185.jpg
  • English Elm Ulmus procera Ulmaceae Height to 36m <br />
High domed and lofty. BARK Dark, grooved with squarish plates. Branches Main ones ascending. Twigs reddish, hairy. Leaves Rough, rounded to oval; unequal base does not reach beyond petiole. Reproductive parts Fruits papery, to 1.5cm long, short-stalked. Status Fairly common but declining.
    130182.jpg
  • Silver Birch  Betula pendula Betulaceae Height to 26m<br />
Acquires weeping habit with age. Bark Thick, fissured at base, forming rectangular plates; smooth silvery-white higher up trunk. Branches Ascending; twigs and shoots pendulous. Leaves To 7cm long, triangular, toothed; turn yellow in autumn. Reproductive parts Male catkins terminal, yellow, pendulous. Female catkins greenish, in leaf axils; produce winged seeds when mature. Status Common, especially on heaths.
    130144.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.
    133235.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.
    133188.jpg
  • WILD PRIVET Ligusticum vulgare (Oleaceae) Height to 10m<br />
Much-branched, semi-evergreen shrub that has downy young twigs. Found in hedgerows and areas of scrub, mainly on chalk and limestone soils. FLOWERS are 4-5mm across, creamy white, fragrant and 4-petalled; they are borne in terminal spikes (May-Jun). FRUITS are shiny, globular and poisonous, ripening black in the autumn; borne in clusters. LEAVES are shiny, untoothed, oval and opposite.
    130257.jpg
  • Lime Tilia x europaea Tiliaceae Height to 46m<br />
Hybrid between Small-leaved and Large-leaved Limes; suckers freely. Bark Grey-brown, ridged. Branches Ascending and arching; twigs green. Leaves To 10cm long, ovate with heart-shaped base; hairs in vein axils below. Reproductive parts Flowers yellowish, 5-petalled, clustered, with greenish bract. Fruit hard and rounded. Status Widely planted.
    130252.jpg
  • 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.
    130249.jpg
  • Hornbeam Carpinus betulus Betulaceae Height to 30m <br />
Robust tree; bole gnarled and twisted. Bark Silvery-grey and fissured. Branches Ascending and twisted; twigs greyish-brown, hairy. Leaves Oval, pointed with rounded base, short petiole, and double-toothed margin; 15 pairs of veins. Reproductive parts Male catkins, to 5cm long, yellowish-green with red scales. Fruits are clusters of winged nutlets. Status Locally common, sometimes planted and coppiced for hard timber.
    130184.jpg
  • Alder Buckthorn Frangula alnus Rhamnaceae HEIGHT to 5m.<br />
Sprawling tree. Bark Smooth, grey with vertical furrows. Branches Spreading, twigs with fine hairs. Leaves Ovate, to 7cm long, with entire margins. Reproductive parts Flowers greenish, 5-petalled, 3mm across, in small axillary clusters. Fruits berry-like, 1cm across, green ripening yellow, red then black. Status Locally common on damp, acid soils.
    130165.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.
    130142.jpg
  • Wych Elm Ulmus glabra Ulmaceae Height to 40m<br />
Spreading tree. Bark Cracked and ridged with age. Branches Main ones spreading. Young twigs have stiff hairs. Leaves Oval, to 18cm long, with tapering tip. Unequal base extends beyond petiole. Reproductive parts Fruits papery, to 2cm long. Status Widespread but much reduced by Dutch Elm Disease; large trees seldom seen nowadays.
    130136.jpg
  • Dogwood Cornus sanguinea Cornaceae Height to 4m <br />
Shrub or small tree. Bark Grey, smooth. Branches Twigs are distinctive dark red in winter. Leaves Opposite, oval, with entire margins and 3–4 pairs of prominent veins. Reproductive parts Flowers small, white, in large terminal clusters. Fruits are blackish, rounded berries; borne in clusters. Status Common native on calcareous soils; also widely planted.
    133234.jpg
  • Common Pear (Cultivated Pear) Pyrus communis (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 20m. A normally upright and slender deciduous tree with a stout bole and a dense framework unless pruned. BARK Dark-brown and breaking up into small square plates. BRANCHES Ascending in young trees, but becoming more spreading in older specimens; some branches may bear a few spines. Young twigs are reddish-brown and sparsely hairy, but they become smoother with age. LEAVES Up to 8cm long, and usually oval to elliptic in shape, but there is always some variation; the margins have numerous small teeth, and the leaves are smooth and almost glossy when mature. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The flowers are pure white and open before the leaves have fully expanded, typically two to four weeks earlier and cultivated apples flower in the same location. A pear orchard is a spectacular sight on a sunny spring day. The pear-shaped fruits may be up to 12cm long, with a soft, but slightly gritty, sweet-tasting flesh. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of western Asia originally, but cultivated for millennia and now widespread across Europe, including Britain and Ireland
    133187.jpg
  • Silver Birch  Betula pendula Betulaceae Height to 26m<br />
Acquires weeping habit with age. Bark Thick, fissured at base, forming rectangular plates; smooth silvery-white higher up trunk. Branches Ascending; twigs and shoots pendulous. Leaves To 7cm long, triangular, toothed; turn yellow in autumn. Reproductive parts Male catkins terminal, yellow, pendulous. Female catkins greenish, in leaf axils; produce winged seeds when mature. Status Common, especially on heaths.
    130267.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.
    130250.jpg
  • Dogwood Cornus sanguinea Cornaceae Height to 4m <br />
Shrub or small tree. Bark Grey, smooth. Branches Twigs are distinctive dark red in winter. Leaves Opposite, oval, with entire margins and 3–4 pairs of prominent veins. Reproductive parts Flowers small, white, in large terminal clusters. Fruits are blackish, rounded berries; borne in clusters. Status Common native on calcareous soils; also widely planted.
    130167.jpg
  • Guelder-rose Viburnum opulus Caprifoliaceae Height to 4m<br />
Spreading deciduous tree. Bark Reddish brown. Branches Sinuous; twigs smooth, angular and greyish. Leaves Opposite, to 8cm long, with 3–5 irregularly toothed lobes. Reproductive parts Flowers white, in flat heads with showy, outer flowers and smaller, inner ones. Fruit is rounded, translucent red berry, in clusters. Status Favours calcareous soils.
    130141.jpg
  • Norway Maple Acer platanoides Aceraceae Height to 30m. Spreading deciduous tree. Bark Smooth, grey, ridged. Branches Less crowded than Sycamore; twigs green, often tinged red. Leaves To 15cm long with 5–7 toothed and sharply pointed lobes. Reproductive parts Greenish flowers, in erect clusters of 30–40. Paired wings of fruits spread almost horizontally. Status Introduced, widely planted and naturalised.
    130261.jpg
  • Cultivated Apple Malus domestica (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 15m. A familiar orchard tree producing copious quantities of edible fruits. BARK Usually brown and fissured. BRANCHES Tangled unless pruned. The twigs are downy. LEAVES Up to 13cm long, elliptical and rounded at the base with a slightly pointed tip and toothed margin. They are slightly downy on the upper surface and normally very downy on the lower surface. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are white or tinged with pink and, in some varieties, produced abundantly in short-stalked clusters. The fruits are normally larger than 5cm in diameter and indented at the pedicel. A great variety of shapes, sizes, tastes and colours exist. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Almost al¬ways found in cultivation in orchards and gardens across much of Britain and Ireland. Occasionally naturalized, or found in isolated places where human habitation once occurred, or where apple cores, containing  seeds (‘pips’) have been discarded. Cultivated Apple is a hybrid species, probably between the wild Crab Apple M. sylvestris and M. dasyphylla, and possibly M. praecox.
    133190.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.
    133189.jpg
  • 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.
    130188.jpg
  • Blackthorn Prunus spinosa Rosaceae Height to 6m <br />
Nb use map T108blac <br />
Pics 122164 and 135140 and 129655<br />
Densely branched shrub. Bark Blackish-brown. Branches Spreading, with spiny twigs. Leaves Ovate, toothed, to 4.5cm long. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, to 17mm across; produced prolifically (Feb-Mar). Fruits (Sloes) to 1.5cm long, ovoid, blue-black with a bloom. Status Common.
    130183.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.
    130143.jpg
  • Common Walnut - Juglans regia Juglandaceae Height to 30m <br />
Spreading, domed tree. Bark Brown at first, grey and fissured with age. Branches Lowest ones spreading; twisted twigs bear purple-brown buds. Leaves Compound, with 7–9 leaflets, to 15cm long; thick and leathery. Reproductive parts Male catkins yellow, to 15cm long; female flowers small, greenish. Fruits green, rounded, to 5cm across, encasing edible Walnut seed. Status Cultivated since Roman times.
    157485.jpg
  • Common Alder Alnus glutinosa Betulaceae Height to 25m. Spreading, often multi-stemmed tree. Bark Brownish, fissured into squarish plates. Branches Ascending in young trees. Young twigs sticky. Buds 7mm long, on 3mm-long stalks. Leaves Stalked, to 10cm long, rounded with notched apex. Reproductive parts Purplish male catkins, in bunches of 2–3, appear first in winter. Female catkins cone-like, reddish at first ripening green by summer. Status Common beside water.
    133262.jpg
  • Alder Buckthorn Frangula alnus Rhamnaceae HEIGHT to 5m.<br />
Sprawling tree. Bark Smooth, grey with vertical furrows. Branches Spreading, twigs with fine hairs. Leaves Ovate, to 7cm long, with entire margins. Reproductive parts Flowers greenish, 5-petalled, 3mm across, in small axillary clusters. Fruits berry-like, 1cm across, green ripening yellow, red then black. Status Locally common on damp, acid soils.
    129709.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.
    129695.jpg
  • English Elm Ulmus procera Ulmaceae Height to 36m <br />
High domed and lofty. BARK Dark, grooved with squarish plates. Branches Main ones ascending. Twigs reddish, hairy. Leaves Rough, rounded to oval; unequal base does not reach beyond petiole. Reproductive parts Fruits papery, to 1.5cm long, short-stalked. Status Fairly common but declining.
    129690.jpg
  • Common Alder Alnus glutinosa Betulaceae Height to 25m. Spreading, often multi-stemmed tree. Bark Brownish, fissured into squarish plates. Branches Ascending in young trees. Young twigs sticky. Buds 7mm long, on 3mm-long stalks. Leaves Stalked, to 10cm long, rounded with notched apex. Reproductive parts Purplish male catkins, in bunches of 2–3, appear first in winter. Female catkins cone-like, reddish at first ripening green by summer. Status Common beside water.
    129630.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.
    129865.jpg
  • Alder Buckthorn Frangula alnus Rhamnaceae HEIGHT to 5m.<br />
Sprawling tree. Bark Smooth, grey with vertical furrows. Branches Spreading, twigs with fine hairs. Leaves Ovate, to 7cm long, with entire margins. Reproductive parts Flowers greenish, 5-petalled, 3mm across, in small axillary clusters. Fruits berry-like, 1cm across, green ripening yellow, red then black. Status Locally common on damp, acid soils.
    135455.jpg
  • Common Alder Alnus glutinosa Betulaceae Height to 25m. Spreading, often multi-stemmed tree. Bark Brownish, fissured into squarish plates. Branches Ascending in young trees. Young twigs sticky. Buds 7mm long, on 3mm-long stalks. Leaves Stalked, to 10cm long, rounded with notched apex. Reproductive parts Purplish male catkins, in bunches of 2–3, appear first in winter. Female catkins cone-like, reddish at first ripening green by summer. Status Common beside water.
    118391.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.
    135216.jpg
  • Bird Cherry Prunus padus Rosaceae Height to 17m <br />
Deciduous tree, domed with age. Bark Smooth, dark grey-brown; unpleasant smell if rubbed. Branches Mostly ascending, with downy twigs. Leaves Elliptical, to 10cm long, toothed, tapering at tip. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, in 15cm-long spikes. Fruits to 8mm long, shiny black. Status Local, mainly on limestone in N; also widely planted.
    134468.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.
    129863.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.
    133184.jpg
  • Copper Beech twig - Fagus sylvatica'Atropunicea' (Purpurea)
    157457.jpg
  • White-barred Clearwing - Synanthedon spheciformis - larvae inside Alder twig
    157411.jpg
  • White-barred Clearwing - Synanthedon spheciformis - larvae inside Alder twig
    157409.jpg
  • Huntingdon Elm - Ulmus x hollandica var vegeta - winter twig
    157892.jpg
  • Smooth-leaved Elm - Ulmus minor<br />
var. minor<br />
winter twig
    157856.jpg
  • Copper Beech - Fagus sylvatica'Atropunicea' (Purpurea)<br />
winter twig
    157855.jpg
  • Grey Willow - Salix cinerea<br />
winter twig
    157854.jpg
  • Copper Beech - Fagus sylvatica'Atropunicea' (Purpurea)<br />
winter twig
    157855.jpg
  • Grey Willow - Salix cinerea<br />
winter twig
    157854.jpg
  • English Elm - Ulmus minor var.vulgaris<br />
winter twig
    157857.jpg
  • English Elm - Ulmus minor var.vulgaris<br />
winter twig
    157857.jpg
  • Smooth-leaved Elm - Ulmus minor<br />
var. minor<br />
winter twig
    157856.jpg
  • Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Hippocastanaceae <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Greyish-brown, flaking. Branches Snap easily. Winter buds shiny brown, sticky, with shield-shaped leaf scar. Leaves Long-stalked, palmate, with up to 7 leaflets, each 25cm long. Reproductive parts In panicles, to 30cm tall, comprising 40+ 5-petalled, pink-spotted white flowers. Fruits spiny-cased and rounded, containing round seed (‘conker’). Status Native of Balkans, long established here.
    130420.jpg
  • 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.
    130139.jpg
  • 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.
    133185.jpg
  • Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Hippocastanaceae <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Greyish-brown, flaking. Branches Snap easily. Winter buds shiny brown, sticky, with shield-shaped leaf scar. Leaves Long-stalked, palmate, with up to 7 leaflets, each 25cm long. Reproductive parts In panicles, to 30cm tall, comprising 40+ 5-petalled, pink-spotted white flowers. Fruits spiny-cased and rounded, containing round seed (‘conker’). Status Native of Balkans, long established here.
    130525.jpg
  • Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Hippocastanaceae <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Greyish-brown, flaking. Branches Snap easily. Winter buds shiny brown, sticky, with shield-shaped leaf scar. Leaves Long-stalked, palmate, with up to 7 leaflets, each 25cm long. Reproductive parts In panicles, to 30cm tall, comprising 40+ 5-petalled, pink-spotted white flowers. Fruits spiny-cased and rounded, containing round seed (‘conker’). Status Native of Balkans, long established here.
    130465.jpg
  • Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Hippocastanaceae <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Greyish-brown, flaking. Branches Snap easily. Winter buds shiny brown, sticky, with shield-shaped leaf scar. Leaves Long-stalked, palmate, with up to 7 leaflets, each 25cm long. Reproductive parts In panicles, to 30cm tall, comprising 40+ 5-petalled, pink-spotted white flowers. Fruits spiny-cased and rounded, containing round seed (‘conker’). Status Native of Balkans, long established here.
    130436.jpg
  • Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Hippocastanaceae <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Greyish-brown, flaking. Branches Snap easily. Winter buds shiny brown, sticky, with shield-shaped leaf scar. Leaves Long-stalked, palmate, with up to 7 leaflets, each 25cm long. Reproductive parts In panicles, to 30cm tall, comprising 40+ 5-petalled, pink-spotted white flowers. Fruits spiny-cased and rounded, containing round seed (‘conker’). Status Native of Balkans, long established here.
    130434.jpg
  • Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Hippocastanaceae <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Greyish-brown, flaking. Branches Snap easily. Winter buds shiny brown, sticky, with shield-shaped leaf scar. Leaves Long-stalked, palmate, with up to 7 leaflets, each 25cm long. Reproductive parts In panicles, to 30cm tall, comprising 40+ 5-petalled, pink-spotted white flowers. Fruits spiny-cased and rounded, containing round seed (‘conker’). Status Native of Balkans, long established here.
    130421.jpg
  • Buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica Rhamnaceae Height to 10m<br />
Spreading deciduous shrub or small tree. Bark Dark orange-brown, fissured with age. Branches With slender, slightly spiny shoots. Leaves Ovate to rounded, to 6cm long, finely toothed; veins converge towards leaf tip. Reproductive parts Flowers fragrant, with 4 green petals. Fruit is black, shiny and 8mm across. Status Local native, mainly on chalky soils.
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  • Grey Poplar Populus x canescens (Salicaceae) HEIGHT to 37m <br />
Stable hybrid between White Poplar and Aspen. When fully mature, grows into an impressively large tree with a good solid bole. In spring the tree has a whitish appearance when the wind displaces the leaves, but it is not as brilliantly white as the White Poplar. BARK Whitish with diamond-shaped fissures. LEAVES Rounded to oval and toothed with regular blunt, forward-pointing teeth; borne on long petioles. Leaf upper surface is glossy grey-green and lower surface is covered with a greyish-white felt. By mid- to late summer the leaves lose some of the white felt and the tree looks greyer. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male and female catkins are borne on separate trees. Fe¬male trees with green, pendulous catkins are rare. Male catkins are elongated and pendulous, giving whole tree a purplish col¬our when they swell before opening in spring. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of mainland Europe and introduced into Britain very early, probably with the White Poplar.
    130255.jpg
  • 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.
    130187.jpg
  • Wild Crab Malus sylvestris Rosaceae Height to 10m <br />
Slender deciduous tree. Bark Deep brown, cracking into oblong plates. Branches Often spiny; even shoots can be thorny. Leaves To 11cm long, oval and toothed. Reproductive parts Flowers 5-petalled, to 4cm across, white, sometimes pink-tinged. Fruits to 4cm across, rounded, yellowish-green, hard and sour. Status Locally common native of hedges and woods.
    130186.jpg
  • White Willow Salix alba Salicaceae Height to 25m<br />
Broadly columnar tree. Bark Dark grey. Shoots Yellowish grey, downy at first. Leaves Blue-grey. Reproductive parts Male catkins small and ovoid. Female catkins longer and green. Status Common in damp, lowland habitats.
    133191.jpg
  • Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Hippocastanaceae <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Greyish-brown, flaking. Branches Snap easily. Winter buds shiny brown, sticky, with shield-shaped leaf scar. Leaves Long-stalked, palmate, with up to 7 leaflets, each 25cm long. Reproductive parts In panicles, to 30cm tall, comprising 40+ 5-petalled, pink-spotted white flowers. Fruits spiny-cased and rounded, containing round seed (‘conker’). Status Native of Balkans, long established here.
    130444.jpg
  • Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Hippocastanaceae <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Greyish-brown, flaking. Branches Snap easily. Winter buds shiny brown, sticky, with shield-shaped leaf scar. Leaves Long-stalked, palmate, with up to 7 leaflets, each 25cm long. Reproductive parts In panicles, to 30cm tall, comprising 40+ 5-petalled, pink-spotted white flowers. Fruits spiny-cased and rounded, containing round seed (‘conker’). Status Native of Balkans, long established here.
    130435.jpg
  • Horse-chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum Hippocastanaceae <br />
Deciduous tree with domed crown. Bark Greyish-brown, flaking. Branches Snap easily. Winter buds shiny brown, sticky, with shield-shaped leaf scar. Leaves Long-stalked, palmate, with up to 7 leaflets, each 25cm long. Reproductive parts In panicles, to 30cm tall, comprising 40+ 5-petalled, pink-spotted white flowers. Fruits spiny-cased and rounded, containing round seed (‘conker’). Status Native of Balkans, long established here.
    130428.jpg
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