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  • 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.
    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.
    157993.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
  • Huntingdon Elm Ulmus x vegeta (Ulmaceae) HEIGHT to 30m<br />
Widely spreading tree with a domed crown. BARK Greyish and broken into regular ridges. BRANCHES Main branches are long, straight and upright to spreading. LEAVES Ovate to elliptical with a pointed tip and toothed margins; base is markedly unequal and upper surface of leaf is smooth. Leaves are rather similar to those of Wych Elm but with a petiole more than 5mm long. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Papery fruit. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A naturally occurring hybrid between Wych Elm and Ulmus glabra, found in East Anglia and central England. However, the true native distribution is obscured because cultivars, raised from the same parents, are widely planted. COMMENTS The cultivar known as ‘Huntingdon Elm’ is popularly planted and has a degree of resistance to Dutch Elm Disease.
    134406.jpg
  • Japanese Elm Ulmus japonica (Ulmaceae) HEIGHT to 8m<br />
Spreading, low-growing tree. BARK Grey-brown, scaly and ridged. BRANCHES Upright and spreading with downy shoots. LEAVES Narrow-ovate, to 10cm long, dark green, rough above, downy below; leaf bases unequal. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Papery fruits. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, planted here partly for its resistance to Dutch Elm Disease.
    132263.jpg
  • Hubei Crab Malus hupehensis (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 15m<br />
Broadly domed and spreading tree. BARK Reddish brown with scaly plates. BRANCHES Long and spreading, lower ones with shoots that almost reach the ground. LEAVES Narrowly ovate, pointed at the tip, to 10cm long, shiny green above and borne on a rather long, downy petiole. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are white, arising from pink buds. Fruits are reddish and 1cm across. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Scarce native of E Asia, planted widely here in parks and gardens.
    132893.jpg
  • Hubei Crab Malus hupehensis (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 15m<br />
Broadly domed and spreading tree. BARK Reddish brown with scaly plates. BRANCHES Long and spreading, lower ones with shoots that almost reach the ground. LEAVES Narrowly ovate, pointed at the tip, to 10cm long, shiny green above and borne on a rather long, downy petiole. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are white, arising from pink buds. Fruits are reddish and 1cm across. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Scarce native of E Asia, planted widely here in parks and gardens.
    132759.jpg
  • Hubei Crab Malus hupehensis (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 15m<br />
Broadly domed and spreading tree. BARK Reddish brown with scaly plates. BRANCHES Long and spreading, lower ones with shoots that almost reach the ground. LEAVES Narrowly ovate, pointed at the tip, to 10cm long, shiny green above and borne on a rather long, downy petiole. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are white, arising from pink buds. Fruits are reddish and 1cm across. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Scarce native of E Asia, planted widely here in parks and gardens.
    134407.jpg
  • Hubei Crab Malus hupehensis (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 15m<br />
Broadly domed and spreading tree. BARK Reddish brown with scaly plates. BRANCHES Long and spreading, lower ones with shoots that almost reach the ground. LEAVES Narrowly ovate, pointed at the tip, to 10cm long, shiny green above and borne on a rather long, downy petiole. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are white, arising from pink buds. Fruits are reddish and 1cm across. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Scarce native of E Asia, planted widely here in parks and gardens.
    132895.jpg
  • Hubei Crab Malus hupehensis (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 15m<br />
Broadly domed and spreading tree. BARK Reddish brown with scaly plates. BRANCHES Long and spreading, lower ones with shoots that almost reach the ground. LEAVES Narrowly ovate, pointed at the tip, to 10cm long, shiny green above and borne on a rather long, downy petiole. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are white, arising from pink buds. Fruits are reddish and 1cm across. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Scarce native of E Asia, planted widely here in parks and gardens.
    132894.jpg
  • Hubei Crab Malus hupehensis (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 15m<br />
Broadly domed and spreading tree. BARK Reddish brown with scaly plates. BRANCHES Long and spreading, lower ones with shoots that almost reach the ground. LEAVES Narrowly ovate, pointed at the tip, to 10cm long, shiny green above and borne on a rather long, downy petiole. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are white, arising from pink buds. Fruits are reddish and 1cm across. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Scarce native of E Asia, planted widely here in parks and gardens.
    132757.jpg
  • Hubei Crab Malus hupehensis (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 15m<br />
Broadly domed and spreading tree. BARK Reddish brown with scaly plates. BRANCHES Long and spreading, lower ones with shoots that almost reach the ground. LEAVES Narrowly ovate, pointed at the tip, to 10cm long, shiny green above and borne on a rather long, downy petiole. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are white, arising from pink buds. Fruits are reddish and 1cm across. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Scarce native of E Asia, planted widely here in parks and gardens.
    134588.jpg
  • Hubei Crab Malus hupehensis (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 15m<br />
Broadly domed and spreading tree. BARK Reddish brown with scaly plates. BRANCHES Long and spreading, lower ones with shoots that almost reach the ground. LEAVES Narrowly ovate, pointed at the tip, to 10cm long, shiny green above and borne on a rather long, downy petiole. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are white, arising from pink buds. Fruits are reddish and 1cm across. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Scarce native of E Asia, planted widely here in parks and gardens.
    133577.jpg
  • Hubei Crab Malus hupehensis (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 15m<br />
Broadly domed and spreading tree. BARK Reddish brown with scaly plates. BRANCHES Long and spreading, lower ones with shoots that almost reach the ground. LEAVES Narrowly ovate, pointed at the tip, to 10cm long, shiny green above and borne on a rather long, downy petiole. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are white, arising from pink buds. Fruits are reddish and 1cm across. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Scarce native of E Asia, planted widely here in parks and gardens.
    133576.jpg
  • Hubei Crab Malus hupehensis (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 15m<br />
Broadly domed and spreading tree. BARK Reddish brown with scaly plates. BRANCHES Long and spreading, lower ones with shoots that almost reach the ground. LEAVES Narrowly ovate, pointed at the tip, to 10cm long, shiny green above and borne on a rather long, downy petiole. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are white, arising from pink buds. Fruits are reddish and 1cm across. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Scarce native of E Asia, planted widely here in parks and gardens.
    132756.jpg
  • Japanese Elm Ulmus japonica (Ulmaceae) HEIGHT to 8m<br />
Spreading, low-growing tree. BARK Grey-brown, scaly and ridged. BRANCHES Upright and spreading with downy shoots. LEAVES Narrow-ovate, to 10cm long, dark green, rough above, downy below; leaf bases unequal. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Papery fruits. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Japan, planted here partly for its resistance to Dutch Elm Disease.
    132285.jpg
  • Huntingdon Elm - Ulmus x vegeta (Ulmaceae) HEIGHT to 30m<br />
Widely spreading tree with a domed crown. BARK Greyish and broken into regular ridges. BRANCHES Main branches are long, straight and upright to spreading. LEAVES Ovate to elliptical with a pointed tip and toothed margins; base is markedly unequal and upper surface of leaf is smooth. Leaves are rather similar to those of Wych Elm but with a petiole more than 5mm long. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Papery fruit. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A naturally occurring hybrid between Wych Elm and Ulmus glabra, found in East Anglia and central England. However, the true native distribution is obscured because cultivars, raised from the same parents, are widely planted. COMMENTS The cultivar known as ‘Huntingdon Elm’ is popularly planted and has a degree of resistance to Dutch Elm Disease.
    157452.jpg
  • SPREADING HEDGE-PARSLEY Torilis arvensis (Apiaceae) Height to 40cm. Wiry, branched and spreading annual. Found in arable fields on chalky soils. FLOWERS are white and borne in long-stalked umbels, 2-4cm across, with 3-5 rays; bracts absent (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are egg-shaped; spines curved but lack hooks. LEAVES are 1- to 2-pinnate. STATUS-mainly SE England; declining.
    141582.jpg
  • SPREADING HEDGE-PARSLEY Torilis arvensis (Apiaceae) Height to 40cm. Wiry, branched and spreading annual. Found in arable fields on chalky soils. FLOWERS are white and borne in long-stalked umbels, 2-4cm across, with 3-5 rays; bracts absent (Jul-Sep). FRUITS are egg-shaped; spines curved but lack hooks. LEAVES are 1- to 2-pinnate. STATUS-mainly SE England; declining.
    141581.jpg
  • Rum Cherry (Black Cherry) Prunus serotina (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 22m. A spreading deciduous tree with a stout trunk. BARK Greyish, peeling away in strips and fissured in older trees; a strange, bitter smell is released if the bark is damaged. BRANCHES Spreading and dense, the outer extremes sometimes weeping. LEAVES Larger than those of Bird Cherry at up to 14cm long, shiny above and with fine forward-pointing teeth on the margin; the midrib on the underside has patches of hairs along it, which help separate this species from other similar cherries. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The flowers are very similar to those of Bird Cherry, but the spike may contain fewer than 30 flowers, the pedicels are shorter and the white petals are toothed at the margins. The black fruits contain a bitter-tasting flesh and a rounded smooth stone. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of N America, planted for timber and ornament in much of Europe, including Britain and Ireland, and naturalised in many places, including S England.
    134633.jpg
  • FIDDLE DOCK Rumex pulcher (Polygonaceae) Height to 30cm. Upright to spreading perennial with branches spreading at right angles. Favours well-drained soil, often near the coast. FLOWERS are borne on spikes in widely separated whorls (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are toothed and have 3 tubercles. LEAVES are up to 10cm, and waisted and violin-shaped. STATUS-Local, and restricted to S England and S Wales.
    131353.jpg
  • Wild Pear Pyrus pyraster Rosaceae Height to 15m <br />
Deciduous spreading shrub or small tree. Bark Grey-brown, breaking into square plates. Branches Spreading and spiny; twigs smooth and greyish brown. Leaves To 7cm long, elliptical with toothed margin. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, long-stalked; produced in quantity. Fruits rounded, hard, to 3.5cm across, yellowish brown. Status Local native.
    135147.jpg
  • Wild Pear Pyrus pyraster Rosaceae Height to 15m <br />
Deciduous spreading shrub or small tree. Bark Grey-brown, breaking into square plates. Branches Spreading and spiny; twigs smooth and greyish brown. Leaves To 7cm long, elliptical with toothed margin. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, long-stalked; produced in quantity. Fruits rounded, hard, to 3.5cm across, yellowish brown. Status Local native.
    135145.jpg
  • Rum Cherry (Black Cherry) Prunus serotina (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 22m. A spreading deciduous tree with a stout trunk. BARK Greyish, peeling away in strips and fissured in older trees; a strange, bitter smell is released if the bark is damaged. BRANCHES Spreading and dense, the outer extremes sometimes weeping. LEAVES Larger than those of Bird Cherry at up to 14cm long, shiny above and with fine forward-pointing teeth on the margin; the midrib on the underside has patches of hairs along it, which help separate this species from other similar cherries. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The flowers are very similar to those of Bird Cherry, but the spike may contain fewer than 30 flowers, the pedicels are shorter and the white petals are toothed at the margins. The black fruits contain a bitter-tasting flesh and a rounded smooth stone. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of N America, planted for timber and ornament in much of Europe, including Britain and Ireland, and naturalised in many places, including S England.
    134686.jpg
  • Judas Tree Cercis siliquastrum (Fabaceae) HEIGHT to 10m <br />
Small, spreading and rather flat-crowned deciduous tree often with more than one bole. BARK Dark grey. BRANCHES Ascending, spreading near tips, with red-brown buds and twigs. Old trees have more drooping branches. LEAVES Simple, alternate and rounded, sometimes notched at tip and heart-shaped at base; smooth above and bluish-green when young, becoming yellow when older; paler and bluer below. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS 5-petalled, pink, pea-like flowers in small short-stalked clusters, opening before leaves and bursting out of bole, large branches and twigs; followed by pods, to 10cm long, slightly constricted around seeds, reddish at first, maturing brown and becoming dehiscent. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of E Mediterranean, planted here as an ornamental tree.
    101856.jpg
  • Wild Pear Pyrus pyraster Rosaceae Height to 15m <br />
Deciduous spreading shrub or small tree. Bark Grey-brown, breaking into square plates. Branches Spreading and spiny; twigs smooth and greyish brown. Leaves To 7cm long, elliptical with toothed margin. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, long-stalked; produced in quantity. Fruits rounded, hard, to 3.5cm across, yellowish brown. Status Local native.
    135148.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.
    132660.jpg
  • Portugal Laurel Prunus lusitanica (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 8m <br />
A small, spreading evergreen tree, or usually a shrub. BARK Smooth or occasionally flaking, and very dark grey to black. BRANCHES Widely spreading, with twigs that are reddish and smooth. LEAVES Dark-green, glossy and slightly leathery, and up to 13cm long. The leaves are lanceolate to elliptical and tapering at the tip, with a rounded base and a toothed margin. The reddish petiole is about 2cm long. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The white flowers are borne in long tapering spikes, up to 26cm long and composed of about 100 strongly scented flowers. They grow out of the leaf axils and exceed the length of the leaves, and are usually pendent. The fruits are up to 1.3cm long, ovoid or rounded with a tapering tip, purplish-black when ripe and containing a smooth, rounded stone with a ridged margin. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of Portugal, Spain and SW France, but frequently planted elsewhere in the milder parts of W Europe, including Britain and Ireland.
    132480.jpg
  • Portugal Laurel Prunus lusitanica (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 8m <br />
A small, spreading evergreen tree, or usually a shrub. BARK Smooth or occasionally flaking, and very dark grey to black. BRANCHES Widely spreading, with twigs that are reddish and smooth. LEAVES Dark-green, glossy and slightly leathery, and up to 13cm long. The leaves are lanceolate to elliptical and tapering at the tip, with a rounded base and a toothed margin. The reddish petiole is about 2cm long. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The white flowers are borne in long tapering spikes, up to 26cm long and composed of about 100 strongly scented flowers. They grow out of the leaf axils and exceed the length of the leaves, and are usually pendent. The fruits are up to 1.3cm long, ovoid or rounded with a tapering tip, purplish-black when ripe and containing a smooth, rounded stone with a ridged margin. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of Portugal, Spain and SW France, but frequently planted elsewhere in the milder parts of W Europe, including Britain and Ireland.
    132481.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.
    132303.jpg
  • Wild Pear Pyrus pyraster Rosaceae Height to 15m <br />
Deciduous spreading shrub or small tree. Bark Grey-brown, breaking into square plates. Branches Spreading and spiny; twigs smooth and greyish brown. Leaves To 7cm long, elliptical with toothed margin. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, long-stalked; produced in quantity. Fruits rounded, hard, to 3.5cm across, yellowish brown. Status Local native.
    134949.jpg
  • Azarole Crategus azarolus (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 8m<br />
A low, spreading tree. BARK Scaly and brown. BRANCHES Twisted and spreading, with numerous thorns. LEAVES As deeply lobed as Oriental Hawthorn but with broader lobes; fine white hairs on both leaf surfaces. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are creamy white and borne in dense clusters; fruits are yellow, to 2cm across. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of the Mediterranean region and planted here occasionally for ornament.
    134861.jpg
  • Azarole Crategus azarolus (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 8m<br />
A low, spreading tree. BARK Scaly and brown. BRANCHES Twisted and spreading, with numerous thorns. LEAVES As deeply lobed as Oriental Hawthorn but with broader lobes; fine white hairs on both leaf surfaces. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are creamy white and borne in dense clusters; fruits are yellow, to 2cm across. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of the Mediterranean region and planted here occasionally for ornament.
    134830.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
  • 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.
    134492.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.
    133835.jpg
  • Portugal Laurel Prunus lusitanica (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 8m <br />
A small, spreading evergreen tree, or usually a shrub. BARK Smooth or occasionally flaking, and very dark grey to black. BRANCHES Widely spreading, with twigs that are reddish and smooth. LEAVES Dark-green, glossy and slightly leathery, and up to 13cm long. The leaves are lanceolate to elliptical and tapering at the tip, with a rounded base and a toothed margin. The reddish petiole is about 2cm long. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The white flowers are borne in long tapering spikes, up to 26cm long and composed of about 100 strongly scented flowers. They grow out of the leaf axils and exceed the length of the leaves, and are usually pendent. The fruits are up to 1.3cm long, ovoid or rounded with a tapering tip, purplish-black when ripe and containing a smooth, rounded stone with a ridged margin. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of Portugal, Spain and SW France, but frequently planted elsewhere in the milder parts of W Europe, including Britain and Ireland.
    133775.jpg
  • Wild Pear Pyrus pyraster Rosaceae Height to 15m <br />
Deciduous spreading shrub or small tree. Bark Grey-brown, breaking into square plates. Branches Spreading and spiny; twigs smooth and greyish brown. Leaves To 7cm long, elliptical with toothed margin. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, long-stalked; produced in quantity. Fruits rounded, hard, to 3.5cm across, yellowish brown. Status Local native.
    133735.jpg
  • Saint Lucie Cherry Prunus mahaleb (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 12m. Often little more than a spreading shrub, but sometimes a small tree. BARK Greyish-brown and ringed with brown lenticels. BRANCHES Spreading, the young twigs covered with short greyish hairs and often slightly weeping at the tips. LEAVES Alternate, up to 7cm long and almost rounded, with a short point at the tip and a rounded or nearly heart-shaped base. The margin is finely toothed, the upper surface is glossy and the lower surface finely downy. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The white, scented flowers, which open in April–May, grow in clusters of 3–10 in groups of racemes at the end of leafy shoots. The 5 petals are about 8mm long and surround the yellowish anthers. The fruit is a 0.6–1cm-long ovate or rounded black berry with bitter-tasting flesh surrounding a smooth rounded stone. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of central and S Europe, growing in woodland glades and thickets. Planted in our region for ornament and naturalised occasionally.
    133711.jpg
  • Southern Evergreen Magnolia or Bull Bay Magnolia grandiflora (Magnoliaceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
A large, spreading evergreen tree with a broadly conical crown. BARK Smooth, dull grey. BRANCHES Large, the youngest shoots covered with thick down and terminate in red-tipped buds. LEAVES Elliptical, to 16cm long and 9cm wide with a smooth or sometimes wavy margin. Upper surface is shiny, dark green, and underside is rust-coloured and downy, as is the 2.5cm-long petiole. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are striking, composed of 6 white petal-like segments, borne at tips of shoots; conical in bud, later opening out to a spreading cup-shape, to 25cm across. Fruit is conical, to 6cm long, composed of scale-like carpels on a single orange stalk. Flowers from midsummer to late autumn. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SE USA, introduced into Europe in 18th century.
    133579.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
  • 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.
    133201.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.
    132720.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.
    132317.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.
    132315.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.
    130416.jpg
  • Wild Pear Pyrus pyraster Rosaceae Height to 15m <br />
Deciduous spreading shrub or small tree. Bark Grey-brown, breaking into square plates. Branches Spreading and spiny; twigs smooth and greyish brown. Leaves To 7cm long, elliptical with toothed margin. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, long-stalked; produced in quantity. Fruits rounded, hard, to 3.5cm across, yellowish brown. Status Local native.
    105824.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.
    105810.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
  • Portugal Laurel Prunus lusitanica (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 8m <br />
A small, spreading evergreen tree, or usually a shrub. BARK Smooth or occasionally flaking, and very dark grey to black. BRANCHES Widely spreading, with twigs that are reddish and smooth. LEAVES Dark-green, glossy and slightly leathery, and up to 13cm long. The leaves are lanceolate to elliptical and tapering at the tip, with a rounded base and a toothed margin. The reddish petiole is about 2cm long. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The white flowers are borne in long tapering spikes, up to 26cm long and composed of about 100 strongly scented flowers. They grow out of the leaf axils and exceed the length of the leaves, and are usually pendent. The fruits are up to 1.3cm long, ovoid or rounded with a tapering tip, purplish-black when ripe and containing a smooth, rounded stone with a ridged margin. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of Portugal, Spain and SW France, but frequently planted elsewhere in the milder parts of W Europe, including Britain and Ireland.
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  • Wild Pear Pyrus pyraster Rosaceae Height to 15m <br />
Deciduous spreading shrub or small tree. Bark Grey-brown, breaking into square plates. Branches Spreading and spiny; twigs smooth and greyish brown. Leaves To 7cm long, elliptical with toothed margin. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, long-stalked; produced in quantity. Fruits rounded, hard, to 3.5cm across, yellowish brown. Status Local native.
    135150.jpg
  • Wild Pear Pyrus pyraster Rosaceae Height to 15m <br />
Deciduous spreading shrub or small tree. Bark Grey-brown, breaking into square plates. Branches Spreading and spiny; twigs smooth and greyish brown. Leaves To 7cm long, elliptical with toothed margin. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, long-stalked; produced in quantity. Fruits rounded, hard, to 3.5cm across, yellowish brown. Status Local native.
    135133.jpg
  • Wild Pear Pyrus pyraster Rosaceae Height to 15m <br />
Deciduous spreading shrub or small tree. Bark Grey-brown, breaking into square plates. Branches Spreading and spiny; twigs smooth and greyish brown. Leaves To 7cm long, elliptical with toothed margin. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, long-stalked; produced in quantity. Fruits rounded, hard, to 3.5cm across, yellowish brown. Status Local native.
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  • Phoenician Juniper Juniperus phoenicia (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 8m. Small evergreen tree, or a spreading shrub. LEAVES Scaly twigs bear 2 types of leaves. Young leaves are up to 1.5cm long and 1mm wide, sharply pointed, showing pale bands on both surfaces; in bunches of 3 spreading at right-angles. Mature leaves are only 1mm long, resembling tiny green scales clasping the twig. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are inconspicuous and borne at ends of shoots, female cones are up to 1.4cm long, rounded and ripening from black through yellowish-green to a deep red in second year. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Mediterranean coasts and Atlantic shores of Portugal.
    134934.jpg
  • Phoenician Juniper Juniperus phoenicia (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 8m. Small evergreen tree, or a spreading shrub. LEAVES Scaly twigs bear 2 types of leaves. Young leaves are up to 1.5cm long and 1mm wide, sharply pointed, showing pale bands on both surfaces; in bunches of 3 spreading at right-angles. Mature leaves are only 1mm long, resembling tiny green scales clasping the twig. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are inconspicuous and borne at ends of shoots, female cones are up to 1.4cm long, rounded and ripening from black through yellowish-green to a deep red in second year. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Mediterranean coasts and Atlantic shores of Portugal.
    134921.jpg
  • Azarole Crategus azarolus (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 8m<br />
A low, spreading tree. BARK Scaly and brown. BRANCHES Twisted and spreading, with numerous thorns. LEAVES As deeply lobed as Oriental Hawthorn but with broader lobes; fine white hairs on both leaf surfaces. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are creamy white and borne in dense clusters; fruits are yellow, to 2cm across. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of the Mediterranean region and planted here occasionally for ornament.
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  • 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.
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  • Rum Cherry (Black Cherry) Prunus serotina (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 22m. A spreading deciduous tree with a stout trunk. BARK Greyish, peeling away in strips and fissured in older trees; a strange, bitter smell is released if the bark is damaged. BRANCHES Spreading and dense, the outer extremes sometimes weeping. LEAVES Larger than those of Bird Cherry at up to 14cm long, shiny above and with fine forward-pointing teeth on the margin; the midrib on the underside has patches of hairs along it, which help separate this species from other similar cherries. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The flowers are very similar to those of Bird Cherry, but the spike may contain fewer than 30 flowers, the pedicels are shorter and the white petals are toothed at the margins. The black fruits contain a bitter-tasting flesh and a rounded smooth stone. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of N America, planted for timber and ornament in much of Europe, including Britain and Ireland, and naturalised in many places, including S England.
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  • Saint Lucie Cherry Prunus mahaleb (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 12m. Often little more than a spreading shrub, but sometimes a small tree. BARK Greyish-brown and ringed with brown lenticels. BRANCHES Spreading, the young twigs covered with short greyish hairs and often slightly weeping at the tips. LEAVES Alternate, up to 7cm long and almost rounded, with a short point at the tip and a rounded or nearly heart-shaped base. The margin is finely toothed, the upper surface is glossy and the lower surface finely downy. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The white, scented flowers, which open in April–May, grow in clusters of 3–10 in groups of racemes at the end of leafy shoots. The 5 petals are about 8mm long and surround the yellowish anthers. The fruit is a 0.6–1cm-long ovate or rounded black berry with bitter-tasting flesh surrounding a smooth rounded stone. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of central and S Europe, growing in woodland glades and thickets. Planted in our region for ornament and naturalised occasionally.
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  • Wild Pear Pyrus pyraster Rosaceae Height to 15m <br />
Deciduous spreading shrub or small tree. Bark Grey-brown, breaking into square plates. Branches Spreading and spiny; twigs smooth and greyish brown. Leaves To 7cm long, elliptical with toothed margin. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, long-stalked; produced in quantity. Fruits rounded, hard, to 3.5cm across, yellowish brown. Status Local native.
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  • 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.
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  • Rum Cherry (Black Cherry) Prunus serotina (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 22m. A spreading deciduous tree with a stout trunk. BARK Greyish, peeling away in strips and fissured in older trees; a strange, bitter smell is released if the bark is damaged. BRANCHES Spreading and dense, the outer extremes sometimes weeping. LEAVES Larger than those of Bird Cherry at up to 14cm long, shiny above and with fine forward-pointing teeth on the margin; the midrib on the underside has patches of hairs along it, which help separate this species from other similar cherries. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The flowers are very similar to those of Bird Cherry, but the spike may contain fewer than 30 flowers, the pedicels are shorter and the white petals are toothed at the margins. The black fruits contain a bitter-tasting flesh and a rounded smooth stone. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of N America, planted for timber and ornament in much of Europe, including Britain and Ireland, and naturalised in many places, including S England.
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  • Southern Evergreen Magnolia or Bull Bay Magnolia grandiflora (Magnoliaceae) HEIGHT to 30m <br />
A large, spreading evergreen tree with a broadly conical crown. BARK Smooth, dull grey. BRANCHES Large, the youngest shoots covered with thick down and terminate in red-tipped buds. LEAVES Elliptical, to 16cm long and 9cm wide with a smooth or sometimes wavy margin. Upper surface is shiny, dark green, and underside is rust-coloured and downy, as is the 2.5cm-long petiole. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are striking, composed of 6 white petal-like segments, borne at tips of shoots; conical in bud, later opening out to a spreading cup-shape, to 25cm across. Fruit is conical, to 6cm long, composed of scale-like carpels on a single orange stalk. Flowers from midsummer to late autumn. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of SE USA, introduced into Europe in 18th century.
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  • 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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  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
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  • Paper-bark Birch (Canoe-bark Birch) Betula papyrifera (Betulaceae) HEIGHT to 23m. A stout, spreading tree. Best recognized by studying its leaves. BARK Mostly white and smooth, flecked with grey or sometimes orange or brown; it peels horizontally into strips. BRANCHES Spreading, the shoots covered in rough warts and a few long hairs. LEAVES Large by birch standards (to 10cm long), dull green and with only 5 pairs of veins; they are borne on hairy stalks. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Catkins, females of which eventually produces winged seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of northern N America from the east to the west coast. It is planted here as an ornamental tree, mainly for the novelty of its bark.
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  • Azarole Crategus azarolus (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 8m<br />
A low, spreading tree. BARK Scaly and brown. BRANCHES Twisted and spreading, with numerous thorns. LEAVES As deeply lobed as Oriental Hawthorn but with broader lobes; fine white hairs on both leaf surfaces. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Flowers are creamy white and borne in dense clusters; fruits are yellow, to 2cm across. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of the Mediterranean region and planted here occasionally for ornament.
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  • 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.
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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 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.
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  • 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.
    157543.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.
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  • 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.
    157503.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.
    144569.jpg
  • Paper-bark Birch (Canoe-bark Birch) Betula papyrifera (Betulaceae) HEIGHT to 23m. A stout, spreading tree. Best recognized by studying its leaves. BARK Mostly white and smooth, flecked with grey or sometimes orange or brown; it peels horizontally into strips. BRANCHES Spreading, the shoots covered in rough warts and a few long hairs. LEAVES Large by birch standards (to 10cm long), dull green and with only 5 pairs of veins; they are borne on hairy stalks. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Catkins, females of which eventually produces winged seeds. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of northern N America from the east to the west coast. It is planted here as an ornamental tree, mainly for the novelty of its bark. COMMENTS The freely peeling bark was once used by Native Americans to make canoes.
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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.
    135417.jpg
  • Wild Pear Pyrus pyraster Rosaceae Height to 15m <br />
Deciduous spreading shrub or small tree. Bark Grey-brown, breaking into square plates. Branches Spreading and spiny; twigs smooth and greyish brown. Leaves To 7cm long, elliptical with toothed margin. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, long-stalked; produced in quantity. Fruits rounded, hard, to 3.5cm across, yellowish brown. Status Local native.
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  • Wild Pear Pyrus pyraster Rosaceae Height to 15m <br />
Deciduous spreading shrub or small tree. Bark Grey-brown, breaking into square plates. Branches Spreading and spiny; twigs smooth and greyish brown. Leaves To 7cm long, elliptical with toothed margin. Reproductive parts Flowers white, 5-petalled, long-stalked; produced in quantity. Fruits rounded, hard, to 3.5cm across, yellowish brown. Status Local native.
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  • Portugal Laurel Prunus lusitanica (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 8m <br />
A small, spreading evergreen tree, or usually a shrub. BARK Smooth or occasionally flaking, and very dark grey to black. BRANCHES Widely spreading, with twigs that are reddish and smooth. LEAVES Dark-green, glossy and slightly leathery, and up to 13cm long. The leaves are lanceolate to elliptical and tapering at the tip, with a rounded base and a toothed margin. The reddish petiole is about 2cm long. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The white flowers are borne in long tapering spikes, up to 26cm long and composed of about 100 strongly scented flowers. They grow out of the leaf axils and exceed the length of the leaves, and are usually pendent. The fruits are up to 1.3cm long, ovoid or rounded with a tapering tip, purplish-black when ripe and containing a smooth, rounded stone with a ridged margin. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of Portugal, Spain and SW France, but frequently planted elsewhere in the milder parts of W Europe, including Britain and Ireland.
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  • Saint Lucie Cherry Prunus mahaleb (Rosaceae) HEIGHT to 12m. Often little more than a spreading shrub, but sometimes a small tree. BARK Greyish-brown and ringed with brown lenticels. BRANCHES Spreading, the young twigs covered with short greyish hairs and often slightly weeping at the tips. LEAVES Alternate, up to 7cm long and almost rounded, with a short point at the tip and a rounded or nearly heart-shaped base. The margin is finely toothed, the upper surface is glossy and the lower surface finely downy. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS The white, scented flowers, which open in April–May, grow in clusters of 3–10 in groups of racemes at the end of leafy shoots. The 5 petals are about 8mm long and surround the yellowish anthers. The fruit is a 0.6–1cm-long ovate or rounded black berry with bitter-tasting flesh surrounding a smooth rounded stone. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION A native of central and S Europe, growing in woodland glades and thickets. Planted in our region for ornament and naturalised occasionally.
    134635.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.
    134476.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.
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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.
    132316.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.
    129851.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.
    129681.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.
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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.
    105821.jpg
  • Phoenician Juniper Juniperus phoenicia (Cupressaceae) HEIGHT to 8m. Small evergreen tree, or a spreading shrub. LEAVES Scaly twigs bear 2 types of leaves. Young leaves are up to 1.5cm long and 1mm wide, sharply pointed, showing pale bands on both surfaces; in bunches of 3 spreading at right-angles. Mature leaves are only 1mm long, resembling tiny green scales clasping the twig. REPRODUCTIVE PARTS Male cones are inconspicuous and borne at ends of shoots, female cones are up to 1.4cm long, rounded and ripening from black through yellowish-green to a deep red in second year. STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION Native of Mediterranean coasts and Atlantic shores of Portugal. Found in old collections in our region.
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  • FIDDLE DOCK Rumex pulcher (Polygonaceae) Height to 30cm. Upright to spreading perennial with branches spreading at right angles. Favours well-drained soil, often near the coast. FLOWERS are borne on spikes in widely separated whorls (Jun-Aug). FRUITS are toothed and have 3 tubercles. LEAVES are up to 10cm, and waisted and violin-shaped. STATUS-Local, and restricted to S England and S Wales.
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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.
    157438.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.
    134143.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.
    144568.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.
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  • 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.
    134908.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
  • 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.
    133838.jpg
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