Tree

An oak can be used to describe over 400 different tree species and is identified by its large stature, widely spreading branches and broad leaves. Oaks drink up to an incredible 50 gallons of water a day and can produce thousands of acorns over its long lifetime.

Ash is a medium to large sized tree with trunks that can reach up to 40m in height. Growing into a tough, white wood which has long drooping branches, the tree produces seeds known as ‘keys’, also known as a fruit called ‘Samara’.

Belonging to the Birch family, Alder is a fast-growing plant which can peak at 15m high, often branching above the base. The oval leaves grown alternatively on twigs are accompanied by small, black, woody cones, known as mature, female catkins.

A large shrub which can grow to 6m high with several stems. The flowers bloom from January to April before the leaves. The clusters of up to four Hazel Nuts are an important food source for squirrels, mice, pigeons, pheasants and jays.

The Spindle can be recognised by it’s white / pale-yellow with lengthy, elliptical, hairless leaves.  The flowers form in clusters of 3-10 and are rich in nectar, attracting small pollinating insects. 

Dogwood can grow up to 2-5 m tall and adorns creamy-white flowers which contain a strong scent attracting many pollinating insects. The black, pea-sized fruits, each containing two stones, are ripe in September. The leaves when young are sources of food for caterpillars and butterflies.

A native shrub of Europe, central and western Asia, Goat Willow has a rough bark and oval, dull-green leaves with a distinctive network of veins. Its flowers are both male (very hairy with black scales, amongst yellow anthers) and female (long, green and slender), but only the male creates nectar and pollen, providing food for bees. 

A native European tree which is fairly small, fast growing and short lived.  A pioneer and light demanding species, it grows rapidly in the first 20 years and matures at 40 years, however they can live up to 80 years old.  Grows best on dry sandy soils and can grow to 25-30m tall.

Typically 25-35m tall with a typical lifespan of 150-200 years but has been recorded at 300 years old.  A native deciduous tree which starts to flower at 30-80 years also produces beech nuts, an important food source for birds. 

Native in much cooler temperate of the northern hemisphere, the larch is a deciduous conifer growing from 15-50m tall.  It has needle like leaves and produces cones 1-9cm long. 

Originating from Spain, the White Poplar is grown in moist sites, often by watersides. The trunk, with smooth, greenish-white-grey bark with diamond-shaped dark marks, can grow to nearly 30m high.